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Widening

The following article. ”l-low Old 15 Young." has been written for Widening Educational Horizons. by Dr. MacKinnon. Principal of Prince of Wales College. for Ed- cation week which will be ob- served thoughout this week.

IOW OLD I "YOUNG"? Fraah Mar.-Kianoa

Thinking about education should lead us to consider the young peo- ple for whom education in plan- aed. After all education is not a convenience. it is supposed to do something to people - prepare them for life. teach them to think. and help them develop some skills. You can't understand it or judge its efficiency by merely ex- aming a set of subjects. a theory. at a system. You must know the people primarily concerned - the pupils.

The study of pupils is a big sub-

t and this short article for 'Education Week” can deal with only one phase of it. In passing. however. one might state that we tend too much toward a stand- ardized oonception of students - to think of them as all alike - to forget that they include the able. the mediocre. and the dull; Hie energetic and'the lazy; the strong and the weak; the honest and the dishonest; the talkers and

the silent, the introverts and the extrnveris. and all with varying amounts of expcrience. manners.

and morality and in different stages of maturity. In school they're just like their fathers and mothers at income tax time - you set the requirements and I deadline and some are early. many wait until the last minute. some are late. a few cheat in hit. and most try to get by with the least possible ex- penditure.

The point of this article. how- Wor. is to ask the reader when he thinks a young person is ready for adult life. what age is the most productive in the human being. and whether or not motlcrn education enables young people to start life early enough.

The point is illustrated by recall- ing that there once was a day when it was common for young people to finish school at fourteen. to graduate from college in their teens and to be married at twenty.

,Many "made their mark" long be-

fore they were thirty; most great inventors. explorers. poets. paint- an. and musicians were very young men. it was possible for William Pitt to become Prime Minister at twenty-four. and the Marquis of Lorne to he Governor- General of Canada at thirty-three. and Mr. Mac-Kenzie to be Deputy Minister of Labour at twenty-six. The winners of responsible gov- ernment. the Fathers of Confed- eration, and the foitnding fathers of the United States were almost all young men. Indeed it was Sir William Oslcr. a shrewd judge of people as well as a great doctor. who said that-all the main ad- vances of the world came from men under forty and a large pro- portion of the world's evils fromi men over sixty. And Sir William was sixty when he said it.

Today. however. it is almost im- possible for a young person to embark on a professional career before he is twenty-five. High School graduate: today are eigh- teen; four years of college takes them to twenty-two; law. theology. engineering. and the other require a further three years at least; and post-gratliiale work may take an- other year or luo Doctors are now almost thirty before they ob- tain the customary diplomas for practice. Then one must get es- tablished. The result is that thirty or thereabouts is the marriage age for professional men and they are almost middle aged when their children are growing up. and the size of their families is thereby limited.

There seems to be something wrong somewhere. We are push- ing the childhood years into the teens and every other stage ahead a decade. If we keep on at this rate the old slogan will be chang- ed to "life begins at seventy" and pupils will be using the old age pension to pay their tuition fees.

What needs to be realized to list young people are far more mature than their elders are in- clined to admit. The folly of talk- ing "baby talk" to children is obvious. Visiting officials and dignitaries who address high school pupils usually talk down to the pupils in the most juvenile of terms and that is why so few peo- ple can carry a school audience. The same tendency has to be watched iin many teachers who are inclined to assiime that their pupils are helpless babes who have to he led by the hand into the mysteries of knowledge. .And one of the commonest criticisms of many modern textbooks is that they are written in over-simplified terms which neither stimulate nor hterest the pupils.

