Douglas Daily Dispatch

KINDERGARTEN FIRST STARTED IN GERMAN CITY

WASHINGTON, (P)—Although the kindergarten was originated in Germany 90 years ago by Friedrich Froebel, it has flourished on a broader scale in the United States than in Europe, and America has been able to "export" ideas on this branch of education for a number of years.

Nevertheless, Europe has not been depleted of idea sources. The summer lull in kindergarten activities is being utilized by a number of American leaders in the training of little folks to study conditions there and to take part in the American dedication, July 21, at Lievin, France, of a national shrine to their work.

The tour was arranged for friends of the International Kindergarten Union and the Kindergarten Unit of France largely through the efforts of Miss Annie Laws, Cincinnati philanthropist, who died July 1. The Kindergarten Unit of France was organized during the war by the international union and the American Red Cross. The shrine at Lievin, toward which many Americans contributed, marks the 10th anniversary of its work.

The unit has established play-school "gardens of children" in the devastated regions, many of them on such an effective basis as to win the praise of authorities in his country.

These and other kindergartens in France, Germany and other countries will be visited by the American party. It includes such leaders as Miss Ella Ruth Boyce, director of kindergartens at Pittsburgh; Miss Stella Louise Wood of Minneapolis, Minn., and Miss Fannie A. Smith of Bridgeport, Conn.