Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13
VISIT TO TIE sEGUIN SCHOOL.

Something About the Institution Where
Feeble Minded Children Are Trained.
When observing the unfortunate chill
dren born physically and mentally unde-
veloped it would seem that there is little
to be done for them. as in many instances
their mind is blank. They are brought
to the Segllin school showing all the
terrible signs Of idiocy; unable 10 articU-
late coherently, without ray OF lntelh-
gence, not knowing how to use feet or
hands, and with mouths hanging open.
During the life of the late Dr.. Edouard
Seguin he made idiocy study and be-
came the first successful teacner of chill
dren whose mental and physical develop
ment had been arrested. His definition
of idiocy is "An arrested development OF
body and mind, or both, and not an alb
sence or paralysis of the intellectual fac
| uities. The idiot Is an infant whose mind,
and often his bodily powers, haye re-
manned in the infantile condition, and he
| can be successfully treated by a training
similar, but more protracted, than that
by which the ordinary infant is developed
into an active and intelligent child"
A morning passed among the ten chill
dren now under treatment in the Seguiu
school convinces one of how much can be
done in transforming these poor creatures
into normal children; those who have been
under tuition for two or three years are
not even peculiar; are helpful and eager
to learn, and have SO altered in their ex-
preston as not to be recognized as the
same beings. Mrs. Seguin says: "Three
of my pupils, and those not the most prom
Using in the beginning, have, after three
years Of instruction, been SO far restored
that one has entered q school of high rep
utation, and is making good progress
among children of excellent intellectual
ability; another made European tour
without an especial attendant, and. a
third, under extraordinary difficulties,
has become most lovable and interesting
child"
The first lesson in the morning was
counting and making change with money,
which was accomplished readily by the
pupils somewhat advanced. All kinds of
coins were laid ON the table, and these
were distributed in different sums, which
the scholars counted and made change
with as requested.
An exercise in articulation and reading
illustrated how those feeble minded people
were taught to talk and control the voice
the typewriter then followed. The eyes
and hands and feet must be taught their
duties. First the child is persuaded TO
use his hands-to string beads, to button
his boots and dress himself. Object les
sons of many kinds are gone through,
and personal attention is given by the
teacher until there is the desired results.
There are five expert teachers for ten
pupils in the school.
Geography is taught by maps which fit
together, each state forming q separate
piece. The child learns the shape of each
state and where it belongs. All about the
products of the state, its capital, and rivers
are also made familiar. Drawing and
knitting train the eye. and steady the
hands. A little fellow years old drew
boats and birds with colored chalks on a
blackboard; four months ago he could not
put on his shoes nor control his hand to
button them.
1t requires several months to teach the
feeble minded child that what he does il
of consequence and will be appreciated.
He is so sensitive that he is apt to cry if
looked at, and TO treInble if he is touched
in passing From this pitiable condition
he is brought to condition Of self assu-
rance, and, by patience and skill, from i'd
iocy to intelligence. Gymnastic exercises
enter largely into the treatment, as does
open air diversions. All kinds Of games
are played, and in dominoes and The IA
vorite go Bang the teachers were
sometimes beaten by the pupils.-New
York Evening Sun.