Nature has no such ideas. Iirls Ilature from twelve up and boys horn fourteen up. Have you ever done business with an alert teen- ager of sixteen? It he has any experience he is well able to use all his faculties and a large mea- sure of common sense. By the time .......-j-jmm-m

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Educational

he is eighteen or twenty be is as keen and alert as he will ever be in later life and quite able to hold his own with any adult. The body and brain are at their best at eighteen: the senses are keen: the judgment and reflexes are quick: and initiative and enthusiasm are at their peak. '

The difficulty is that knowledge and experience are. far behind physical development. According to our social and educational sys- tem these young people are only high school students. They are just starting language; they have had only a bare introduction to history; and. at the age when the human animal loves to "tinker" with machines and solve problems, they are only getting started in science and mathematics. Worse still is the fact that too many sub- jects taught at this age involve a great deal of routine (language vocabulary and rules. for instance) while the young person is past the age for routine and is really ready for the more advanced stage of using his judgment. This is what makes school so uninteresting to so many.

Take a practical example. Try starting piano lessons at eighteen and see how hard it is to get the mind and fingers adjusted to the routine ten years too late. The same applies to languages. Teach a small child a language from the ages of six to ten and he'll have it for the rest of his life: do it from sixteen to twenty and he'll forget most of it two months after the examination. Try it with a child of six; have him taught Chinese or Hindustani if you like and hell speak it in no time. The

for years. is that the areas of the brain which deal with communi- cation (of which language is part) begin to harden after twelve years of age. and we are therefore ten years too late in teaching langu- ages.

One would be rash to suggest any infallible remedy for this sit- uation. Certainly the school curri- culum needs changing and indeed many serious students of educa- tion are predicting that it will have to change drastically in the near future if education is to keep up with the many demands which modern society is making on young people. We were perhaps a bit too hasty in throwing out many sound practices in favour of attractive. but unworkable pedagogy which weakened the curriculum. and the long years of schooling was the result.

it is not iinrcasonable to expect that many of the current "sub- jects" will give way to more basic work in the early grades or be relegated to supplementary read- ing where they can be absorbed without waste of time. If two or three subjects are done more thoroughly in the first year of school. the others will follow much easier. Reading. for example. is, on the whole. very slow. Put more time on it earlier and it will en- able the pupil to absorb things quicker later on.

Again .a little less teaching and more learning is essential. The earlier a child is taught not to depend on the teacher for every- thing biit to got things for himself the more heill learn in the long run The easiest and the worst form of teaching is to hand ev- erything oiit, the hardest yet the best form of teaching is to guide pupils into getting knowledge for themselves.

Two objections to such change are usually raised. Children. some say. are not mature enough. But doesn't maturity in the teenage years come with knowledge and experience, and wouldn't more knowledge and experience in the earlier years result in earlier ma- turlty'.' Whatever the answer is. I would like to see a few good teach- ers and experienced parents sit down with a neurologist or two and

point. practical ideas than all the curri- culum "experts" combined. Again. some might object on the ground that little pupils must be interested and motivated and they must not be frustrated by too much early work. This is true; but can't it be overdone and spoil everything? Doesn't. interest come with some competence and a de- gree of experience and isn't there a danger of mistaking interest for competence? As for frustration. it can result from work withoiil in- terest; but it also follows early interest and lack of competence. And how many children maintain a sustained interest in anything very long unless they quickly get into the midst of it? The answers to these questions reveal the great- est weakness of some forms of modern pedagogy. Again here is a good subject for experienced teachers and parents to discuss. All this is a difficult and con- troversial sublect. But it is an immensely practical one - and well worth thinking about. The

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simple fact. as eminent neurol0gists' have been trying to tell educators-

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Horizons

point is that we are- tending to prolong childhood and sdolescence in our educational system by add- ing courses and years of instruc- tion instead of strengthening ex- isting facilities. The curriculum and the theory tend to overshadow teaching and. as a result. young people are still in school when they should be married. Education should be earlier and better rather than longer.

No .one can i.mprove on Stephen Leacock's way of expressing it:

"How strange it is. our little pro- cession of life! The child says. "When I am a big boy.” But what is that? The big boy says. "When I grow up." And then. grown up. he says. "When I get married." But to be married. what is that after all'.' The thought changes to ”When I'm able to retire." And then. when retirement comes. he looks back over the landscape traversed: a cold wind seems to sweep over it; somehow he has missed it all. and it is gone. Life, we learn too late. is in the liv- ing. in the tissue of every day and hour. So it should be with edu- cation.

