An Elastic Program for Five-Year-Olds

Abstract

Note: During the year 1927–1928 the Lincoln School of Teachers College extended its twelve-year program to include a group of five-year-old children with Mrs. Ethel Bliss in charge of the class. Among the members of the staff who cooperated in developing the program for this group were the school physician, the psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, and special teachers in music, physical education, and art. Helpful suggestions were made also by members of the departments of health and of education at Teachers College

At the initiating of the program it was agreed by the parents of the children and by the staff that no work in the skill subjects as such would be included, that is, there would be no formal instruction in reading, number, or writing

A thorough examination of published materials bearing on the nature and needs of five-year-olds furnished many helpful suggestions but provided little definite guidance in developing an all-round program and so the year grew into one of intensive study of the individual needs of the children in the group. This necessitated the keeping of records on health, habits, attitudes, and the activities engaged in by both individuals and the group