Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-08
SENSE In EDUCATION
MAS. cAAuNcsv N. pEPeW EXPLAINS
heR EXCELLENT METHOD
SIMPLICITY the Fsrst Rsqusssss--Thresr Ian
~nsses.-rwelve Tears che Right Age
to 90 60 Behool-DaneSsE.


"a Go to Behool-DsnesnEs
---------------.
Fergus Falls Journall
n one were to describe By single word
the life Of q well-brought-up child IN
modern New York that word would DO
simplicity.
A large proportion OF New York people
understand that steady simplicity OF hv'na
Il Absolutely necessary for the develop
ment OF both minds and bodies OF thor
children.
Three little people whose dauy ives arc
the son and two orphan nieccs OF mrs.
Chauucey III. OVERWHELMINGLY NJ; De-
pew. Jr.. who was II years Old last July
Ioua bradford Hcgeman, who Is IN ner
nth vaar and Charlotte Niven Hegeman,
vho ,s named after her grandmother. mrs.
DereNs's mother. end Is not yet ii.
y hardly know" said Mrs. Depew. win
. sm;lr. "what TO tell yon about the chill
dren's education. their lives are so per;
fectiy simple. They all speak French ana
German fuently. Since Their early cniid-
hood fhey have had French governess
and a German maid, and SO have acquired
both languages easily, almost uncon-
sc,ously. Then, too. when Mr. Depew
il not at home l always converse with
them AZ table in one language or the otner.
one day in German and the next in French:
I think IL insufes more correct form OF
speech for a mother TO share in her cnii-
dren's conversation in some SUCH way; nv
mother and Mr.. Depcw ALWAYS speak 10
them in English. We consider II very I'M.
portant that their own language shaiI nol
DO neglected while acquiring foreign opes;
In this way they have obtain cd coninano
of three languages quite naturaiiy' WIN ~
study and with very little EFFORT.
!" Tbev all three. attend school now
INV two n,eces a school for girls and my
son q boys preparatory school. 1 90 not
heI,eve in an exclusively home education,
for do not think that 1t is possible to
make the course of training as thorough as
as that of a good school. and 1 also think
il well for them TO go among otheI Gnli-
dren. But I do not believe IN scnu,ns
children to school very early. iwsISo
years old is quite soon enough. hncy
need nleDtv OF time to strengthen Their
hodies before beginning to. tax tneir
brains. and then ct that age they are bet,
fer Able to understand their lessons ana
to apply themselves. g
am glad to see that the system OF
marks, is being so almost entirely done
away with in the schools. / think 1t was
bad for the children in many ways.
~ do not believe very much either IN
prizes or rewards. Ii is so much better ior
them TO learn to do the work for IT'S ow q
sake. because il Is right; tor love, ana no'
through fear or emulation. ~
.They are quite musical and all TAKE
mus,c lessons. / do not think that 1t IS
we'll. however. unless one has, decided
talent. TO devote too much time TO
music IL would be much better to give
that time TO some other talent that one
migbt possess, and of so much more
benefit.
DRAWING AND DANCING.
"Thev all show decided talent for draw
irg which they are cultivating. They also
take dancing lessons. Dancing ~ such
good exercise for all parts OF the body ana,
too. it teaches them to walk and TO carry
themselves well. Light calisthenics are
also excellent. and they practice them ior
q certain time every day. =,
vays. They get up early in the morning,
70 TO bed early at night.
DINNER they have in the middle OF the
day and light tea at night. They eat very
few sweets--confectionery or anything OF
that sort. Their desserts consist OF some
simple pudding or cake. They eat all sorts
of plain food--that is. roasts and chops
and fllets for meat. and all kinds OF vege-
tables, the greater the variety the better
Then, when they come IN from their waiks,
] always have a cup OF broth READY 1of
them-hot beef or mutton broth. particu-
larry in the winter. II IS good LOT them'
and they seem to enjoy 1t.
THE PROPER AMOUNT OF EXERCISE.
Twice day they take a brisk walk.
not too long, for over-exercise is quite as
injurious as too little. Children are often
allowed 70 Overture themselves and grow
cross or fretful without being able TO IN
derstand or explain. the reason. In sum
mer they are out of doors almost all the
time. although they study Just little
even then, for 1 do not think 1t well for
them TO be entirely idle for SO long time.
And then / dress them oil very simply ;
very elaborate clothing seems out OF place
for children. like to have all that they
wear pretty. but plain, so that they can
romp and play as children ought, without
being hampered and without any thought
or fear of rumpled finery.
lone accomplishment that am anxious
to have them all acquire is that OF reading
aloud well. consider that very neces'
sary part of n good education, and also
that they should learn to enunciate thei
words clearly and correctly.
FAIRY STORIES UNDER THE BAN.
lido not allow them to read fairy sto.
rIes. | do not think that 1t Is well fol
them to do so. Instead l give them inter
esting and instructive books OF history te
read. There are such charming little, his
torres for children written nowadays
They began with historical stories writer
in words of one syllable, and already m,
son has a really wonderful knowledge. o
historical events for boy of his age. bu
then he has natural love for the subject
That makes difference. suppose. als'
encourage them to play various INSTRUCTIVE
games that amuse and give them usefu
information at the Same time, geograpni
cal puzzles, authors. and other games
that sort.
SUNDAY IN THE DEpEw HOME.
ION Sunday their usual toys and game
are put away. They have Grandma
Old Testament Game and Grandma
New Testament Game and on rainy Sun
DAYS, when we cannot 60 to church, W
read the services together.
They have large play-room, but al
not confined to 1t. They never wait to b
sent for, but run in and out Of the room
where we are at all hours of the day, an
they always sit with us at the table. Ur
less made them my companions l woul
not get to know them or to understan
their characters. and that knowledge is 8
necessary, for it teaches one how best
guide and govern them. / believe in en-
couraging them to develop their individu
allties, and 10 cultivate certain mdt
pendence of character. -.
II do not think that / started out wit
anv particular theories Of education. II
had they must necessarily have been muc
modified. tor each child needs speeds
sort of training, adapted to its own pal
ticular nature and capacities. NV boy
myself taught entirely until he was year
old.
Zone thing that particularly insist o
with ali tho children is that they should b
polite to all the servants. II seems ittl
thing, but it is one tina: really has niue
influence over child's character and mar
ners. Courtesy and consideration fc
others, no matter what their station in LII
a. lesanpa that cauuat DQ fo0 earl