_Didactic Material for the Preparation for Writing and Arithmetic_
(_m_) Two sloping desks and various iron insets. (_n_) Cards on which are pasted sandpaper letters. (_o_) Two alphabets of colored cardboard and of different sizes. (_p_) A series of cards on which are pasted sandpaper figures (1, 2, 3, etc.). (_q_) A series of large cards bearing the same figures in smooth paper for the enumeration of numbers above ten. (_r_) Two boxes with small sticks for counting. (_s_) The volume of drawings belonging specially to the method, and colored pencils. (_t_) The frames for lacing, buttoning, etc., which are used for the education of the movements of the hand.
The education of the movements is very complex, as it must correspond to all the coordinated movements which the child has to establish in his physiological organism. The child, if left without guidance, is disorderly in his movements, and these disorderly movements are the _special characteristic of the little child._ In fact, he "never keeps still," and "touches everything." This is what forms the child's so-called "unruliness" and "naughtiness."
The adult would deal with him by checking these movements, with the monotonous and useless repetition "keep still." As a matter of fact, in these movements the little one is seeking the very exercise which will organize and coordinate the movements useful to man. We must, therefore, desist from the useless attempt to reduce the child to a state of immobility. We should rather give "order" to his movements, leading them to those actions towards which his efforts are actually tending. This is the aim of muscular education at this age. Once a direction is given to them, the child's movements are made towards a definite end, so that he himself grows quiet and contented, and becomes an active worker, a being calm and full of joy. This education of the movements is one of the principal factors in producing that outward appearance of "discipline" to be found in the "Children's Houses." I have already spoken at length on this subject in my other books.
The primary movements of everyday life (walking, rising, sitting, handling objects). The care of the person. Management of the household. Gardening. Manual work. Gymnastic exercises. Rhythmic movements.