JENNY B. MERRILL SUPERVISOR OF KINDERGAR MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY 1903 1661 PREFACE HE general purpose of this kindergarten course is to multiply the experiences and broaden the horizon of the city child by taking him on imaginary trips to the small parks near his home, to Central Park, to the seashore and to a farm. In returning, his attention is directed to the busy street in which he lives, to the many workmen he sees about him, and lastly to his own home, to his family and neighbors. A word of explanation in regard to the order of topics seems necessary, as it is usual for kindergartners to begin with the home rather than to end with it. It is by no means intended to omit the home until the last week, as will be seen by referring to the conversations suggested for Monday and Tuesday of the first week. Indeed, in conversation, song and game, the home appears prominently throughout the whole course. The usual order, however, is reversed, for two reasons. In the first place, the children who usually attend vacation kindergartens lack experience, many of them never having had a ride even in a street car. Hence a visit to a place of interest seems the most desirable starting point, even though it be in imagination. In the second place, the order chosen seems best, because it is advisable to take the children |