Nature and nurture in mental development.

  • Mott, F. W. (Frederick Walker), 1853-1926.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Nature and nurture in mental development. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    is confronted by a difficulty and is in doubt as to his next step; the third is to correct his mistakes for him, instead of leaving him to correct them himself Dr. Montessori in Mr. Holmes's words has rediscovered Froebel's master principle of auto-education ; the teacher is the director of the spontaneous work of the child, she is a passive force, a silent presence. Dr. Montessori employs an extensive variety of apparatus suitable for educational games by which the children are interested and stimulated to acquire knowledge, and her educational system is an original and practical expression of sound psychological principles; these principles are based upon the anatomical and physiological order of development of structure and of function of the organ of mind. Little has previously been said in respect to the sense of smell and taste, but the cultivation of these senses is of more use than many people imagine; for they are a daily source of keen gratification; they frequently serve to revive pleasant associations and they are the best natural protector against unsound food, unwhole- some drink, and vitiated air. It is a remarkable fact that most mineral and vegetable substances that are poisonous are acrid, unpleasant, pungent, or bitter, and readily excite nausea, disgust, and rejection from the mouth when tasted, likewise all foul and many poisonous odours excite nausea, disgust, and aversion ; whereas pleasant tasting and smelling substances found in nature are usually wholesome and nutritious.