CHILD TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 2

CHILD TRAINING

TEACHING THE BACKWARD AND

DEFECTIVE

At last evening's general meeting of (lie Wellington Women Teachers' Association, held in the. Education Buildings, an interesting address upon "Backward and Defective Children" was given by Dr. Ada Paterson. There, was a good attendance of members, and Jliss C'oad, 11.A., presided. In dealing with her subject, Dr. Paterson said that until recent yjars our elementary educational system concerned 11 self with children in mass, and, regardless of fundamental differences in development and capacity, the same method of treatment was meted out to all alike. Children who could not conform to tho syllabus were the failures; only, of lateyears liad it dawned upon us that educational efforts which were made regardless of the need of the individual worn misdirected, extravagant, and futile. The sylljibus should conform to the child. It was found possible to broadly classify children into groups according to their mental capacity; to bring special educational methods within the reach of the individual child. Dr. Paterson stated that children might be divided according io niental capacities as follow:—Supernatural or bright; normal, average or fair; sub-normal or dull; nbnormal or feeble-minded. A child was said to be mentally dull' when it had the intellisrence of a child two or three years younger than itself, nnd who, though educatablo to some extent, remained permanently retarded. The mentally dull child had to be distinguished from the child who was backward from accidental circumstances in early life, such as bad health, physical defects, etc. Several instances were quoted by tho speaker of children mentally dull from accidental circumstances. Speaking of abnormal children. Dr. Paterson placed them into three grades-feeble-minded, imbecile, and idiotic—and explained the. differences as she did so. In our schools there wore at least 10 per cent, so dull and backward that, they should he tnuglit by other methods than those of the ordinary school. For these, she 'suggested -intermediate schools between the special and the ordinary, with a simplified literary curriculum and much more objective teaching nnd motor work at manual exercises. What was necessary was to make of these children wageearners and so lift an incubus from the Sta'-o. It might be nccessary to arrango at the Normal School specially adapted curricula for these children under the care of a tencher possessed of both sympathy and .enthusiasm.' It would certainly bo of value to note what degree of mental and physical aw;akcning could be thus brought about.

Dr. Paterson proceeded to note the characteristics that should he looked for in a healthy child, and thoso of the typically subnormal. These differences were shown in the latter by a temperament which was cither apathetic or excitable, slowness of movement, imperfect hearing, and speech which was delayed and sometimes unintelligible. Speech was, she told her audience, ono of the best indications of tho degree of mentality of the child. If speech were not begun until the seventh year with no organic defect to account for tlio delay, mental deficiency was almost certainly the cause. Next to speaking in symptomatic importance was the manner of walking. With regard to the treatment of backward children Dr. Pntereon was of the opinion tlint they should be segregated' and tho class should not consist of more than 15. Great attention should be paid to physical wall-being by attention to good habits, etc. Education of special senses and training of voluntary muscles, to prompt and accurate responso should precede and prepare the way for .more intellectual training; an niiseeing eye, unhearing' ear; and other obstructed avenues of approach' to the central intelligence should be opened up by sensorial gymnastics. Motor training was a' most potent factor to arouse >feeblo powers of voluntary attention, observation, and comprehension. This motor, education should be given with games. The use of music and rhythmic marching were advocated, and kindergarten methods wcro recommended as profoundly influencing the growth of defectives. At ail early age much of this training should bo directed to handicrafts and simple manual labours which would make tho individual self-supporting. . Slight degrees of defects should lis treated in special classes; | marked degrees in special schools where. they could be observed and protected. | Another typo of mental defective dealt with by Dr. Paterson showed abnormal excitability, restlessness, 'insubordination and truancy, nnd it was these children who often found their way into juvenile courts. Much juvenilo. crimc was, the. speaker maintained, due to misdirected energy. In America tho educational authorities had instituted a psychological clinique, where children might be brought pd graded according to ability and mentality. The conclusions reachedby tliis cliniquo were that vast numbers of people who had heretofore been thought vicious or ignorant were actually mentally defective, and could not do better than they . had .done. The proportion of | theso in the population was so large as I to constitute a most serious problem in I our social life. If we recognised the situ- ! ation and iidmittcd tho facts we could | thoroughly and easily detect, these cases in early childhood, and then by nroper treatment reduce to a minimum tlio seriousness of tho problem. ■ Some discussion followed, nnd DK Paterson was asked several questions by various members of the audience. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried at the close of the meeting.

Ml', and Mrs. Norman Bccthain, who havo been staying at the Midland Hotel, have returned to' Masterton.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade and Red Cross Society, Star Boating Club, .Tervois Quay, have received during this month goods and donations from tho following:— Mangapehi Rod Cross Guild. Waimii-o-mata Bed Cross Sewing Guild, I'etone Bed Cross Shop, Johnsonvillo AVomen's National Reserve, Miss Muir. Feildin" Bed Cross Sewing Guild, Hastwell School, Awahuri Bed Cross Guild. Nireaha Bed Cross Guild, Mano.ia Patriotic and Bed Cross Society, Pahiatua Ladies' Patriotic Committee, Auroa Ladies' Sewing Guild, AVallacevillo Patriotic Guild, "Keep On" League, Napier, E)s«thoi'po Bed Cross Society, l'etouo Bed Cross Shop (.£18), .fohnsonvillo W.N.K, U2 2s. lid.), Mrs. Kglinton Jit, AVallacevillo Patriotic Guild Jil, Mrs. Clcghorn. .Mrs. Long's party, Mrs. Bonnet, Spinning Sales (per Miss AVhitmore) .£1 15s. lid., AVaima Bed Cross Society.

A gnu-cooking demonstration will be given by' Miss Una Carter at tho Gas Company's demonstration room on Wednesday at 3 o'clock. The subicct is "Savouries, Shortbread, and Soup."

The run is on "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help, "GOLDEN RULE" Soap, and "GOLDEN BULK" Candles. Mrs. L. Reed, Taranaki Street.—Advt.

Shoes for little lads from 2 years up. Bar shoos, Ss. Gd. to Ms.; sandals, ss. lid. to 7s. Gd. Geo. Fo.vlds Ltd., Manners Street—Advt.