244 NATURE STUDY. 



children's sympathy with the world of life than hours 

 of drawing or talking or writing. 



Music and its strongest ally, poetry (the value of 

 which is considered in discussing the relation of nature 

 study to literature), are exceedingly helpful in cultivat- 

 ing the reverential attitude which will lead our pupils 

 to join with nature in the hymn of praise to the Author 

 of nature. 



Nowhere is music, as a means of expression, so essen- 

 tial as in the primary grades. 



Sewing has had a wide use in kindergarten and pri- 

 mary work. When the children can select for them- 

 selves the threads to match the color they wish to 

 express, the sewing becomes helpful in color work. 

 The stitching of the outline, if the work is not merely 

 mechanical, may impress the form. Sewing also trains 

 the pupil in doing orderly, careful, neat work. But its 

 value as a means of expressing ideas is very limited. 

 Little children can rarely make their own outlines ; in 

 general, they merely follow the outline pricked by the 

 teacher or some one else. Hence there can be little in- 

 dividuality, and therefore little genuine expression, 

 about such work. Furthermore, much fine work of 

 this kind is trying to both the eyes and hands of the 

 children. 



Moulding or modelling in clay is perhaps the simplest 

 and best means of expressing form which little children 

 have. With clay the children can express the third 

 dimension ? depth, as well as length and breadth. 



