New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-11
ONE HOUR OVER STUDY.
PRESIDENT HUNTER WOULD HAVE
CHILDREN FROM NINE TO FOUR
TEEN LIMIT THEMSELVES To
THIS TIME At HOME

There was never a time in the history of the
New-York public schools when parents took the
interest in school matters that they are taking to
day. Il is not many years ago that the aver
age mother little likely visit her chd's
school a. to inspect the shop where his hosiery
was woven the factory where his birthday ice
cream was frozen. Fathers, too, were apathetic
beyond the limits Of inspecting with cursory eye
the weekly reports Of their offspring and noting
the proportion Of As or '10's'' the total
This condition Of complacent acceptance has grad
ualy melted into critical mood. which
scrutiniZes the curriculum inquiries into the proper
school age. indignant the batch ~
books and exercise papers brought home for even
ing study. and discusses the existence of that
hiatus between the kindergarten and the primary
grade about which much is said by profes-
Sional educators
The Tribune has interviewed ON these and allied
topics several persons who are prominent in the
education OF children or whose experience would
entitle them TO hearing. President Hunter OF the
Normal College did not approve OF measures to
prohibit home study for children He said Home
study SHOULD not De abolished. account Of the
moral discipline particularly for the boy. II has
immense value in compelling him to abandon his
play TO perform q duty
This was said Of home study in general. but Of
the first years in school President Hunter less
eXacting. He even said. Il would have home
study at all during the years from six to nine and
after nine years up 10 fourteen I would not have
the time exceed one hour. one hour at home and
teen there should be study hour in school
every day under the direction of the teacher. This
IS especially necessary the case of children with
foreign parents. for the child who cannot have his
parents 70 help him with his home study is at a
dlsddNantage. The best students are always chill
dFen or intelligent parents for they have access
DOCKS and they hear intelligent converse ton"
In urging only one hour Of home study. Dr..
Hunter said Il firmly believe that the hours of
study IN all classes of schools long. and
thar in consequence the children have too little
Tune Tor exercise in the open air I believe in
making haste slowly. one Of the greatest errors
IN teaching Is Ia push children ahead rapidly
n Is a. unwiSs to force mental growth as to force
NE growth OF tree by Juggling at its roots. But
the pushing is the fault of fathers and mothers
american parents are in too much haste advance
their children"
AS to the suggestion Of keeping child from reg
ular school work during the years from
nine, ana bridging over the time with something
IKE vacation school work, Or. Hunter considered
any new system unnecessary when the regular
klndersarten ends AT the age OF six. let the
kindergarten methods continue he said. Garry
ms out In the lower primary grades by teaching
with natural objects. Teach the children 10 draw,
70 write, ana 10 make figures in this way To do
such work as would not he a on the child
mind Is better than To let the mind lie fallow.
with vacation schools the physical and moral
straint is lacking
Are there too many subjects taught in the
schoois2 That depends the teacher. Some get
much more work out Of the children than others
can An able teacher will make any
paratively easy