Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-09
NM Ia;o.ie Asyium-How Idiots arc Taught.

Ohio Idio:ie Asyium-HOw Idiots arc Taught
The most recent, and one of the noblest OF
our State Benevolent Institutions st Columbus
is the Idiotic Asylum. No Asylum building
has vet been erected, but comfortable house
has been rented and fitted upas home for the
uufortunates, and in the school seventeen
scholars are being elevated from the most hope
less and helpless mental darkness into the dawn
inos of mind and soul. The ages Of the pupils
range from eight to sixteen years, and they are
taught to stand, to walk, to handle, to count, TO
sing, to make figures on the black board, TO read
one word at time, which is always name or
noun of simple meaning. Their appearance is
diotic, eyes not bright, mouths are oPen' and
thew have generally compression OF the nose
and upper lip. The presence of strangers e1-
eli es no curiosity they seldom or never smile and
are literally breathing bodies without minds.
To instruct such miserably dormant beings
seems indeed hopeless task. 1t is done, how
ever, but requires a patience and tact few pos
sess. A Connecticut lady who has been visit
inr the State Institutions at Columbus, has
written an interesting account of the Idioiic
Asylum for the Hartford COaraAt, giving clear
and simple exposition OF the manner of manag-
ing and edueating the most sad of the children
of misfortune 1t should be read by all parents
and youths, for it is instructive as well as
touching.
Their teacher-who loves her work, and
whose enthusiastic geutleness, ingenuity and
tact. elicit the admiration OF every yisitor-said
she had no idea they could read in the usual
books for children. All they aim to teach them
is 10 express their most common desires, to dress
and undress, eat properly, keep themselves
from danger, and perhaps be OF use in some de-
gree TO their friends, instead Of being helpless,
dependent for the supply Of every want, a care
and q burden. If indeed they can be raised
even so far IN the scale of being, how much bet
ter their condition. and this Is what the most
patient, selfdenying training Is accomplishing
for them. They are taught, among the earliest
lessons, 10 string buttons of different sizes. two
and two Of the same size-to replace blocks Of
various shapes each one in the mould prepared
for ito distinguish eC'ors by selecting cards
of the same hue from large packs, and to keep
time to music by stamping, clapPing and march
/ ing A piano is in the room, and music Il add
ed to their instruction, enough to please them
and vary their exercises. They all formed a
circle round the piano and lifted the right foot,
and elapped both hands in time; then formed a
line and marched with dumb-5elis, knocking
them together as they stamped their feet
The object seemed TO be TO teach them reg
ular motion, regular intervals OF time and how
to make noise They seemed to enjoy this
] Il tbas- rauah fhOuuh
did not see them laugh, and only one INDUCED in
any independent movement of his arms. Their
exercises are changed every fifteen minutes
through the day, so as to produce constant
mentl Al and physical action, and enable them to
sleep sOunay.
But the most wonderful thing was their read
/ ing. They have about fifty words, names OF
what they wear, and eat, and see, with no con
Meeting words and no adjectives, printed upon
cards about four inches IN length, by two in
width noticed they used no capitals, PrObs-
bly, not to confuse them with the characters-
Three children were called TO the table aud
showed the words, on the cards one by one
They know them all though they can not tell
one letter separately. For instance-the teach
er asked, Charlie what is thisl button, answer
ed Charlie in an uniformed, drawing tone
Where are your buttonsi and Charlie points TO
the brass ones on his coat
Eliza, what is thisl Shawl, in the same
tone. What is it for To wear. To wear
wherel on your headl No, on my shoulders.
Charlie, what is this Pie. What DO you do
with piei Eat it. What is this wordl Tree.
What grows on treesl Apples. What else!
Peaches What do you see now, on that tree
out of the window Leaves"
Now it would be impossible for this child to
spell b-u t-t-o-n, for he does not know single
letter, yet he pronounces the whole word i'm
mediately Thus, if by unwearied patience,
they can learn the common names of surround
ing objects, if they can say button my coat, or
where is my shawl they are rendered less
helpless, less burdensome. What work -
What condescensionl to go back of all we gen
erally teach, and tell those poor children how
to speak, and how to ask. One beautiful boy,
except that his large eyes were vacant, as been
whole year learning to sit up straight and
stand, by the aid of an iron adjustment for one
foot, alone in the floor. He can take a few steps
with help, and make with trembling hand strag-
Cling marks on the slate, but can not talk dis
tinctly He is perhaps ten years old, and has
been sick from infancy.
Two more lately received, were in still
more hopeless condition, being unable to artle-
ulate, to recognize persons, even to swallow,
unless particles of food are placed IN their
mouths; one drOOled ike baby-a Pitiful
sight. -,
Parents, mothers, let US have patience with
our children What if our boys 90 shOut, drum
on tin pans, tear their aprons climbing trees,
wade in the mud, and make US all the trouble
they can. They are stout, strong, active and
bright Think of these sad, miserable little
beings, who must be taught all this to awaken
their dormant energies, to arouse them to mo
ton and activity and do not chide. Rejoice
that your children are not idiots.