The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-20
MANUAL TRAINING.
Its Chief Argument is the Effect Upon the
Forming of Character


DR.. Burnham spoke on the Hygiene
of manual training, and said, in part:
First of all let me resume the main
principles which lie at the base of mo-
tor training. Whenever a muscle con-
tracts the nerve and muscle are both
affected simultaneously. One can have
a symmetric development of the brain
only by a-development of the motor
center The more sensitive parts eff the
body are the more mobile, and what
ever develops the mobility develops the
se1sitlveness. Mosso says the secret of
genius is mobility. The development of
structure must take precedence Of the
development of function In the law of
the order of development, the larger
muscles must be developed first Com
pick forms of motor training are out of
place with young children
Different parts of the body do not de-
velop at the same time and the great
est skill can be obte ined in training Just
when the organs involved are being de-
Velopad. For example, motor training
in manu- Il work should begin before
adolescence, otherwise the maximum
skill will not be obtained. In all forms
OF motor training only the right move
ments should be allowed. 1t has been
StAcWA4 mat the NORMAL END or Thought
is action. Our thoughts have been called
half way stations to action. All motor
actlVliles are expressions of thought.
The chief argument for manual train
ing is It's influence On character When
one has been taught to do something.
| ne learns the lessons of co-operation
ana independence. Its value is seen to
large extent in the lower classes and
what we call lower races, but it de-
| Valnna o1a
been two tendencies in education. a
critical spirit, watching what others do
anS not what one does himself Such a
spirit paralyzes and deadens activities.
1outh is the time for action, not critic
ism. The active educational idea is op-
posed to all this 1t is sympathetic.
knowledge is lot complete without
action, and the same might be said
ABOUT perception. This has much to do
with hygiene. The mental life of
children is so entirely feelings and man.
ual training and spontaneous drawing
may be said to give better perceptions
of these senses.
The benefits Of manual training are
numerous. Muscle training Is a part Of
mind training.
1t can be given out Of doors; 1t may
take the form of exercise Work is the
remedy for all encouragement and
|
Oldest forms of teaching expression of
thoughts. 1t is important that thore
should be a study of hygienic condi-
tions during motor training. In the
| first place, delicate work is out of
place at the start All the obvious
rules of hygiene must be observed. In
manual training for girls, the work
should not be brought too close to the
eyes, the posture of the body should
be correct. The light must be looked
to. In certain forms Of manual train
ing, so much depends on the shadow,
as in drawing, and each child should
have an individual light If the work is
done at night. The work, of course,
should not be too delicate. In sewing
the meshes and stitches should not he
too small.
The approximation Of the work to TIE
eyes depends on the color of the ma
| terial. The work should not last too
| long, and the eyes should be relieved
| by looking at objects at distance.
During recent years, gymnastic traiu-
ing has been introduced into our
schools, and / deem it of utmost inn
portance, but it has Its hygienic princi-
| pies, which must not be overlooked
| The children should not be drilled in
a dusty room, when they are tired; in
dividual differences and the nervous
children should be regarded.
In some places an attempt has been
made to make II a substitute of the
midday recess. This is very bad, Cor
there should be some times in the
school day when the mind is perfectly
free The obvious rules of hygiene
should be observed, the work should
be out of doors, violent exercise should
be avoided just after meals The build
ing should be constructed with utmost
care, and cleanliness should be looked
to.
At present 1t seems advisable to have
an eclectic system of physical training,
and have each child examined by a