RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDU CATION, DELIVERED BY C. C HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 184, 23 April 1878, Page 3

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDU CATION, DELIVERED BY C. C HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Second Course—Methods of Teaching and Organization.

Lecture XVIII. — Subject — Domestic Economy, and Laws of Health. Methods of teaching them ; schools ot needlework and cookery.

The paramount importance of the above •studies in connection with elementary education was strongly insisted upon by Mr Howard. The lecturer contended that right principles of education are not understood by our' rulers, and that an educational revolution is absolutely necessary that first principles may be returned to. Mr Howard asked •'< what are we educating for? "and quoted Spenser that " the great object of education is to live, in the highest and noblest sense, physically, mentally, and morally, as the desting of being." Huxley says that "if any old Roman of tho fourth century could awake from death, he would declare that the nineteenth century presents but little change in the manner of education, and that very little improvement has been made during the intervening period." Spenser asks " how many persons are living physically as strong as they ought to be," and asserts " that the cause of so much weakness and decay arises from neglect of physical laws." 40 per cent of deaths proceed from purely preventible causes, from neglect of a few common rules of health. The tendency of the present day is, in Mr Howard's opinion, to make the education of boys and girls mere ornament and show. Teachers should study the structure of the body, and the laws which regulate health. Domestic Economy, not less than that of health, is of much importance as a study for the teacher of youth. The neglect of this subject is the cause of so much bad household management, the annoyance of bad servants, and of waste, extravagance, &c, all of which may be traced to the ignorance of mistresses and servants of true domestic economy, A practical knowledge of this subject is of far more importance to good education, especially to girls, than history and geography, which are really nonessential but with which girls are much over-weighted. *-' Domestic Economy and the Laws of Health" are absolutely essential as studies in the common school, and every girl especially should possess, a good knowledge of household management before leaving school. A knowledge of physiology is not absolutely necessary before commencing the study of the subject. Oral lessons should be given on the structure of the skin, digestion, &c, air, food, clothing, cleanliness, warmth, light, exercise, rest, &c. One lesson each week should be give. The series of lessons should also embrace causes of disease their remedies, treatment, prevention and cure; also the treatment of common accidents such as burns, scalds, bruises, and wounds. Mr Howard strongly recommended " Mrs Buckton's, Health in the House," and Whitehead's series of reading books for girls. To girls lessons should be given on the management of sick rooms, and recipes for sick cookery. Private note books should be used; by children and as frequently as any especial subject may be suggested. Oral' lessons are preferable to reading lessons for' this purpose. Special lessonsishould be. given upon the preparation of food and clothing Ignorance of these things often ] causes much waste of money upon both.v The knowledge imparted should embrace both theory and practice, and include the =.. preparation of both solid and liquid foods. Schools of cookery, though very valuable, are not always practicable. Give recipes and theoretical teaching on household matters as for instance, how to arrange a set of household dinners. Lessons on clothing more practicable—why, what kind, how to cut out. Fancy work should not be altogether omitted, and knitting is very indispensable. Lessons must be supplemented by regular practice. Give special prizes for various kinds of works, and lessons on household work, how to do and how to plan, also right-and wrong ways of doing things.