The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-08
CARE FOR FEEBLE MINDED
Miss Ebbs Discusses Question at Ses-
sion Today.

Glimpses of training for the feeble
minded were given in the paper of
Miss Eva L. Ebbs, teacher in the in
stitution at Winfield, KAN, in paper
read this morning before the sixth
semi-annual conference of the state
board of control. DR.. c. w. Jones of
Olathe, treated upon the diphtheria
epidemic at the school for the deaf,
DIR. A. L. SkOog of the University of
Kansas discussed prognosis in nervous
diseases, and DIR. John Punton of the
University Medical college, Kansas
City, Mo-, read a paper. In the after
noon State Architect Charles H. Chan
dler treated upon institution Archi-
lecture. He was followed by Profess
sor H. w. Charles of the Boys In
dustrial school, Topeka, who read a
paper on Eugenics.
Miss Ebbs in part said:
'At this advanced age of modern
educational methods, men and women
are becoming awakened to the i'm
portance of training the backward
child who is not considered defective,
but who does not have the use of all
his faculties. This strange backward
ness of great masses of school child
rem has caused deepest perplexity and
concern among educators.
1T is thought that their develop
ment is arrested on account of physi-
cal defects, poverty and bad surround
ings. Some wonderful transformations
have been made under the new system
OF training.
with this intellectual progress we
are glad to note the tendency to give
more special attention to the feeble
minded. Along the lines of intellectual
activity manual training has proved to
be an important branch of education.
Happily for the feeble minded as the
training of the hand promotes mental
activity and produces real effects"
Miss Eds then refers to the State
Home for Feeble Minded at Winfield,
and the efficient management by DR..
/. w. Clark and his assistant, DR.. f. c.
Cave. She continued:
Three years ago while in converse
ton with one of the instructors, DR.
! Clark made this remark: We intend tC
| do something more than feed and herd
| these children 1t was then that man
ual training was introduced into this
school. The first years progress wa:
| slow but gave promise of better re
! suits. With renewed efforts and a lit
| tie more determination the design be-
| came complete.
| $50 step by step we have gradual,
! improved. Manual training has had {
| refining influence over the children
| Some who were almost unmanagea biz
/ are easier controlled and are doing
! good work. Each year the work ha,
abeen exhibited at the Winfield chautau
! qua assembly 1t has been said b.
! competent judges that some of the worl
| hardly can be excelled by normal stud
entS.
1--WE aim to place each child capabl,
| of Improvement where he can have ev-
| cry aid. in attaining the power to un
| derstand at least one thing well enough
| to produce it. We begin with the kin
| dergarten where first grade work
! songs and games with the simpler form.
! of manual work are taught. In thu
preparatory manual department. plail
sewing, rug making. knitting, crochet
| ing, bead work. simple fancy work
| clay modelling, drawing, crayon an,
| water colors are taught successfully
I'm the advanced manual trainin,
| department instruction is given in ma
| chine sewing, Irish crochet, lace max
| ing, embroidery of various kinds, fame,
| work in many forms, clay modelling
wood carving, typography, pierced cop
| per and brass. raffia work, reed an
/ Indian basketry.
THE grade department consists G
| grade work only. There is a regula
| progression from the lower to the high
| er grades and pupils are promoted a
| soon as they are qualified. AS a elias
the feebIeminded have dull perception
feeble powers Of attention. uncertai