Thousands of teachers have vied with each other in applying them in nature study with most gratifying results. An important discovery has been made almost at the same time by many of them. The lively interest aroused by the bird presented, the agreeable sensations the child experiences in relating incidents and hearing, from his mates and teacher about its habits, and the reminiscences of delightful outdoor experiences, all tend to warm the child to enthusiasm. This point of warmth is the supreme opportunity of the teacher.
Instruction given under such a glow is intensely educative.
A few minutes of such work is worth hours of effort where the child is but indifferently aroused. Many of the best first primary teachers do not begin to teach reading during the first few weeks of the child in school. They aim, first, to establish a bond of sympathy between themselves and their pupils, to extend their range of ideas, and to expand their powers of expression. Expression is induced and encouraged along all lines, by words, music, drawing, color work, and physical motions. The common things of life are discussed, experiences related, and the imagination brought strongly into play.