The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-09-17

4
effective in the world
I The Special Gift.
The super-normal children are
divided into two classes: The first
class shows exceptional brightness
upon all subjects. The other may
be only normal as regards most sub
jects, but will exhibit one or two
special gifts or talents. The educa-
ton OF one Of these classes differs
materially from that of the other.
The special talent may be In a single
direction and need broadening to
render it of greatest practical value.
The child with a special gift, such as
music or art, should not have that
gift SO highly developed at the ex-
pense OF his other faculties that he
requires commission to feed and
care for him when he has arrived at
maturity. Psychologists claim that
the impractical tendencies Of genius
are entirely due to lack OF general
education. The well-rounded educa-
ton, which develops the intellect asI
q whole, will not detract from the
special gift. It is more likely to
strengthen it because all the faculties
are made stronger.
The theory Of the physical weak
ness OF the mentally precocious child
has been exploded by some striking
examples of gifted children who have
lately come into public notice. LIT
tie Winifred. sackville Steiner, Of
Pittsburg. who has become world re-
nowned for the linguistic ability she
has manifested from her babyhood.
as well as numerous other seemingly
i marvellous achievements, has enjoyed
perfect physical health from infancy.
The young miss who scanned Latin
verse at three, conversed in five Lam
guages, wrote poetry and was award
ed q diploma In Esperanto at. four.
developed physical strength and
beauty by the rhythmic dances OF all
nations, combined with the freedom
of ordinary outdoor games. She has
received careful musical instructions
and was an accomplished violinist at
eight.
No Baby Talk.
Her natural aptitude has been de-
lveloped by the all-around system OF
natural education which began by her
mother reading Latin prose to her
in her cradle days. Her sense OF
color, form sound and speech were
stimulated by keeping her surround
ed always with helpful Influences.
Baby talk and the silly nursery
rhymes which waste youthful energy
were kept from her. In their place
she was given good literature, num-
Tiers and useful information which
she accepted as amusement. Few
parents and teachers are qualified
to use all the methods evolved by
Mrs. Stoner In the development Of
her youthful prodigy, but educators
all over the country have become I'm
pressed with their value.
A number of other gifted children
are now IN the limelight as ex-
amples Of the possibilities Of judi
cfous education. Herbert Weiner.
who recently received the degree Of
doctor Of philosophy at eighteen,
graduated from Tufts college at the
age OF fourteen. Three younger
lWeiner children, now being educated
after the same methods, are expect
ed to distinguish themselves eiuaIly.
William James sidis, who entered
Harvard university at eleven and al
year later delivered a lecture upon
the Fourth Dimension, the most abb
struse problem in mathematics, is
the son Of DR.. Boris Sidis, a special
list in mental and nervous diseases.
DR.. Sidis takes the stand that disease
and nervousness result from worry,
emotional excitement and lack Of In
terest in the work at hand rather
than from undue study.
AT Earlier Age.
I'VE do not teach children any
thing in infancy for fear. Of over
developing their BRAIN" said DR..
Sidis in a recent address when in
reality the brain, like the body. gains
strength and health from use. After
the child's natural interest has been.
dulled and his brain rendered less
active than nature intended, because
it was not used in the beginning, we
put him in school and confront him
with a Heterogeneous collection of facts
which do not interest him.