The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-09-06
pRAlNs OF cHILpREE.
Scientific Investigations which show
That Children shoaid Aot lie seni
60 school before They Are Eight.

60 school before They Are Eight.
The brains OF children are al present
the subject OF anxious study by the nu
thorllies OF the District Of Columbia
: who aie trying In this way 10 reach
satisfactory conclusions rs TO the rgs
al which young folks ought to begiz
to go to school. II IL beginning TO be
thought that schooling may perhaps
be started TOO early for the health and
welfare Of the little ones, and this idea
seems plausible when II Is considered
that infants Of six years are compelled
10 seek book-learning at the public
cost IN the District of Columbia and
In Wyoming, while mere prattlers OF
four are allowed 10 take advantage OF
educational opportunities in Connecti-
cut, Wisconsin and Oregon, II their
parents so desire. IN 10 other states
of the union the minimum age OF vol-
untary attendance Is Ave years.
Light Is thrown upon this Interest,"
ing subject, says Rene Bache, in the ST.
Louis Globe-Democrat, by study of
the growth and development of the
mind organ In children. In this line
the most important work has been
done by DR.. w. w. johnson, n distin-
guished physician of Washington, who
calls attention to the fact that the hu-
man brain attains practically its full
weight when the individual is only
about eight years of age. At birth tho
brain weighs approximately pound,
but its development is so rapid that at
the end of the first year it would tip
the scales at 2H pounds. Atfour years
II has reached nearly three pounds, but
from that time on its growth is com
paratively slow. Attaining to what is
to all intents and purposes Its full size
at eight years. 1t does not alter appre-
ciably after 12 years, and after "a years
1t begins to diminish slowly but stead
fly in avoirdupois.
These facts, obviously, have very
important bearing upon questions Of
school training. So far as brain de-
velopment is concerned, the first eight
years hre by far the most important
OF child's life, the main growth Of
the organ taking place during that Pc
riod. 1t is evident that the stature at
tanned eventually by the mind depends
largely upon the perfection Of brain
growth during this epoch. DR.. John
son urges that education ought not to
begin during this period of brain
growth, and that children that are
sent to school before they are eight
years OF age are threatened with se-
rious injury. Also, he contends, in view
OF the facts above stated regarding
brain development, instruction during
the first years should not be too exact
ing or too stimulating. precocity
ought to be checked, furthermore, and
not fostered.
The first eight years are the most i'm
portant of child's life, for the reason
and it is urged that school
ought not to beginunul this
period is about over. But 1t still re-
mains to be determined how many |
hours daily should be given by the child |
to study. 1t has not been ascertained
definitely whether the child is helped or
hindered by competition, and good
many other questions in this same line
remain unanswered. One thing deemed
certain is that school children, gen.
orally speaking, in this country and
are overlooked. There are
100000 pupils in the public schools
II the United States, and it goes with
,ut saying that some of them are much
'eebler mentally and physically than
,thers. Nevertheless, the pace is set
~ the capacity Of the stronger and
marter ones, and all are forced along
,ogether-always to the detriment OF
he weaker and less clever.
In each generation there is q small
Of children who are in ad-
'HuCS VI tuclT ltiOWb, buOWluS ca
raordinary brightness at an early age.
For some time past it has been ques-
toned whether such symptoms are
igns of normal or abnormal condi-
ions, and whether the precocious in
ant is above or below the average in
respect Of eventual growth and de-
DR.. Johnston says that
uch children. as rule, are of inferior
hysical development. They are aptto
e troubled with nervous disorders,
re thin-blooded, have small appetites.
re easily tired. and. when they are at
acked by illness. are much more apt to
ie than ordinary children. In a ohild
nick intellect, vivacity, unusual power
4 meniorizing and vivid imagination
re very attractive qualities and {
SURGE Of pride to parents, but in real ,
y they are signs OF an abnormal state
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