The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-03-05
SCHOOL INSTRUCTION..


departed husband.
SCHOOL INSTRUCTION.
A large number of persons entertain
the idea that education consists of what is
usually learned at school. Education,
however, is of very comprehensive ma
ture, and includes the forming Of charac-
ter in youth. That which is taught at
school is at best but very limited kind of
education; it refers principally to the ac-
QUESTION OF certain kinds Of technical
knowledge, and therefore chiefly concerns
the intellect We can, indeed, imagine
the possibility of character-forming edu-
cation at school; but in the present state of
things, such is rarely realized What the
schoolmaster imparts is instruction, not
education in its entire sense; and we men,
ton this, in order that parents may see
the propriety of not expecting too much
from their children by attending schools
School attendance, however, is not val
ueless in moral sense. 1t creates habits
of order, attention to time, and is useful
| in lowering those notions Of set-esteem
which children educated in solitude are
apt to form. One of the most serious err
rors.in ordinary schooling is the practice
Of competition among pupils. The holding
out of prizes for proficiency inspires tu-
mutuary passions in youth; and conquest
is only achieved by dashng the hopes Of
others. But this is not the worst of its evils.
1t is often attended by physical as well as
moral injury. The eager striving to gain
prizes frequently leads 10 undue excite
ment in the brain, which ends in disease
and death. Whether for the paltry triumph
of seeing their children carry off prize,
or for the pleasure of seeing them prodi-
gies o. learning, parents are equally bla.
mable in urging too close attention to stu
dies.
Some children manifest an extraordina-
ry aptitude for learning while still very
young. They will be observed to learn
lesson or commit hymns to memory with
marvellous ease. This precocity, as be-
ing considered mark OF genius, usually
delights parents. They are not aware of
what they are admring. Precocity is an
unnatural development of brain; it is the
beginning of functional arrangement, and
if not checked, will probably lead to mel
ancholy consequences. In children Of
tender constitutions, precocity is almost
uniformly fatal
Parents should not give themselves any
vexation aboutthe apparent backwardness
of their children in school learning. In
most instances, pupils get forward as
quickly as is necessary, and at all events
as fast as their faculties will admit Of
Some children, indeed, will require to be
inspirited by every proper admonition; but
if they seem to do all that is in their pow
er, they ought not to be rebuked. TO
blame a child because he is behind his
fellows. would in many cases be as absurd
as to blame him for not being able to
WELD the sledge hammer. After all, pro-
fciency at school is found to be no certain
indication of success in life. Generally,
he who has the best memory is the best
scholar; and as vast many things be-
sides memory are required to make an ac-
complished man, it not unfrequently hap
pens that boys who made poor figure at
school, display great energy of purpose
OH reaching manhood.
Five years Of age is early enough for
the commencement of attendance at school,
though before that period children may be
taught their letters at home. The elemen-
tary branches of instruction are reading,
writing and arithmetic; and these all
should learn. The higher branches may
l. l. 1roxu
ing, foreign and classical languages, mu-
sic, &C.; and instruction in these depart
ments is less or more given, according to
the means Of parents, and other crcum-
stances.
On this subject we must confne our
selves to general recommendations. Chill
dren possess not only different degrees OF
aptitude, but different manifestation offac-
ulties. Some have an inclination to learn
one thing, and some another; one boy
will show strong taste for mathematics,
another will be equally bent on learning
classical languages. On the whole, is
best not to thwart these dispositions; they
only need to be regulated according to
professional views.
As a general advice, we should say, give
your children as good school education
as your means will admit Of. Saving in
this branch Of expenditure is poor econo-
my; for nothing yields as good return as
liberal education. Select also the most
respectable schools and teachers. lfgov-
ernesses need to be hired for your daugh-
ters, offer and pay suitable salary for
their valuable services. "