thrown in a slanting direction.

Symbolic Stage of Child's Development.

In order to present the ball in a more attractive light in the
kindergarten, to suit it to the symbolic stage of the child's
development, and to bring it nearer to his sympathies, we constantly,
in our play, suppose it to be something which it resembles in certain
of its characteristics. By its color, it may represent a fruit, a
flower, or a gayly dressed child; by its form, an egg, a downy
chicken, a tiny duckling; by its mobility, a bird, a squirrel, a baby;
or when fastened to its string, a bucket in the well, a toy wagon, a
pendulum, or a pet lamb tethered by the roadside.

The child is always at home in the world of "make-believe," and
delights in the stories and the many charming songs to which this
imaginative use of the ball gives rise.

Perhaps we may wisely remind ourselves, however, that though the
child's fancy is most vivid, and though the ball is well adapted to
represent many objects, yet if it resemble in no single point the
thing to which we liken it, we are indulging in empty imaginings which
will only hinder the child's comprehension of truth.[16]

[16] "The resemblance of the symbol to the thing signified
is a very important matter in education, especially in
kindergarten education."--Geo. P. Brown, _Essentials of
Educational Psychology._

Cooperative Exercises.

The teacher who truly understands the great principles on which
Froebel built the kindergarten will ever be mindful of one of the
highest of these,--"the brotherly union of those who are like-minded."
Even in the simple plays with the first gift, group work is easily
possible. The stringing of the first gift beads or the supplementary
modeling in clay may be made into a cooperative exercise, the work
with the balls at the sand-table may have a similar aim, and many of
the ball games are well fitted to unite the whole community of
children, older and younger, in a common aim, a common purpose.[17]

[17] "If, therefore, genuine brotherliness, ... consideration
and respect for playmates and fellow-men, are again to become
prevalent, they can become so only by being connected with
the feeling of community abiding in each man (however much or
little of it may be found), and by fostering this feeling
with the greatest care."--Friedrich Froebel, _Education of
Man_, page 74.

What we should strive for.

We must rem