The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-12-23

with Snellon's test cards, which were
distributed among the public schools
in Saginaw, Mich. The discovery of
this serious physical defect among
students was due solely to the newly
aroused desire for child study.
Next, the attention was turned to an
examination of the chiidren's hearing,
for is was rightly argued that teacher
must have a knowledge of at least the
most important physical conditions of
a child before she could even hope to
estimate their mental capacity. The
result OF this examination Of hearing
was as surprising as was the result Of
the sight tests, showing as it did a
general average of twenty to twenty
five per cent. of detectives.
When we stop and consider that SO
many of the chiMren in the public
schools are suffering from their defec-
tive eyesight or hearing, or perhaps
both, and when we again consider the
acknowledged stultifying effect that
these misfortunes have upon the intel
lect, and when we also remember that
prominent physicians assert that with
proper care this number could be re-
duced to two per cent, who can but
acknowledge that this Systematic
course of examinations resulting from
child study is worthy of everybody's
hearty support?
Aside from the examination of the
physical conditions of the child, the
students of the Child Study, clubs
earnestly turn their attention to the
study of the child's personality. The
Madison University, of Wisconsin, has
sent out an invaluable syllabus of
Studies of the Moral Development of
Children" and Relation of the Child
to Parental Authority" Parents who
are willing to assist in the proposed
investigation are urged to communi-
cate with J. F. Morse. Aid from
parents would be especially valuable,
for in most instances they are far more
capable of judging a childs DISPOSE
ton than the teacher, who sees them
only during school hours.
The subjects of the syllabus to lie
considered are classified as follows:
: First-"The Childs Relation to Par
entail Authority in Obedience. First
Signs of Disobedience-Wil fulness-
Selfshness. Punishment and it's
Effects. Corporal Punishment-Oth
Methods of Punishment, the Manner
in which Commands are Given, the
Effects of Reward, Praise, Blame.
Obedience from Love or Fear. Which
Parent is Better Obeyed? Why?
Second-The CHS Attitude To-
ward Other than Parental Authority.
Third-The Child's Natural Wilfui-
ness Toward Parents and Toward |
Other Children.
But, it is argued teacher cannot |
be expected to know and remember |
every characteristic of each child. No, !
certainly not; but by thorough atten
rinr tO In iJro &c hp
can, if she will, be better able to esti- |
mate the capabilities and temperament |
Of children of certain ages, and not. :
as is often done, give child of seven
he same work that is given to the
child of ten. The work may be ac-
it is true, but whereas the |
ask is easy for the older child it is too
lifficult for the little one and the result
S obtained at the expense of over
strained nerves and over-taXed brain.
I he effect of this child study" sys-
EN- is as though a stone had been
brown into the educational mill pond!
[ has stirred it's placid surface and
zone clear to the bottom, while the
ipples produced are reaching to the
arthest shores of every land where the
ducation of the child it at all con-
idered.
The time is about past when a child |
5 given so much to learn, whether or
lot he has the faintest idea of its mean
ng, and when if he can repeat it word
or word he is supposed to have Ill
,ested his literary meal FrOebel's
Methods will not now end when the
hild leaves the kindergarten, but Will
,e carried throughout the child's
chool life-and let us hope throughout
lis whole eXistence.-Phil. Record.