The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-19
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EDUCATING BY THE EYE.
The Value of Object Lessons as Yet Blu,
ImperfectIy Understood.

When the art of imparting instruc.
ton has so far advanced that people
will have learned the value of educa.
ton by the eye, they viii have gone a
long way on the highroad to successful
teaching.
All of the theory and rules in the
svorld will never give to the mind an
idea as correct as may be obtained
from a single glance at many of the
objects with which we are familiar. 1t
is a waste of time to try to impress
.Ipon many children any understand
ing of the forms Of certain things.
They comprehend them only in the
vaguest sort of a way when merely de-
scribed in words, and give very lit
lie, if any, evidence of inter
est in the matter in hand: but show
them picture or the arti-
Gle itself and there is something tangi-
bic upon which the mind can take hold
And indeed the same rule may apply
with almost equal force to children of
larger growth. 1t is only a well-trained
mind, familiar with measurements,
causes and effects, and skilled in apply
ing the rules of science and art. that
can grasp the meaning Of an illustra-
ton confined merely TO words.
The value of object-lessons is only
imperfectly understood. Ifparents and
teachers would realize the Importance
Of instruction by the eye, they would
find their tasks much easier, and the
pupil would make much more rapid adj
v2ncement than is possible when the
discourse is confined entirely upon the
Incorporating and precept-upon-prece
form of imparting information
The value of exhibits and displays OF
mechanical and other appliances can
not be overcstimated in education 1t
IS ore OF the important factors in the
training of the young. The country
fair, the trade exhibition. any show Of
implements or machinery is almost
sure 10 draw an admiring crowd Of
youngsters. A few hours in such n
place will often develop taste that
will shape the boys entire future
career. The benefit of such collec-
ton of objects of interest as one sees at
the American Institute fair. in New
York city, is incalculable, and special
arrangements should be made whereby
,public-school pupils could be admitted
without charge on certain DAYS. In
companies and under the care of com
petent teachers they might have dav
or hours set apart for them. 1t might
be well TO appropriate morning hour
on certain days of the week and have
M understood Ehat =, i
take special pains to explain to the
youngsters the peculiarities and prop
critics of all of the exhibits. This would
be liberal education, and would add
new interest to all such occasions.
Every state and county fair or ma
tional exhibition should be orga nized
on basis dema nding a certain amount
of attention to the training of public
school children. Talent is often latent
and only needs some well directed
Handling to bring it ont. Many par
lents do not realize the importance of
lsending their children to such places.
and therefore the state should look to
ST that its citizens are as well equipped
for life as possible.
The boy who has n little mechanical
genius may find himself an inventor
after few hours spent in the intelli-
gentcontemplation of high-class ma
chinery. The simplest, and conse-
quentlv the best, devices in the world
have been worked out by people with
out education and training They had
seen the need of something better than
that which existed, and in the clearest
and most direct way their thoughts
went out toward supplying the lack.
1t goes without saying that if bows
could be deeply interested in mechan-
zeal subjects, they would have less
thought and care for many of the
things that are now only the source of
injury and Generalization. The mind
can hold but certain amount. and il
would seem unnecessary TO impress
upon the hearts of parents the i'm
portant thought that if the child's in
terest is turned toward useful subjects.
there would be less danger of his 90
ing astray and following after evil de-
sireS and devices. Invention is exhaust
less and fascinating, and once boy is
started in this direction. he is quite
sure to follow it more or less closely all
the days Of his life. N. Y. Ledger.