The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-15
SENSE IN EDUCATION.
mrs. CHAUyCEY NJ DEPEw EXPLAINS
HER METHOD.

mrs. CHAUyCKY NJ DEPEw ExPLAINs
HER METHOD.
simplicity the Very First Resu,sits-Thres
Langwsees May be Learned = Twelve
Years the Right Ace to Go to School
Dancing 10 All Right, but ne Fairy stories
Prom a. Fsres. Ious Journal
II one wore to describe BY single word tho
life OF we'll brought-up child In modern Now
York that word would be simplicity.
A largo proportion OF Now York people UNDER
stand that steady simplicity Of living Is abso-
lutely necessary for the developm ent OF both
minds and bodies OF their children.
Three llttlo people whose daily lives are ex-
cellcnt instances Of Sensible training arc the
son and two orphan nieccs OF Mrs. Chauncey
NJ OVERWHELMINGLY NJ. Dopew. Jr.. who was
II years old last July: Anna Bradford Hege-
man. who Is in hor 18th year. and Charlotte
Niven Hegeran. who is named after her
grandmother. Mrs. Dopew's mother. and Is
not yet 3D.
~ hardly know" said Mrs. Depew. with o
smile. what to toll you about tho children's
education thor livos are 80 perfectly simple.
Thoy oil speak Fronch aud German fluent.
IT, Since thor early childhood they have had
French governess and German maid. and
90 have acquired both languages easily. al.
most unconscionsly. Then. too. when Mr.. De.
pow Is not at homo always converse with
them at table in one language or tho other;
one day In German nnd the next In French. l
think II insures moro correct form OF speech
for mother to share in her childron's CONVEX
sation In some such WY. My mother and MIR.
Depew always speak to them In English We
consider It very important thnt thoir own lam
guage shall not DO neglected while acquiring
foreign Ones In this way they have obtained
command OF three languages quito naturally.
with no study and with very little effort.
They all thrcc attend school now: my two
nieces a school for girls. and my son boys
preparatory school. I do not believe In an
exclusively homo education. for do not think
that 1t Is possible to mako the course OF train.
Ing as thorough as that OF a good school. and
I also think It we'll for them to 60 among other
children. But do not bclievo in send
ing children to school very early. Twelve
years old is quito soon enough. Thoy need
plenty OF time to strengthen their bodies be-
fore beginning to tax their brains. and then at
that age they are better able to understand
their lessons and to apply themselves.
III am glad to see TINT the system OF marks
10 being 80 almost entirely done away with in
schools Think that 1t was bad for the chill
dren in many ways
II do not believe very much either In
prizes or rewards. It is 80 much better for
them to learn to do tho work for its own sake.
because It is right: for love. and not through
fear or emulation.
They are quite musical and oil take music
lessons. do not think that It is we'll. how
ever unless one has decided talent. to de-
voto too much time to music. It would be
much better to give that time to some other
talent that one might possess and Of so much
moro benefit.
DRAWING AND DANCING.
"They all show decided talent for drawing.
which they are cultivating They also take
dancing lessons Dancing is such good exer-
else for all parts OF the body and. too 1t teaches
them to walk and to carry themselves we'll.
Light calisthenics are also excellent and they
practise them for a certain time every day.
"They keep carly and regular hours always.
They get up early In tho morning. 60 to bed
early at night.
Dinner they have In the middle OF the day
and light tea at night They ent very few
observation-disclosures or anything Of that sort
Their desserts consist OF some simple pudding
or cake. They eat all sorts OF plain food-that
%. roAsts and chops and flllets for meat. and
oil kinds Of vegetables. the greater variety the
better Then. when they come in from their
walks. always have cup OF broth ready for
them. hot beef or mutton broth. particularly In
the winter. It IL good for them. and they seem
70 enjoyit
THE PROPER AMOUNT OF ExERc1sE
"Twice day they take brisk walk. not too
long. for overexercise is quite as Injurious as
too little. Children are often allowed to over
tire themselves and grow cross and fretful
without being able to understand or explain
the reason. In summer they are out OF doors
almost all the time: although they study Just
. little. oven then. for I do not think it well
for them to be entirely idle for so long time
And then dress them all very simply:
very elaborate clothing seems out OF place for
children. like to have all that they wear
pretty. but plain. 80 that they can romp and
play as children ought without being ham
pered and without any thought or fear Of
rumpled 6pery.
Zone accom- lishment that am anxious to
have them all acquire Is that Of reading aloud
,-sll consider that very necessary part Of
. good education. and also that they should
learn to enunoiate their words clearly and
correctly.
PARRY STORIES UNDER THE BAN.
II do not allow them to road fairy stories.
do not think that 1t is we'll for them to do So
lnsteadI give them interesting and instructive
books Of history to read. There are such
little histories for children written
nowadaysl They began with historical stories
written In words Of ono syllable. and already
my son has really wonderful knowledge OF
events for boy OF his age. but then
hs has o natural love for the subject Tint
makes q difference. 1 suppose. also cncour-
age them to play various instructive games
that amuse and give them useful information
at the same time: geographical puzzles. au-
tbors. and other games OF that sort.
SUNDAY IN THE DEpKw HOME
"On Sundays their usual toys and games are |
put away. They have 'Grandmn's Old Tesla
mont Game end 'Grandma's Now Testu ment |
Game and OH rainy Sundays. when we ccn-
not 60 to church.wo reed the services together. |
They have largo play room. but are not |
confined to 1t. They mover wait to be sent for.
but run In and out OF the rooms where We are |