The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-07
PRECOCIOUS CHILDREN.
A Tendency in Modern Education Which
Should Be Checked.


Should Be Checked.
There is at present tendency to un-
natural mental development in chill
| lren. The whole scheme of the pubic
! school system is adapted to the extra
ordinary instead of the ordinary intelli-
gence Every possible means is resorted
to by which the slow mind may be un-
naturally quickened, while the abnor-
mally bright are pushed forward like
horses spurred along race course.
The pupils of the public shoots are in
a .tate of continual nervous apprehen-
sion, fearful lest their per cent. may fall
they may fail to pass the dreaded exam
nation. They have became burdened
with cares that should not be imposed
upon them, and the lightheartedness
and naturalneSs of untrammeied child
hood are likely to become mere tradi-
tons. Preternaturally aged boys and
girls in spectacles are now so common
that they cease to attract notice. and
reputable physicians testify that nerv-
Gus disorders among the young are
ominOusly on the increase.
l is due to the perniciOus examining
Of which they are the helpless victims,
and the unnatural hurry and worry that
are part of the modern school regimen.
The parents of bright children are
generally vain of their precOcity. They
tell with what avidity Emma takes to
history; how mucA of Shakespeare
George had read at ten, and how John
would rather remain curled up on the
sofa, devouring books indiscriminately
than take part in the most fascinating
game that was ever invented. The pre-
cocity of Coleridge and De Quincy is re-
called and the children in question it
is thought will prove parallel cases. 1t
is wholly forgotten that in one instance
where the mind continues to develop in
ninety-nine il weakens and fails under
the forcing process. Poor Mr.. Toots is
an illustration of what the Blimler sys-
tenn occasionally does, and if the exam
plies are only occasional no parent wishes
to furnish the subject in their own child.
! PrecOciOuS children, as a general
thing, are insufferable little prlgs
They have not the winsomeness and in
nocence of childhood, nor the wisdom
that comes only with years and ex
perience. Instead of making out
courses of reading, offering inducements
and reward for supernatural achieve
ments, parents would much better lock
bookcase and take the text books away
from such children, and turn them out,
iguratively speaking, like young ami
mails to Craze. The mind will take care
Of itself and keep on growing; but the
body. suffers from lack of exercise,
and disordered nerves and digestion
will handicap the genius in late years.
The precocious, sensitive, imaginative
child, above all others, should be made
to run, jump, climb and play in the open
air He should grow tanned and ragged
)ut of doors, instead of dreaming over
myths, or bordering weighty questions
about which he should not think for
years to come.
The modern idea of education is I'M
natural and it's extravaganza will
| eventually eliminate in a complete
revolution. More and more is it all
work and no play, when play is neces
,ary as work is inducing to good health
and good rals.-Cbicago Inter-Ocean.