The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01
n, nERTItA G.. DOWNING,
". A., NJ. -.

TUE following principles. IL intro.
duccd into our school system,
would beyond doubt solve the
present day problems OF the edu.
cation ~ all children, special and other
wise for they make for intelligence plus
sblliiy.
pr Edward Seguin OF Paris evolved
about Mi system for the development,
both physical and mental "of idiots. the
child and mankind" Institutions sprang
" everywhere and this "psychological
method was scattered piecemeal in every
establishment" The doctors and teachers
took what they could get by IA mere
visit to Seguin's school The doctors re-
turned home and talked of medical GYM
nasti,s' and functional disease" The
teacher introduced sense training and
"objeCt lessons" The institutions gath
cred up the slice which the superin-
tendeuts each deemed most fitting to their
work and the originator OF the method
deplored this mode of spreading a system
BY breaking II up as soon as formed"
Though not ilattering to inventors II
seems ~ be quite a favorite process of
civilization. The method had the approval
OF the French Academy of Science.
J. Il. pereire. after forty years of teach
ing the deaf to speak. saw the method
reduced to the mimic language and NUT.
Ism Ainoros had hardly given the last
touch 10 his gymnastics than he saw
his work broken In fragments by the
limited comprehension of his own adj
I<p1irers. our school system to-day Is
rade ~ pieces which are misnts. The
time is ripe for this system OF SeCu,n's
g. b. brought up to date and put into use.
Dr. Moutessorl has taken a slice and
re.ntroduced II. The whole method must
b. made use Of to give us men and
women.
A recent letter from United States Com
missioner of Education Claxton saws that
a training school for the education Of
special teachers for special children Is
much needed and that the need will
grow greater. Where is the child that is
not special?
Or. sargent OF Harvard saw the need
long ago and recently introduced into the
Sargent School for Physical Education
AZ Cambridge. Mass, IA course of lectures
based "n Seguins ideas.
THIS work of Dr. Segun's IL surely
worthy of imitation to-day II brought up
20 date. ~ our knowledge of physiology
and psychology have developed much
snce Se-un's time.
To- be physiological education must first
Follow the great natural law OF action
and rspose. which is life itself"
FIRST ;he children need to he divided
inc two classes the apathetic. or slow OF
motion. and the excitabe. or quick OF
motion. These need much work which
must he different. To illustrate. the
s'aihe'lc call for quick music for calls
thtr!c work; the excitable for slow music
and slow movements for drill work The
GENERAL training OF both embraces mus
cular. initiative. merry Gus and renectiv.
functions, susceptible OF being called into
play ut any moment"
From imitation and Imagination Is de-
rived drawing from drawing writing !:
from writing reading. which should Imply
ne most extended use OF the voice in
speaking. music. &c.
The senses are trained mot only each
ore 20 be perfect in itself but as to a GER
tain extent other organs than the stomach
may be receivers OF food" The senses
must be educated so that II the use OF one
he lost another may feel and perceive
for II. The present day use Of our senses
may he much criticised No mechanic
tees well enough at first sight all parts Of
an engine No painter can create the
shades he has before him. No physician
i found whose touch is perfect enough
'1r the requirements OF his profession.
The physiological method would have our
natural senses developed as far as posi-
hle and we are not near the limits OF
the.r capacity. The idiot child has eyes,
hut he has TO be trained to look. lie sees
by chance: most people see very super
fcially. This system teaches the child
row To see nature through itself instead
~ through twenty-six letters OF the al
phahet. Cease TO teach by rote. by trust,
by faith instead of by knowing" True
knowledge comes only In this wise
Human nature should he studied from
its lowest 10 It's highest Manifestations
The first want of a people and OF an
ind vdual is strength. To-day one-third
Of our school children are pathologically
nourotic. This does not include the So
called special child" | have yet to see
why he should be branded Special" Who
Is not long or short mentally at some
point? | know Judge and a school
teacher who cannot tell time: 4 we'll