The Washington herald., 1912-03-21
BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

n,a- IN Italy an Italian woman,
Nine MontesSori, is Going the most
wonderful educational work with chill
5rsa Shich has ever beer known in the
history Of the world.
BErne Montessori appeals TO the in
diyiduaiity of each child; she leaves 1t
free to do its duties its own way. She
imposes no restraints; never opposes the
child, and never arouses its perversity
or its combativeness. AS result, the
children under her care develop all the
shining virtues which are so rare TO hnd
in our public schools or our private
institutions of education. or our colleges.
They become poised, and develop won
derful concentration. Order, system,
neatness, cleanliness, industry. construc-
tiveness are some of the qualities
which invariably result from the Mon
tessori method of child training.
Here in America a woman is trying
a similar method in her outdoor school
for children.
1t has been established only a COM
paratively brief time. but it has become
already a glorious success.
This school means a new era In
American education.
1t means better health, better eye
sight larger stature, and more nsau'y
for the growing generation, because the
SChOOi Is held out OF doors the greater
portion Of the school year.
And nature, rather than books, pro-
vides much of the study for the young
children.
Hold All Kindergarten schools Ont
of Doors.
Children under twelve years of age
were never intended by the Creator to
use their eyes poring over books.
Nothing they obtain from books can
compensate for the impaired sight and
the anaemic conditions which result so
frequently from close application TO
study in crowded school rooms.
The kindergarten system of teaching
young children is a step in the right
direction: but TO hold all kindergarten
schools out of doors would be longer
step in the same direction.
To an inquiriag friend in Philadelphia
the woman who has this school recently
wrote the following brief but compre-
hensive statement of her aims:
We are making a demonstration OF 4
theory of education which provides for
every child equality OF opportunity for
the development of his powers in har-
smnny with the law OF his being.
The aim is to prove beyond the posi-
biIity of doubt that true education inn
proves and perfects the entire organism.
that is, makes the body stronger. the
mind more intelligent, the spirit sweeter
The province of the school is TO
supply the environment that will perfect
and improve the entire Organism-hence
must be organic.
IF the nature of the child demands
freedom. the school may not require him
TO sit at stationary desks and keep ST.
lence.
IF the organism requires out-of-door
.
many children TO occupy one room sew
eral hours each day. but must give the
Cut-of-doors required.
IF the mind of the child develops by
Investigation. experimentation, and ex-
perience the school must not forever
compel him to learn lessons taking
everything on authority, thus sitting his
reasoning power, but must give him
time and opportunity TO grow normally,
intellectually, as he should physically.
The Work Must he Made to Fit the
Child.
The demonstration has been in prog
ress four years, and is now entering the
fifth years of work. The enrolment
four years ago was siX-at the opening
Of this year il numbered 100"
Organic eduction means the education
OF the entire organism It means provid-
ing proper exercise for the development
CT the whole being.
The chief end of education is moral
and moral conceptions are gained by
experience rather than through instruc-
tion.
That which holds the interest deter
mines the action.
An environment must be provided
which will be wholesome and at the same
time enlist the keenest interest.
Freedom of choice and self-prompted
activity must be allowed if a strong will
would be developed.
\ child who is always controlled and
never learns self control, who is ever d.
rected and never self-dirt cted, whose at