Arizona weekly citizen., 1888-04-07
HAND WORK" IN SWEDEN.
How the Use of Implements Is Taught
 tha Scandinavian Penfn.ura

How the Use of Implements Is Taught ia
 the Scandinavian Peninsula
 Slojd, or hand work, is the art of using ordinary implements-such as a knife, a saw, & hammer or a paint brush. Mir. Squeers seems to have had some shadowy lotion of this system. Clean, clean; v-i-n-d-e-r, window; now go and clean it, '' said that practical person. Slojd teachingi is tO technical instruction what a liberal ed ucatiOu is to professional training. It is valued, not only as the first step toward lsarning trade, but also as 6 training for the faculties. Appreciation of form, a proper value of time and method neat ness of manipulation and habits of indus try and self reliance are some of the bless ings with which it is credited. Enthusf- asts, moreover, hope that by including manual work among ordinary school sub Iects bodily labor may in time be raised from the low esteem where it too often lies.
 Slojd was invented by one Uno Cyg- nPus, Fin, who, after qualifying in sev- eral handicrafts, became a schOOlniaster and was commissioned tO draw up a re- port, on which the Finnish system of gov ernment schools is based In Sweden his system was copied some fifteen years ago, and it has there spread so rapidly that in many of the common schools slOjd forms part of the regular course Those who view hand work merely as a training for the faculties cOnfine their teaching to simple work in wood. But those who value 1t also as subsidiary to technical in structiOn teach slOjd in many branches and carry it beyond the use of the sim plest tools. BoOkbinding, tinkering, smiths work, painting, basket making shOemAkins and tailoring are among their subjects, and they spare no efforts to make the system attractive to pupils and parents. At some schools pupils arc al- lowed to keep what they have made, or to buy 1t cheaply; or, to secure continuous attendance, they nre credited with deferred pay, which they forfeit by leaving before Q stipulated course has been completed On completion of the course the pupil is presented with bank book representing his accumulated earnings and receives a parting counsel to increase them
 The parents sympathy is also angled for. At school in labOring district it is a rule that pupils shall be taught to make and use such common implements as are most seryiceeble tO working people -rakes, spades, aX handles and the like. AssiduOus young tinkers, tailOrs and shoe makers are allowed the use of school inn plements to make the family repairs, and thus exists in Sweden the phenomenon of a self repairing boy, who mends his own raiment and cObbles his own shoes.
 In Sweden, in Norway and in Fin land the system has proved most success full. There seems no reason why 1t should not be introduced and become equally successful here. The taste among non laboring classes for using implements is universal Too often, however, the bands that guide the implements are rather jealous than skillful. But if schools taught slojd, these manual short comngs would be remedied. The tool chest, now Pandora's box of evil, bring ing terror to paternal bosOms and impre- cations on the donor, would become a blessing. Instead of amputating chair legs or studding the furniture with tin tRcks, it's skilled pOssessOr would do the Amily's odd jobs. The penknife found in the pocket of every schOOlbOy but Macan- lays would whittle and carve, under due supervision, to the advantage of the it tlngS and its owners fingers- Adults would cease to slice their faces in vain at tempts to shave themselves; and to the adept in slOid, the opening of meat tin or sgtrdine box would not mean lOckjaw. If to tLe use Cf ordinary tools some crafts like bCCkbmdins were addsd, brain workers would grow up with recreative hobby ready made. Even q course of alarming and button sewing might not come amiS5 to youths intended for professions, where, according tO the registrar generals re- turns. they will Dc condemned to bachler ho0J Jiil CJ-LondJn Saturday Review.