Report of Conditions in the State Institutions of Washington Together with Recommendations for Needed Changes in Administration and Legislation (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ...principles are concerned the methods employed in instructing mental defectives do not differ from those in use among normal children, but the process of education is much less rapid. Skill in manual training is a very essential factor, knowledge of kindergarten methods is another, musical ability, patience, constant repetition of lessons, and detailed analysis of each individual step are all important qualifications for educators in this line. Inasmuch as tendency to overcrowd the educational departments is demanding attention at the State Training School, as well as at this institution, we desire to emphasize the need of careful consideration being given to the matter. The best recent study of educational facilities in state institutions advises against more than 20 pupils per teacher in training schools, with about half that number per teacher in institutions caring for sub-normal children. The school-room equipment is very good. Adjustable desks are in use, kindergarten supplies and material for industrial training are provided, there is a piano in the girls' study room, an organ in the boys'. School is in session from September 1st to June 1st. Industrial Training. In addition to the ordinary school work, which is in reality but a small part of the educational department, there are various forms of industrial training. The girls are taught basketry, rug weaving, sewing, ironing and other forms of housework. It is unfortunate that the location of the kitchen is such that it has seemed wiser to use boys rather than girls in this line of domestic training. This spring the girls are to have a flower garden. The boys have a manual training shop in which the equipment is to be installed at once. They do the laundry work and assist in housework, ..