Meaning of the Movement 41 



study observation is that which is done out-of- 

 doors; but some of it can be made from material 

 brought into the schoolroom. 



The tendency is to go too far afield for the 

 subject-matter. We are more likely to know 

 the wonders of China or Brazil than of our own 

 brooks and woods. If the subject-matter is of 

 such kind that the children can see the objects 

 as they come and go from the school, and collect 

 some of them, the results will be the better. 

 As the pupil matures, he should be taken out to 

 the world activities. 



It is a sound educational principle that the 

 child should not be taught mere dilutions of 

 science. The young child cannot understand 

 cross-fertilization of flowers, and should not be 

 taught the subject. It is beyond the child's 

 realm. When we teach it to young children, 

 we are only translating what grown-up investi- 

 gators have discovered by means of faithful 

 search. At best, it will only be an exotic thing 

 to the child. Pollen and stamens are not near 

 and dear to the child. 



There are three steps in the teaching of na- 

 ture-study : 



