“A superficial mind does not grasp it,
  A gentle mind does not hate it,
  A coarse mind makes fun of it,
  A thoughtful mind alone tries to get at it.”

“Froebel[1] considers it his duty to picture the home as it ought to be, not by writing a book of theories and of rules which are easily forgotten, but by accompanying a mother in her daily rounds through house, garden, and field, and by following her to workshop, market, and church.  He does not represent a woman of fashion, but prefers one of humbler station, whom he clothes in the old German housewife style.  It may be a small sphere she occupies, but there she is the centre, and she completely fills her place.  She rejoices in the dignity of her position as educator of a human being whom she has to bring into harmony with God, nature, and man.  She thinks nothing too trifling that concerns her child.  She watches, clothes, feeds, and trains it in good habits, and when her darling is asleep, her prayers finish the day.  She may not have read much about education, but her sympathy with the child suggests means of doing her duty.  Love has made her inventive; she discovers means of amusement, for play; she talks and sings, sometimes in poetry and sometimes in prose.  From mothers in his circle of relations and friends, Froebel has learned what a mother can do, and although he had no children of his own, his heart vibrated instinctively with the feelings of a mother’s joy, hope, and fear.  He did not care about the scorn of others, when he felt he must speak with an almost womanly heart to a mother.  His own loss of a mother’s tender care made him the more appreciate the importance of a mother’s love in early infancy.  The mother in his book makes use of all the impressions, influences, and agencies with which the child comes in contact:  she protects from evil; she stimulates for good; she places the child in direct communication with nature, because she herself admires its beauties.  She has a right feeling towards her neighbors, and to all those on whom she depends.  A movement of arms and feet teaches her that the child feels its strength and wants to use it.  She helps, she lifts, she teaches; and while playing with her baby’s hands and feet she is never at a loss for a song or story.

[Footnote 1:  Eleonore Heerwart.]

“The mother also knows that it is necessary to train the senses, because they are the active organs which convey food to the intellect.  The ear must hear language, music, the gentle accents and warning voices of father and mother.  It must distinguish the sounds of the wind, of the water, and of pet animals.

“The eyesight is directed to objects far and near, as the pigeons flying, the hare running, the light flickering on the wall, the calm beauty of the moon, and the twinkling stars in the dark blue sky.”

Of the effect of Froebel’s symbolic songs and games, with melodious music and appropriate gesture, kindergartners all speak enthusiastically.  They know that—­