Evening journal., 1892-11-25
lIAN BUILDIyd, coLUlmUs ASYLUM.
lsreeIal Corre.nondence.l

MAIN BUILDING, COLUMBUS ASYLUM.
Perhaps the most notable school for
The training Of feeble minded children is
in this city. TO is the largest one in the
country, having nearly 1000 inmates.
It i beautifully situated, and having
been under one capable management for
good many years has been developed
systematically, intelligently and stead
ily. The superintendent, DR.. Doren, has
executive ability and the instinct Of or
der TO marked degree, and with these
qualities combines sympathy for the I'M
fortunate with an intense love of his
work, which is unusual.
The asylum Is primarily for imbociles
--lhat Is. children of feeble intellect
who can learn If sufficient care and pa
tieuca Is given to their training. but who
are utterly unable to advance 10y the
ordinary methods OF education outside
Very often the first thing to be done
with them IS to teach them to use their
physical members. Some children are
literally taught 20 walk who. before
coming % the institution, We're utterly
unable TO, not from physical disability.
bul from natural backwardncss and be-
cause no enc bad sufficient patience to
tre io teach thell The hands are made
to do theic share Of the work, and the
wandering attention is fixed by various
devices Then if possible, the pupil is
interested in some simple stories end
games TO these ends his early training
IS largely after kindergarten methods.
He is taught color, form and arrange
rnt The molding I'm clay and SAND
done ia some OF the schoolrooms Is really
ramorkablo, and whom one considers the
material with which the teacher lahore
Tho uatienco and tact which she must
brmgT0 her work. one realizes Tint She
is truly @ mi Missionary bringing light and
under4tanding 90 the intellectually des-
ttgte
After the kindergarten training the
c.iil "a taught to read To begin with,
heia given words ON cardboard names
oil objects around the schoolroom. of
domestic animals and OF things about
the farm with which he is familiar. Tie
learns Co name all these cards. point out
the objects to you or tell where they
ale iu words or-if he cannot talk
hg signs. Then charts are given him
vith simple sentences illustrated apon
them Afterwlrd he is put into @
very easy reader arranged according tu
ile word lucthod-that is, the words are
TAUGHT before the letters. Object teach-
la is ngce 7arily used ia tho beginning
almost entirely, and largely throughout
h.s entire course OF study. From the
w method he goes into t'le -Hs. read-
or and thence ou DIS course of iudy
very much that of ,he ordinary child.
1ltha progress IS neces ar.iy very Slow
Ea mus- Da taught individually al-
most every hine 70 liisquile naro ihl,
uutl le has attained some degree Of ad
rHacemcat lo put nim iulo class Uiti
oheg and even when So placed ho h.
to have insly little di8cultc explained
tohm separately Every device mus
l rel t3 a.eac. aud hold hiu 60 th'
sulie-t lcly. He is Taught couutiu.
~ h- objects with which he IS familiar
bF dllercnl coloro4 balls, by buttons
conn, ly bits of cardboard and ever.
lcrica which the teacher can invent
These m always De as nearly as po
silie material repre- cutl.i9n of ,h
idea viicL s1a IS trying 60 convey
From mo'ding figures tn Lanlcrgar.e'
schools Le 0dfancc- in the hieha
grades 10 molding maps. and so gains
better idea Of geography Than by en-
other method. ln connection with tn
vork in tho schoclroon. and foilowin
out the mammal training idea, the pup
rrht go sew. The girls make undei
col ne- lre sca and bedding. the boy
m tailoring Physical culture to'
receives large share of attention
erv child who ID not helpless an
1rpled IS put into a gymnasric ella.
r.ads one-laif hour each day
exercise The benefit is ucaicuibale. f,
fnanv oe ole children are PHYSICAL
weak and impellectly developed
Tho lower classes the childis taugi
90 properly lifl his feet, use his arm
fe.av d lender, obey 0n order and ke.
n In consequence of such drill
little by little until he is alb
cutie complicated movements in
rly perfect manner. The io'
salo1v as often an instinct wi
M rsabla minded child as with y
orc and music s. powerful tact
n als education. It attracts and hcl
1a8 nothing else can.
Tas children sing beautifully pa
IS wen as simple melodies, az
.rom lic.ati0n by heart the wor
of I'D their songs, SO that they sing T.
sa.uly with an abandon not io'i
asa f,o rull -Ac.f 5ng
ta l1y aas 3, se q
r the sclo3l1oA t7 lna.
learn a trade he IS put TO- wo
u o.e alcr ine .m-aeli-ta sup
v5a II trained mechanic. 4 lar
.aar of Hrrs are 10 the shoe sh'