Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-23

The Mental Development Of Chill
S Genc.Mc Beg.nn.ng Of lntcIli-
operate with the Specialists.
AZ the meeting OF the American Social Science
Association at Saratoga last summer. I'm a
paper on .Ktndergartens," 1t was suggested
growth OF children. Much time has been spsnt
by men In studying the habits of plants and
animals, and In discussing the Intelligence OF
animals; put no one has thought It matter of
OF intelligence, and follow from that the further
mental development OF the child, tracing it step
py step until every faculty alive and active It
becomes thinking and reasoning being. Ger
tainly here Is an interesting Psychological
Held Tor explorers. and 1t Is as yet un.
trodden D., Al this found echo In tAe
hearts OF those interested in children and In
educational matters, and it was Seriously con-
sidered as work quite within the province OF
the committee on education. It seemed hope
have any definite idea how 1t was to be entered
upon, and the committee separated without any
plan OF action. 1t die not rest there, however.
for Mrs. Emily Talbot, of this city, who Is the
secretary, and an active member OF the COM
mittee, set herself at once to work to find the
way TO make the beginning. It seemed neces.
sary first TO gain certain facts regarding chill
dren which should furnish the necessary data
to work from; these facts once collected coutd
be put into the hands OF the specialists, aud
they coulo consider and make their deductions
furnished by the mother or nurse, and the first
thing obviously seemed TO be to interest the
mothers and make them notice and register
certain acts OF the child which indicate, hrst,
consciousness and then thought Mrs Talb15
consulted with Professor Pryor, Professor II Ar
rls and Professor Hall, all OF them scientific
men. and men interested 10 all development OF
the race. They approved the plan, and thought
she was going to work In the most practical
manner possible to achieve the results and
gave her many valua able hints and suggestions
a<nlR s4y,-
ration for mothers. and OF which ten thousand
nave already been distributed. The circular,
after setting forth its object presents list of
questions with blank spaces for the replies
These blanks are to be filled out and returned
to Mrs. Talbot, the contents noted and CON-
pared, and table OF averages made, which
VIII be the first thing the specialists viii have
tons asked are the parentage OF the bapy's
father and mother, the nationality; the baby's
weight at birth and at stated periods during
the nrSt year OF Its life; Its physical condition:
the age at which 1t first exhibited conscious
ness, and In what manner; aG what age did it
smile, recognize 1t mother, notice It's hand,
n toilow "a llgn5 with Its eyes, hold uo It's
by chair. stand alone, walk alone;
hold playtniDg when put into its hand;
reach rel out and take piaything; appear to
OF pin; show like or dislike In TASTE appear
sensible TO sound; notice the light Of q window
or turn towards II; fear the heat from stove or
CRATE; speak, and what did 1t say; how many
words could It say at one year, at eighteen
months, and at two years. The thing now most
necessary to be done, is to get the co operation
or the mothers, and this, although 1t may not
be done at once, will not be difficult when 1t is
understood how vital matter it Is, aud how
little care on their part will be the means OF
opening new realm of psychology, which
shall not only be OF the greatest interest, but
also OF untold value. There Is no mother that
does not take delight in watching the NaKenlng
faculties OF her child, and every new act OF
Intelligence is new happiness to her. She
watches for the first CLEAN of recognition In
the bsby's eyes; the first flicker OF smile
about the, the rosy baby mouth and the first ap
meet hers, gives thrill OF happiness
that is not equalled until the baby lips for
the first time, calls MAMA" So the task
Mrs. Talbot sets is not hard one merely to
ness to her as they occur, and send them as re-
quested. The labor comes arterTard ia the
classification and comparison. Certainly the
experiment Is worth trying, and no one can
true that research OF this kind VIII bring 10
light some very remarkable facts, and there ia
no reason why In time 1t may result In very
useful knowledge which shall be Of the utmost
service not only TO mothers In training aud d.
recttng the mental faculties Of their children,
but TO all interested In their education and ad-
vancement. II any persons are interested to
see for themselves what the work Is that the
educational department of tina Social Science
Association is attempting, they may Learn by
sending for circular to Mrs. Emily Talbot, No.
IS Marlborough street. Mothers who are In.
terested would do we'll to Investigate the SUBJ
Ject, and give what aid they can In the begin
nfng as the committee desire 10 get as m any
facts as possible before the next meeting OF tie
association, and the more responses they have
10 the circular the sooner will they be ready to
put the Woik from their hands Into the waiting
hands OF the specialists. Boston Advertiser.