Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-01-02
MODERN EDUCATION.


Our latest educational methods are
based upon the theory that mental
action is most effective when following
the line of the least resistance. 1t is
upon this hypothesis that kindergar-
ten schools are established. Study is
made play, for the reason that action
connected with play meets with less
resistance. in a child's mind, than any
other expenditure of energy. Socie-
ties are formed for the purpose of
noting the characteristics Of childhood.
Very careful records are made of
every trait, popularity, fancy, whim,
detail of plays, and inclination in any
direction, whether marked or slight.
Mothers are encouraged to keep a
daily diary-for the benefit of peda-
CORY of each child in the family, its
spontaneous conduct. emitting nothing
that in any way pertains to its natural
inclinations. From these sources in
structors obtain the key to the child's
education. They 60 TO the child to
learn how to teach it.
This may all sound very plausible
and exceedingly advanced in sentiment
but it is q question whether the the
ory, that the most efficient mental ac-
ton is gained by following The line of
least resistance, will hold good in ap-
plication. Among physical agents we
find that a force, left TO follow the line
of the least resistance, is Likely TO
prove disastrous TO its own energy
aud to whatever it acts upon. The
inventive genius of man has developed
to an almost superhuman degree in de-
vising methods for regulating the la
tural forces, bringing them under his
control and bending them to his will.
Fire is most efficient servant but 4
terrible master. May it not be that
much of the spontaneity OF childhood
needs to be held firmly within pre-
scribed channel in order 10 turn it
into power for good? Is there not
DANCE, if ii is allowed 10 seek its
own line OF action, that of the least
resistance, of its becoming a most
unreasonable master? There has
been a growing tendency
for some time in America in large
proportion of homes, for parents to
become subject to their children. If
thing he must not be forced into
obedience. Freedom of action is
necessary to his full development. The
''divine frenzy of mother love" see in
this epitome of nature an object to
be revered. All expressions of nature
are now held in higher reverence than
in John Caluin's time. Ii is not to be
wondered at that this sentiment should
spread 10 The body of public instruC-
tors. There are few influences but
what, in some way or other have their
origin in the homes.
II is very true that children consti-
tTte both a great public and private
interest. Their future cannot be re-
garded to highly, for there is no other
source from which to obtain our pres
idents. our civil service reiormers, our
boards of trade, orr trunk line auto
Gratis. our police force and our crimi-
mails. The rising generation take cur
places and it is a matter of personal
interest that they receive the best
training possible to our refined civil
cation. The point is whether the
rearing along the liHe of the least re-
sisiance is the education best adapted
TO produce generation of strong
sense and judgement. There are
MANY characters still fresh III the
memory of our country for
their powers of Intelligent action, who
were brought up under quite differ
emf regime from the one based on the
theory Of the least resistance; men who
in their childhood, understood the
meaning of the term obedience, for
whom work was work and not play,
lessons were lessons and not
games.
Why is Il small company of ''regu-
lars" able to queil riotous multitude?
Because the uniforms have been
through the rugged discipline of M
varying obedience, following e line
laid down for them, line beset with
all kinds of resistences which had to
be overcome. No one can control
without first learning to obey.
Ii may not accord with a child's
natural inclination to sit up straight
in a seat and commit TO memory
long row of spelling words, but il is
pretty hard to prove that just such
discipline is not of high value. To
him that ''oyercometh' is promised
not only life to come. but lite
which is all along full of the true
worth of real existence. The earlier
children are taught thai they have
to overcome both within
and without, that there can be 10 he
roism without self-denial, the greater
the probability of the development
of strong character.
Mas. j. ID. CRAWFORD.