KINDERGARTEN AS A BASIS FOR LIFE. 347 
most impressive and earnest, as embodied in his great work, ‘¢ Menschen 
Erziehung ” (Education of Man), he still gives the foremost place in his 
educational theory and practice to the family thought as expressed in his 
book, ¢¢ Mutter und Kose Lieder.” 
The ever-increasing experience of Froebel, as he came in contact with 
many families, taught him that parents are far from fulfilling their 
obligations, and in his deeply significant paper, dated 1836, called the 
‘« Renewing of Life,” he calls out, full of spirit: ¢ In the family environ- 
ment alone, man reaches that point which causes his soul to radiate and 
his life to be fulfilled ; but even then is this accomplished only as the 
family recognizes itself a medium of love, light, and life. The key- 
note for a higher plane of human development can only be sounded when 
man is seen as one member of an organized whole—a unity made up of 
many members.” 
Once more Froebel deliberated, looking back over his accumulated 
experience and asking himself seriously this question: ¢“ Can family life, 
the home environment, satisfy the high demand of the present stage of 
human development, in order that it may reach unto and culminate in an 
ever renewing of life ?” 
Answering himself earnestly and conclusively, he said, No.” He 
turned aside in 1836 from his previous cfforts in connection with schools 
and the training of boys; he must search out new ways in order to reach 
a more certain and rational education. And now he comes upon his 
kindergarten. In a public call sent out in 1840, we find that he by no 
means considered this merely as an institute of learning, but that he 
demanded a complete development, fitted for all life, for those who were 
;0 lead little children. 
He demanded a union of practical power to do, with scientific knowl- 
edge, for the true development of the child. He looked to the womanhood 
of Germany to found his ideal institute, but they did not yet understand 
him. The essential means with which to establish a training-school for 
the guardians of children were not forthcoming, and he must needs be 
satisfied to open the work along its several lines rather than produce it at 
once as a complete organization. One of these lines was the kindergarten, 
and the training of worthy kindergartners to be worthy assistants to the 
mother, as well as prepared to be the future mothers of children ; and 
in this way he determined, little by little, to elevate the entire family 
culture. 
Out of this struggle and ideal he produced the ¢¢ Mutter und Kose 
Lieder.” He spoke the inclusive words : <The family of the new time 
must behold itself a unit,” and this thought still overflows with meaning 
For us all. It is emphasized and enlarged upon in his “Mother Play ” 
songs. The very labor which provides physical comforts to the various 
members of the family, and which falls chiefly to the hand of woman, is