The Possibility of an Improved Course of Study for the Intelligent Children of Cultured Parents (Classic Reprint)

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Excerpt from The Possibility of an Improved Course of Study for the Intelligent Children of Cultured Parents Part I. The need for such a course is evident in any class where the bright pupils seize quickly the teacher's explanations and sit waiting for the others to catch up. The present courses are made for the multitude, not for the few whose circumstances are such that they learn much unconsciously at home with their parents and associates. Part II. Experiments showing that the work can profitably be done in less time than is commonly demanded. (a) John Stuart Mill's early education. (b) Other attempts by parents. (c) A private school in Boston. (d) Special plans for rapid promotions. Part III. A suggested course of study. Foreword When the time comes for thoughtful parents to begin the education of their oldest child, they are apt to scrutinize closely the neighboring schools. A careful survey is not altogether reassuring. In the public schools (and the private schools are but little, if any, better) hardly one child in four graduates. Of this remnant, only about 20% complete their preparation for college. Many children who enter full of enthusiasm lose this keen zest, and find school a place of weariness. These facts appall those who regard the little ones as their most priceless treasures. They feel that the best is none too good for their children. Some of them search for improved methods. "Can we not improve, " they say, "upon the plan of education handed down to us? Must all children be put into classes and be taught the same things in the same way at the same time regardless of the personality of the pupil or of his especial aptitudes and needs? Is there not some plan by which we can preserve and nourish the ardent desire to learn, which we have watched and studied in our offspring? Shall we not foster this by securing special instructors who are expert teachers? There must be a better way than any laid down in the books, and it is our business to look for it. Perhaps, others will carry forward our work." The following pages are an attempt in this direction. The first contain accounts of our present system and criticisms made by men and women who have practical knowledge on which to base their statements. The next give in some detail descriptions of attempts to educate individuals rather than masses. These are followed by a course of study intended to be suggestive. Some of the material is old and familiar, but some of it is entirely new, and the whole is offered as a contribution to the solution of the problem in hand. Pestalozzi tried to interest Napoleon in his system of education. The Corsican's only reply was that he had no time to waste on schoolmasters. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully, any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.