Evening star., 1936-09-23
Ideas Must
HaVeTinnetO
terminate e
Mental Digestion Of
New Theories Can
not Be Hurried.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

A FTEE q seed Is sown there Is
time of silent waiting. The ex-
pectant planter must hold aloof while
the seed takes hold, terminates and
then pokes a sprout above the surface.
II he plants rightly he will not need
to worry about watering and the rest,
save under unusual conditions. Right
conditions of growth demand severe
''letting alone"
Teachers must know and regard
this principle in all their teaching.
First they prepare the way for the
idea they wish to plant. Gently
and firmly, with sure hand, just when
things are ready, they drop the idea
into place. cover it neatly and leave
1t. The time that is necessary for
the idea to Sprout, to come into ex-
preston, varies infinitely, but there is
always, no matter what the condi-
tions, the pregnant pause that allows
for termination and growth. If that
Is disregarded failure is certain.
This failure follows fast upon the
immediate testing of new work. Only
few of the class will respond ac-
curately and clearly at the time the
lesson is given. II the teacher allows
day. or several days, to go by before
testing the result of q given lesson,
the results will be much better. Glass
tests to inform the teacher about
the efficacy of her instruction, and
the children about the accuracy Of
their impressions, can usually be given
about four weeks apart The teacher
has meanwhile been celebrating, ad-
vancing, deepening the ideas she is
cultivating; repeating the knotty
points, drawing the children into CO.
operation with her. But she will not,
II she Is wise, give weekly tests, Just
to see how you are doing" More
teaching, better quality teaching and
fewer tests will bring surer and better
results.
Correcting tests uses precious nervous
energy that teachers can i'll spare.
Glass room work is severe on nerves
and teachers ought to be able to close
their work in their desks and leave
1t there until the next day without
q backward glance. Work that Is
well planned. well presented, requires
q minimum Of drill and examination.
Give the children time to digest in
formation before you ask for it in
finished form.
This principle applies to mothers
teaching. 1t is fine to take children
to see the inspiring sights Of museums,
docks, strange towns, and to attend
shows, concerts, lectures and circuses,
but beware of beginning an exam
ination the minute you reach home.
All you will get will be a weary, 20,
yes, it was nice" "Yes, I liked it."
"Yes, I saw it." Keep the question
for while. Wait for that pregnant
pause to bring life and growth to
the stored experiences and you will get
. richer, surer result.
There seems to be danger of in
telligent parents becoming family dis
trict attorneys, ferreting out facts
Mothers go home from their clubs
with mimeographed sheets Of ques-
tions to try out on their children. IF
they know this and this they are
passing. and If they know this and
this they are high grade. but If they
know these and these they are in the
genius class" In those sheets danger
lies. Better remember that after all
sowing of seed there must come that
period Of silence and waiting. You
must regard it or come to grief.
(Copyright. 1867