New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-22

blind. His brain. an imperfect model Of an adults
has only a few developed cells and connecting
hbres. Of which. later in life, there are several
million" says a writer in The Mothers Journal.
His only gateway into the world is through his
five senses and We can hardly realize what host
OF new impressions is thronging through them DUR
ing the first twelve months II is OF the utmost
Importance that regularity. restfulness, even mo-
notony should prevail in the nursery during the
first year
From that time on the senses must be gradually
exercised. Sound mental training depends upon Ie
forming Of clear sense impressions. chid's edu-
cation begins at birth, for what is education Dut
the development Of mental power? His own ex-
periences-pain when he burns or cuts hlmseH OF
falls down-are his natural teachers. II constantly
held in his nurses arms II constantly waited upon,
he Is deprived Of activities that have an educational
value that train the attention develop the will
and lead him to coordinate and use his muscles
to a definite end.
CURIOSITY NECESSARY.
Curiosity is as dominant and necessary for
the intellectual life appetite is for the physical
and equally needs to be watched over and regu-
lated"
Mrs Haueson says: The passion for getting at
the inside Of things TO the wheels go round or
10 find out the cause Of a noise, Is the basis OF
ell scientific research. It leads TO appalling de-
struction sometimes but Il is useful instinct and
should be guided, not suppressed. Paythings which
can be taken to pieces horses which can be har-
messed and embarrassed, dolls 10 be dressed and
undressed. give him opportunity through search
ing. pulling and turning the parts Of his miniature
world develop his Judgment through the exercise
Of his senses. and TO gain his necessary expert
ence."
The endless questions child asks are often wear
ing. but It helps mother to answer them patiently
10 remember that II is his mental stimulus and
necessary for the proper growth Of his brain. She
needs 70 adapt her answer TO his powers, just as
she chooses his food according TO his age. The
brain of the little child is so imperfectly developed
that his power attention is very weak and at the
same time she must avoid overstimulating him
Sully gives the following answers TO questions
which he considers sufficient for children under
three years of age They are simple, but they are
the truth:
WHY do beans grow in the earthg' The mother
asks DO not you grow bigger every day. and
kittens don't they grow? All animals get bigger
and small ones become great ones, and plants do
just the same"
s'yvhy is water not wine?" The mother replies:
rs a dog n cat? Wine is wine. and water is
water"
The mother who boasts that her child could read
at four and had finished q book on American his
tory at six was making the common mistake OF
IT is as dangerous" says one mother, TO make
the brain work over books before its tissue Is
ready for them the baby 10 stand be
HIM Irfle 10 observe but teach him to observe
that closely Take the common flowers that he
by their odor You VIII not only give him greater
interest in the flowers bur You VIII be cuIIyating
him put the things he brings you in a paper bag,
feeling them-to train his sense of touch. Pick
a branch OF leaves and perhaps he viii help you
look for another tree Of the same kind; These
only few hints which you can follow out
'2Tlrner Gates. of Washington. trained with in
finite patience a number Of dogs 10 know certain
found TO be more fully developed than the brain
OF an ordinary dog Impressions received through
the eye, the ear the hand. through the lower
senses, are therefore the means Of developing the
DR. WaIdstein performed a most interesting expert
ment on Helen Keller to test the permanence Of
accomplishments is her ability 10 appreciate music.
on the piano or on tbe throat Of the Singer Two
negro melodies were procured from her mother,
father had sung them 70 her hundreds of times as
ne LTottea her on his knee or walked with her
that Is. before she was nineteen months old. on
never repeated afterward After the first few bars
Of Way Down in the Meadow A-mOwing Of the
Ray were sung 70 the young woman, Just enter
ing her sixteenth year, she exhibited great emotion
down black crow-biack crow" On hearing the
second song. a like effect was produced II was
vibrations received -b-ona5 r. ss1se Of +oIcb 80
reawakened part Of her earliest memories received
through the ear fourteen years before.
what psychologists maintain that none Of these
early Impressions are lost; that they are indebly
registered. and that the sum OF them received by
the child from his surroundings his games his
upon which is built up his mental life tastes his
moods his impulses in after life To realize this in
consider the kind of environment is provid-
ing for her child. He cannot understand abstract
principles but he follow example.
After you have interested the child in natural
objects you go a step further" continues
blances first You want TO lead him gradually 10
notice differences. make his impressions more
distinct. Help him 10 make collections of any
kind. The Japanese children have popular game
with bivaIve shells. They hold half a one in the
hand and must be able to find the mate il among
a number of shells spread out before them. The
who mas trained his eye detect the smallest
differences will match the most shells and win the
val IA 10
means Of education for the little child
ACTIVITY