"But so it is not: a false view discolours it all. For the iastly greater part of it the students" one aim is to get done with it. There comes a glad time in his life when he has ”finishcd" mathematics. a happy day when he has done philosophy, an exhilarating hour ,when he realizes that he is finish- Ied with ”compiilsoi'y English." Then at last his four years are out. his sentence expired, and he steps out of college a free man. without a stain on his character -and not much on his mind. Later on. realizes how different

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Four Years in Como But Still May Recover

ASHAWAY, R.I. IAP) - The -mother patted her daughter on both cheeks and said:

"Peggy McKenzie. speak to the gentleman."

Pretty. l6-year-old Peggy open- ed her eyes. turned her head and uttered an indistinguishable sound.

Her mother asked her to smile. Peggy's lips parted. She seemed to be trying to smile.

"I know she can hear me.” said Mrs. James McKenzie. "but I don't know if she understands what I am saying."

Peggy complete four years of life in a coma Saturday. She has been in a sleep-like trance since she fell from her bicycle and struck her head on the cement pavement.

GROWING NORMALLY

At first she lay rigid and re- quired 24-hour attention because of brain spasms. Now. the family can take her for a ride or let her sit outside in a lawn chair.

Mrs. McKenzie attributes her daughter's improvement to the treatments of an osteopath. Since the treatments were begun. Peg- gy's brain spasms have become less frequent.

She is fed milk. eggs and baby foods like meat. fruit and vege- tables. Sometimes she is led through the mouth. sometimes by tube. it depends on her ciirreni condition. i

I-Ier doctor. who wishes to re- main anonymous. hopes Peggy will be a normal girl again.

”She is growing like a normal person." he said. only waiting for her to talk."

Riverof Lava Touches Village

I.V ROY ESSOYAN

PAHOA. Hawaii (APl-Flaming streams of lava. spouting from new fissures in the earth. rolled through the northern edge of abandoned Kapoho village Friday yand on toward the sea a mile - away.

Embers of five houses lay like bleached bones against the black sea of flowing lava when I flew over the village Friday morning

Two hundred yards away the main section of town stood un- touched on higher ground. It looked as though most of the empty village of 75 homes. re- built after it was razed by earth- quakes in 1924. might survive this new terror.

A second river of lava poured out of two newly opened half- mile-long fissures in this old vol- canlc area near the eastern tip of the island of Hawaii.

some pediatricians and discuss that They would produce more!

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Charloiieiown Ollicelr Graduates

Flying Officer A. F. MacDonald is shown being presented with his Navigators wings by Group Captain W. H. Swetman, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross. Canadian Forces Decoration. at a graduation ceremony that was held at R. C. A. F. Station Winnipeg on Feb. 18. Flying Officer MacDonald is the son of Mrs. W- MacDonald of 12 Pleasant St.. Charlottetown, P.E.I.

NOW JAMAICAN OIL Metals Mining Corporation Ltd. of ists feel oil - bearing formations KINGSTON. J ama i ca tAPi- Canada. has announced. The cor- tapped in Cuba are part of those Drilling of Jamaica's first oil well poration h as sole prospecting running down to the vast pools of starts March 15. Justin Feldman. rights to Jamaica and territorial oil around Trinidad and oil-rich New York representative of Base waters around the island. Geolog- Venezuela.

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lather shift for yourself . . . or let Powerglide do if?

Powerglide. too. is better than ever this year. Smoother. sturtlier. and jackrabbit quick on the getaway. Deservedly. it's the most popular automatic trzmsmissionf in Chev- rolet's field !

Shifting's smooth and easy with Chevrolet's new and finer Synchro- Mesh transmission. And now gear- shift and steering control shafts are concealed in a single, attractive housing.

Do all your own clutching . . . or save effort and gas with Overdrive?

The ”frce-wheeling" effect of Chev- rolet's new Touch-Down Overdrive eliminates much of the clutching necessary at city driving speeds. And on the highway it reduces engine speed by 2259 -greatly in- crt-:w..v.imz fuel ecorinny and reducing engine wear.

