Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-11-08
LECTURES ON CHILD STUDY.
Prof. e. p. st. John VIII Deliver Second
In Series In Congregational Church This
Evenlnu.

Prof. E. p. st. John VIII Deliver Second
In Series In Congregational Church This
Evening.
The course of six lectures on child study
by Prof. Edward p. st. John OF the Hart
FORD school of religious pedagogy opened
auspiciously Friday evening In the Con-
gregational church, where a large
number of parents and public school
teachers as well as Sunday school
workers, for whom the course was
primarily intended gathered. Prof.
st. John more than fulfilled every
thing that had been said about him as an
interesting speaker and expressions Of the
warmest appreciation Of the value Of the
lecture to anyone in any way connected
with the bringing up OF children we're
heard on all sides. The Brattleboro Sun
day school union is to be congratulated
on the wisdom Of its selection Of a lee
turer this season and II is to be hoped
that the general public will give the
financial support which the worth OF the
course merits The course was made
iree though there are large expenses to
be met In getting Prof. st. John nere
and all the financial prospects Of the
Sunday school union are in the number
OF people who will join it's ranks at a
small membership fee. An earnest can
vass Is being made to secure members
IN all the churches.
Prof. st. John began the course with
consideration OF the early childhood
and the kindergarten period. He con-
fined his attention to the children be-
tween the ages of two and five years
and dwelt at length on the psychological
development Of the child mind in these
early years. His lecture was Illuminated
win apt stories OF actual occurrences
which had come under his personal ex-
perlence. His theme was the guidance
of the natural and healthy activities of
the child rather than their suppression.
He said that the chld's perception or
knowledge of his environment was de-
veloped wholly at first by physical means,
the child had no knowledge Of the nature
Of things until he has touched, tasted or
pounded or otherwise experimental with
an object. The road to development In
these early years was therefore through
the senses not in appeal to his mind
or moral instinct. 1t is absolutely neces-
sary that a child should be active in
body in order to grow and this activity
could be turned into channels OF educa-
ton as well as left to run riot. He dwelt
at length on the cultivation OF obedience
by suggestion instead OF arbitrary COM
mand in these early years.
The second lecture in the course will
he given this evening at o'clock in the
Congregational church. Prof. st. John
will take up the primary period from the
fifth to about the eighth year. The lee
lures are free to the public and everyone
interested is invited to be present. At
the same time the officers of the Sunday
school union hope that as many as care
to do so will become members OF the
union at the nominal membership fee, so
that the expenses Of the course may be
met without any canvass for funds. DIR.
H. d. Holton, president Of the Sunday
school union, who presided, placed the
financial aspect OF the undertaking before
the audience and appealed to them
to support II.