Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-16
A TEACHER.
PEsTALOZZps METuOD.


PESTALOZZps METHOD.
Pestalozzi has given the name Of method,
to new system of instruction conceived by
him, which he is laboring to bring to perfec-
ton, and every day appears to afford a pros
pect OF complete success
The end he proposes, is to unfold that prin-
ciple OF reason in the infant mind inherent in
his intelligent nature, which to be acquired
needs only to be cultivated, even in his most
tender age, power which persons hardly
suspect to have any existence.
He wishes to profit by these carly wears, at
present so much neglected : he wishes the
mother, in the midst of her daily occupations,
to become the first instructor of her child, in
awaking his understanding to Just concerto
ons, even in his cradle, by directing his atten-
ton to such objects as he is able to grasp,
and furnishing his memory with perfectly
clear and Ineligible ideas
He wishes by these means to fill up the
chasm usually found in the generality of edu-
cational methods, either public or private
that is, before he begins his instruction, he
wishes to put his child in a situation to re-
ceive ideas.
The basis of his elementary instruction is
intuition, which he considers as tho general
foundation of our knowledge, and the most
proper means for unfolding in the most natu-
raj manner the intellectual powers of the hui
man mind
lie seeks to form the judgment of the child
by speaking to his eyes; a system which
ought not to be confounded with those found
IN books called elementary. every day an
pearing under new forms, whose authors pre-
tend, at least, to give figures accompanied
with definitions and explanations absolutely
above the capacity of those to whom they are
ri led tod y, n e
of knowledge
PEsTALozzI proceeds onward with a
pace always proportional to the intellectual
strength of his pupils. The method imparts
the most simple and ineligible truths
Ills fundamental principles consists in be-
ginning with the easiest things, in order to
give the child perfect knowledge of them
before he advances further; so as to add no
more, by regularly graduated pace, than a
few truths to these already perfectly appre-
hen6ed.
IRtuition% is derived from Latin word
which signifies to see, to consider closely and
to the bottom. In philosophic language it is
usually employed to designate the sight of
the interior sense, or of the soul. The i'm
preston received by the exterior senses. and
principally bythat of vision Cor sight) is quick
ly communicated to the soul, which, by this
meaps, acquires sensation or consciousness
of the object
This representation of the object, seized
upon by the soul, is called intuition. It's
growth may be such, that man, by the aid
OF imagination and memory, may enjoy the
sight OF all the objects of which his eye trans
mits to him distinct sensation, even while
| they cease to affect the latter, and that in so
lively manner as though they were CONT
nually present.
An intuitive mode Of instruction then, is
that which causes the child ito touch with his
| finger and his eye, whatever is to be taught
! him, even truths Of the most complicated ma
| ture.
1t is necessary here, that he be enabled to
| behold the evidence, so to speak, even to pal
| pitation. We easily understand, ifthe means
| to obtain such a result can be discovered, the
child's journey will necessarily be rendered
the safest and the happiest possible.
| The author then proceeds He (the child)
| advances thas without any skipping or leav-
/ ing out; a new idea presented TO him flows
/ necessarily from the one which IS about To be
| inculcated, and that which has hitherto i'm
| peded his instruction, the knowledge of the
:hing, is always closely Connected with that
| Of the true acceptation Of the word which
serves to express it.
! A child taken at a favorable age, say, at
! n1cst, IN his eighth year, and WHO shall have
/ followed exactly the different exercises Of the
method, will contend disadvantage0usly with
those little professors Of twelve years, who ut
ter with importance the phrases with which
| their memories are surchargcd he will not
reason like then specifically on great num-
Der of subjects, but he viii comprehend ali ne
says, be viii be master of it completely.
The habit be will have acquired uf rsver
! going forward until lie has mastered the Cor
| mcr truths which have been presented to him.
will direct his labors in the different branches
Of study in which he shall engage and every
person who recollects the first essays Of his
infancy (he above all others who has been
called 90 live amongst children, and to teach
them) cannot but be sensibly struck with the
real superiority that such habit ought to
-
This definition Of intuition, in tho original. is i,
serted by way Of note, snd causes small deres
son from dDect continuation Of the exposition