Clutching is easier than ever with Chevrolet's new, High Capacity Tri- Flex Clutch. The new pendant-type pedal and single diaphragm spring reduce the amount of foot pressure required. while other new advances ensure positive engagement.

Rather roll your own . . . or lost push a button?

Chevrolet gives you separate crank controls both for windows and venti- panes. This is yet another of the many great conveniences offered by Chevrolet -- the newest of all new cars.

Like to adjust any one window -- or all four of 'em - with the mere push of 3 button 7 Automatic window and seat controlsf are available on all Chevrolet Bel Air and "Two-Ten" models.

Position the seat yourself .

Chevroletls big, beautifully uphol- stered front seat moves up and for- ward or down and back into your most comfortable position. More in-' terior room this year for hips, hats and sbouidersl

or let electricity do it?

No need to worry about electrical equipment running your battery down in a new Chevrolet. It gives the reserve power of s 12-volt electrical system - easily cspsble at meeting your car's demands.

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studying possible use of a two- color parachute to make it easier to find lost airmen. Tiielbest colors are considered e and white. There are some ob ectlons to use of two-color 'chutes. Colored pan- els in the canopy. for instance. t so act as camouflage. hen. too. as can create static electricity so that a 'cbute might fail to open when the airnian bails out. Dyes also can result in de- terioration of the fabric. .A plane on a long trip might be passing over areas where there is snow or bare ground. The crew

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An improved braking system and new swing-type pedals make it a cinch to stop your Chevrolet on the proverbial dime. And Chevrolet's amazing new Anti-Dive control gives you "heads up” stopsl

How easy and sure can steering be? Try this new Chevrolet and see. Chevrolet uses a ball bearing system to cut friction to a minimum - and to get fast response from a twist of the wrist.

What's it high-priced car got. that Chevrolet hasn't? Not automatic power features. Not style - just look below. Not performance - just try out Chevrolet's new V8 or new valve-in-head 6. Not ride - perhaps

R.C.A.F. Studies Possible Use Of 2-Color Parachute

OTTAWA (CF)-The RCAF is would have to carry two 'chnt.ai. two-calm-stl for

t.bsnonnalwhoit.a.ono be spotted more easily

When a.Unlted States Air rm-c6 bomber went down Bukatehewan recently. one man was found because he had a two- color 'ciiut.s. White ones. are still standard in the

Two other men wer although they had 'chutes. They were found becan they were carrying vest - pocket radios which sent out distress sig-

C Are you alD0 -It -Yourse1f”DriVer . I Or would you rather be waited on lzaml amlfbot.-9

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Apply the brakes like his . . . or have power make it easier?

Rather have standard steering . . .

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Chevrolet's stealing thejhunder from the high-priced cars!

N.,I. Woman Seriously Burned

SAINT JO (CP - . pgitlthwoinen g rush)edAt: M Friday piglu ;.i

do as caught fire in--1. Ulllldlll near a stov

Aansu A. ve- e'ar- d R . noticed zm0k9oP9l"'l:;lylllnd::"tllll door of Mill Fogai-ty'g gmun: floor a artniant. Her father James aal . found the elderly woman stsn g like . torch lust inside the door

The RCAF l in tin

If the uncut. thst tlifa tlfestldslgiva tlon for finding downed airmen. 1.u' :11 the "By Portable radio transmit: er. '

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not spotted wo - color

Whats new and improved about Chevrolet? Everythingl Chevrolet Power Brakesf are better than ever - let you stop by a simple pivot of your foot from accelerator to brake pedal.

or the extra ease of Power Steering?

For parking and slow-speed turning, there's nothing quite,so easy as Power Steering, of course. Good news: Chevrolet's new linltrrze-type Power Steeringt carries a reduced

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the thing that will surprise you most is Chevroletls fine. solid feel on the road. Come put it to the test. See how Chevrolet's stealing the thunder from the high-priced cars in every wsyl

'Opfiona.l at extra cost.

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