Begin at the Beginning
Files
Title
Begin at the Beginning
Description
Pamphlet advocating for compulsory kindergarten as a means to Americanization. Written by Philander Priestly Claxton, former United States Commissioner of Education, and David Starr Jordan, Chancellor Emeritus, Leland Stanford Junior University.
Excerpt:
"THE CHILD IS THE FATHER OF THE MAN
The way to 'Americanize' foreigners as well as the native born is to commence at the beginning or as near there as possible. The idea of a kindergarten, like that of any other form of garden, is to give proper culture and to give it early, when it is most needed. The most important duty of any people is to care for its children. In the schools of today the future of the nation is written. And to the kindergarten all higher schools must look for the initiative of their work. All other forms of 'national defense' dwindle into impertinent insignificance when compared with the training of the children."
Excerpt:
"THE CHILD IS THE FATHER OF THE MAN
The way to 'Americanize' foreigners as well as the native born is to commence at the beginning or as near there as possible. The idea of a kindergarten, like that of any other form of garden, is to give proper culture and to give it early, when it is most needed. The most important duty of any people is to care for its children. In the schools of today the future of the nation is written. And to the kindergarten all higher schools must look for the initiative of their work. All other forms of 'national defense' dwindle into impertinent insignificance when compared with the training of the children."
Creator
Claxton, P. P.
Source
M 9 Box 103 Adèle Goodman Clark papers, 1849-1978, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries
Publisher
National Kindergarten Association
Date
[1921?]
Contributor
Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries
Rights
The organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
Notes
Learn more:
Kindergartens: A History - 1886, Social Welfare History Project
Americanization, Social Welfare History Project
Kindergartens: A History - 1886, Social Welfare History Project
Americanization, Social Welfare History Project
Collection
Citation
Claxton, P. P. , “Begin at the Beginning,” Social Welfare History Image Portal, accessed December 22, 2024, https://images.socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/items/show/3.