A woman’s trip to Germany transformed education
for American children. Susan Blow, an educated woman from Missouri, traveled to
Europe on the grand tour in 1871 and, while there, Blow became interested in
the work of Friedrich Froebel, a leader in early education who also coined the
term “kindergarten” or “children’s garden.” Froebel thought education should
start early, through play activities and creative expression.[1]
 |
| Susan Elizabeth Blow - image from womenscouncil.org |
Though her father offered to fund a private
kindergarten, Blow wanted to work in the public school system. With the support
of the St. Louis superintendent of schools, William Torrey Harris, Blow studied
Froebel’s methods under his disciple, Maria Kraus-Boelte, in New York City for
a year. Harris’ reasons for support were slightly less altruistic, as he wanted
to keep poor children off the streets of St. Louis and to teach them “habits of
cleanliness,” in addition to providing a little education for them.[2]
When Blow returned from New York City, the St. Louis school board accepted her
offer to direct the first public kindergarten in the United States.
 |
| The Des Peres elementary school: home of Blow's kindergarten - image from carondolethisoricalsociety.org |
Using Froebel’s methods, Blow’s kindergarten
program was so successful that the number of kindergarteners grew from 68 in
1873 to almost 9,000 throughout St. Louis by 1884.[3]
There were 53 kindergarten classrooms in St. Louis by 1879.[4]
Blow trained other kindergarten teachers, lectured throughout the country, and
translated many of Froebel’s works into English. As her obituary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said, Susan
Blow’s “name will live as a leader in the mental development of the young.”[5]
 |
| Des Peres kindergarten classroom - image from historyhappenshere.org |
Blow’s and Froebel’s methods became the standard
in the American public school system.[6]
The importance of early childhood education continues to be recognized today. In
his most recent State of the Union address, President Obama said, “In states
that make it a priority to educate our youngest children…studies show students
grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school,
hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this
works. So let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the
race of life already behind.”[7]
- Jodi C.
[1]
“Women in History: Susan Blow, Founder of U.S. Kindergartens,” History Happens
Here!: The Missouri History Museum’s Blog, accessed August 23, 2013, http://www.historyhappenshere.org/node/6931.
[2]
“Women in History: Susan Blow, Founder of U.S. Kindergartens.”
[3]
“Women in History: Susan Blow, Founder of U.S. Kindergartens.”
[4]
“Susan Blow,” The State Historical Society of Missouri Historic Missourians,
accessed August 23, 2013, http://shs.umsystem.edu/historicmissourians/name/b/blow/index.html
[5]
“Susan E. Blow.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, MO. March 28,
1916. p. 14, col. 3.
[6]
‘Miss Blow Who Put Kindergartens Here, Dies in East’ St. Louis
Post-Dispatch, March 27, 1916, p. 3.
[7]
“Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address,” The
New York Times, accessed August 25, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/us/politics/obamas-2013-state-of-the-union-address.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0.
