Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1904-12-02
TEACHERS
INSTITUTE

The thirty ninth annual Teachers.
Institute of Moutour County convened
in the High School auditorium Mon.
day afternoon. The attendance was
remarkably large. there being only two
out of the seventy weight teachers in
the county vino were not enrolled.
The institute was called to order
shortly after 2 o'clock by County Sup
erintendent Charles w. Derr. The
Rev. J. e. Hutchison read the 27th
Psalm and offered up an appropriate
prayer. After Superintendent Derr's
announcements, several songs were
rendered under the direction Of D. N.
| Dieffenbaoher
After the singing Miss Gertrude Ed
mund, principal of the Lowell Train
ing School for Teachers, was introduc.
cd to the Institute as the speaker of
the afternoon. Miss Edmund in addi-
tion to her teachers training school
work. is principal OF school of a
thousand pupils ranging in years from
1 uho 80L uou W eto hi6u oohooAs
Her career has been most varied. Sine
has taught IN the country school. and
in public schools from the Kindergsrt-
Ell to the high school; 80 that with
the experience gathered from so many
different educational institutions she
is particularly we'll fitted to speak to
gatherings of this kind. Miss Edmund
combines with these acquired attri-
butes. the natural quality Of concisely
expressing her thoughts in the sImp-
lest diction. Her subject, 1.-THE Claims
of the Children was treated in a most
interesting and instructive manner,
aud while her address was particular
ly adapted to the Institute, it would
have been enjoyable and profitable to
auy audience.
Miss Edmund said that children
should not be rushed to work beyond
their years, or trained in any way be-
yond their age. There Is q marked
tendency at the present time to de-
velop this evil.to Undue into the minds
of children the ways Of older people.
and to make childhood q "lost art "
1t is a mistake to send children to a
kindergarten before the age Of six
years, when they should be playing
the games and enjoying the amuse-
ments of childhood. and building up
physically sound body that will the
better stand the trials of a mental
training. The children who are kept
out of the kindergarten until the age
of six generally outstrip the ones
whose schooling is started at an earlier
age, for the reason that they have be-
come physically stronger because of
the outdoor exercise that the others
have missed.
She also brought up the question of
a more extensive practice of physical
culture in the schools. More of both
indoor and outdoor exercise was ad-
vocated. The brain does not act as a
whole, but different portions have diff
ferent functions. each muscle having
its brain center. Therefore when the
children exercise they develop not only
the muscle. but the brain oenters as
we'll. Pluck and courage are develop
ed in the games of childhood that bet
ter fit one to fight the battles of after
life.
Miss Edmund made plea for the
introduction of manual training into
the lower grades. 1t is often the case
that when child is utterly incapable
of book learning his intelligence can
be quickened by giving him something
to do with his hands. As soon as he
learns to do something useful he gains
in self-respect, which makes him hap
py and keeps him out Of mischief.
Manual training combines the develop
ment of the brain with the develop,
ment of those powers which will en-
able him to earn his living. Miss Ed
mund does not consider boy as hay
ing been thoroughly educated or cul-
tured who can not harness q horse or
drive nail, nor does she consider the
education of a girl complete until she
can bake bread, darn stockings and fit
dress, even though she can converse
in French and play the piano. The
country furnishes the intellectual basis
of the city, and this is because of the
manual training that country.bred
men receive in their childhood and
you tn.
Each child must be studied individ-
ually by the teacher. Some children
are "eyeminded. and learn easily
what is placed before them in writ
ing. Others are "earminded" and alb
sorb more readily the things that are
told them. The peculiar kind of train
ing should be used that will appeal to
the pupils peculiar kind Of imagina-
tion. Most minds are more richly en-
dowed in one direction than in anoth-
er. Great pains should be taken to
discover this special bent in q pupil,
and an effort made to train the child
aong the line Of greatest strength in
the broadcast way.
TUESDAYS PRoCEEDINH.
The Teachers Institute of 1904 bids
fair to 20 on record as the most valu =
able and agreeable session that has
been held in recent years. The in
struotion rendered is certainly of q
very high order, and, judging by the
many expressions of appreciation and
praise, it is highly regarded by the
teachers attending.
Religious exercises we're conducted
yesterday morning by the Rev. @. f.