The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-05-15

Another ray in the dawn Of the
new nternationaIism is seen by many
educators In the transfer of the Third
International Montessori Teachers
Training School from italy to this
country. II opened in Los Angeles
May I. its distinguished founder hav-
ing arrived a few days before. the
session viii continue four months and
while. because OF the unsettled condi-
lions in Europe, the number OF for
eign students is small compared with
the attendance at the two previous
sessions held in Rome il will givs
Dr. Montessori an opportunity 10
demonstrate her remarkable educa-
tional discoveries in the country
which is best fitted 10 put them into
effect. DIR. Montessori believes as oid
ForeboI. the founder OF the kinder
zarten, that the democratic influences
or our great republic are better
ada pied 10 the Development OF true
educational ideals than are the mon
archial countries of Europe
Advantage has been taken OF DR..
Montessori's presence in this coun-
try TO secure her representation upon
the program of the fnternationa!
Kindergarten Congress. TO be held in
San Francisco in August. in conJunc-
ton with the International Congress
Of Education under the auspices of the
National Education Association IL
Is felt that this recognition OF DIR.
Montessori's work by the kinder
Sartners of this country viii go far
towards bringing about better IN
Outstanding of these TWO great deyei-
cpments in child culture
In addition TO their agreement as
10 the advantages offered by tntA
country for the development OF their
educational ideals. Froebel and Mon
;essori both accept the sane basis
upon which TO begin the education o.
the child. This basic theory IS thai
every child between the ages OF three
and six is trong individualistic. .1s
has little inclination 10 wo:k with
others Let me do il myself. I:
his cry. The Montessori principle Is
that This characteristic should De
cultivated. instead of being weakened
by having children BEGIN work IN
groups al 100 early an age Froebei
said: '.Because a little child is so
fndividuaiistic we should help HIM
gradually 10 the JOY of working IN
groups Despite the fact that these
two principles seem diametricaiis
opposed 10 each other. the Leaders d
both educational movements believe
in the ultimate possibility of some
sort OF correlation between them II
is feIr that Dr. Montessoris presence
al the great kindergarten congress
will aid in this.
superficial criticism OF the kin
derga-Sen sometimes indicates that
the child is entertained rather thah
instructed. and that the work he does
in school does not fiji him for HE
This is not true regarding properly
conducted class. The NontessoF1
system has been designed with the
| idea OF giving each act of the cnlto
some permanent ard practical value
I in developing some particular sense
Sight. hearing. smell. touch and taste
! are all given equal cultivation os
I means OF special apparatus or ma
t.r:aI. each article of which mas been
the result of long scientific study.
The FIRST lesson the child has TO
learn is that OF order. and this IS a
principle which is emphasized
throughout his entire course o.
sfudv. While little one is always
permittec TO select the thing he
wants to do. ne = not permitted to
continue It if ii Is TOO complicated foi'
his comprehension. His energy IS
guided into some simpler channel IN
Ill he has acquired skill for the more
advanced WORK
y toy which is usually the first TO
attract the attention OF the Montes-
sori child. consists OF block OF WOOD
about foot long. In the top OF II
each or when fits perfectly in the
/ hole desi gned for il. This combines
| training or sight and touch The
| buttoning frames are also designed
:; for the younger children In these
co-ordinated movements of the little
fingers are developed by fasten-
/! ing buttons like those upon 4their
own clothing. Two pieces of leather
in a frame are fastened together by
shoe buttoner in just the same
way as the shoes on the child leet-
For the benefit of the little one who
has advanced to MILDLY blouses. one
( frame contains two pieces OF cioth.
each having eyeletS down one edge
which are laced up with the same
kind of cord as is worn IN the
+. chiId's blouse. Another frame ms
cloth edged with pieces of attractive
ribbon which the little one soon de-
lights in tytng into smooth. even
bows.
writing is taught b. the combina-
ton of several processes. The child
first becomes adept in the handling
or 3 pencil BY tracing outlines IN
metal forms Next he Is given some
sheets OF paper containing letters
OF sand paper smoothly pasted on
His sense of touch enables him TO
guide his fingers over the outlines
and in This way his hand becomes ae-
customed 10 making the curves just
as he has learned 10 hold pencil
before the writing really begins. so
that ii follows as simple Srada-
ton
The sense of hearing is stimulat-
ed BY the handling of pairs OF small
wooden boxes containing pebbles.
seeds and other articles. The child