Child psychology Vol-2 by Vilhelm Rasmussen

The sub-title of this book is in reality illogical, for the two children who have been especially studied and who are the subject of this book, have not attended a kindergarten for any considerable period. A trial was made with the eldest child, R., when she was four years and five months old, but unsuccessfully. Before the event R. was greatly excited at the thought of playing with so many other children, and accompanied her mother expectantly. But upon her return home it was obvious that she had been disappointed, and, contrary to custom, she said very little about her experiences. “We built a house with a big door,” and “The mistress sang about a bird that flew,” was all she had to report.

Desiring to form an estimate of the kindergarten, I went there one day, and, I must admit, was not favourably impressed. The mistress did not possess the necessary qualifications for her position; and as R. with good reason found the proceedings wearisome, she was, after about a month’s trial, taken away again.