White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-11-26
The Modern School
MUTUAL TRAINING OR INDUSTRI-
AL ARTS
BY Charles T. Miller
lstrial Arts SuperYisor. 7


Industrial Arts Supervisor, Tacoma
why does my boy have to take
manual training? don't want him to
become carpenter" Every once in
a while parent will make some such
objection Evidently these parents do
not know what manual training should
do for their boys. AS matter of fact,
there are probably many people in
the schools as we'll as out who don't
know much about the value of manu-
al training for school children.
Although the manual training shop
is good place to learn about wood
working, yet it has never been consid-
cred merely a place to learn to be a
carpenter. Those who have encour
aged hand work in school have done
so because of it's general value in de-
veloping the mind as we'll as in de-
veloping special skill and information
In later years the subject has been
very greatly broadened. So much so
that the words manual training" do
not express the idea any more. A new
term, industrial arts, has been pretty
much accepted now because it gives a
better idea of what is included in this
subject
Among the many things that chill
dren need to be informed about is the
field of industry The rapid expan-
sion of industry in this country has
changed our way of living more than
anything else that has happened in
our history. Industry has searched
the corners of the globe for materials
to be used in it's products. 1t has,
through ten thousand new and diff
cult processes fashioned these materi-
ais for our comfort and conveniences.
1t has brought with it problems that
tax the understanding and ability of
employer and worker alike. AS part of
their education then we should give
children some knowledge and training
in this important field.
We can use great deal of this in
dustrial information, the knowledge Of
materials and processes and ability ir
hand work in promoting general edrl.
cation. We can try boy out in 6
simple way to see what his special in
terests and abilities are. Through &C.
tual experiences in the shop we car
encourage respect for honest manua
work We can help him to appreciate
the problems of the employer ant
worker and the need for mutual re
spect We can, for the boy who wishe
| it, give thorough preliminary training
in occupations which may later hell
him to earn living. We can through
experience in several kinds of sho]
work help boy to get interested il
work in which he may spend his lei
sure time. We can teach him in tn
shop to know a great deal about tn
home, the construction of the house
it's lighting, heating and plumbing. HI
can learn to make simple repairs which
when easily done add to comfort ant
satisfaction and left undone are ,
continual annoyance. We can hell
him to know and appreciate good de
sign and workmanship, to have a re
spect for nice floors, good furniture
fine woodwork and other things which
help to make a nice home.
These benefits are the result of care
full training in the industrial arts. The,
affect the daily lives of people no
only in earning living but in bring
ing to them more comfort and conven
Hence and happiness. These are i'm
portant issues in life, and any subjec
that promotes them deserves the re
spect and support of people who ar
interested in the welfare of children.