What should be observed in physical culture relates either to the
exercise of voluntary movements or of the organs of sense. As to
the motor training, the first condition is that “the child should
always help himself” (2: p. 60). Strength and skill, quickness and
self-reliance are thus developed. He recognizes a coördinate relation
between the sense and muscle. Touching upon the psychology and
pedagogy of various outdoor games common among children, he recommends
those games as the best which “unite the development of skill with
the exercise of the senses.” Moreover, these games entered upon by
the children serve them as an unconscious training for self-denial,
hardship, privations, and the habit of constant occupation, and,
besides, have a beneficial bearing on their social life. “A lively boy
will sooner become a good man than a conceited and priggish lad” (2:
p. 64). He also drops a line on the task of gymnastics, saying that
since they are merely intended to direct Nature, we must not aim at
artificial grace nor the perfection of performance. Thus, Kant not only
shows his broad pedagogical view in advocating children’s games for the
culture of the senses and muscles, but anticipates one of the great
discoveries of modern psychology--the mentality of the muscles.
In mental culture we can distinguish two kinds: one “free,” the other
“scholastic.” By free culture children’s natural learning by their
spontaneous activities is meant; it is, so to speak, a play, a pastime,
or an occupation in leisure. It goes on all the time, without our
interference; our function is simply to observe and guide it properly.
Scholastic culture, on the other hand, constitutes work, business,
or an occupation by compulsion. “In _work_, the occupation is
not pleasant in itself, but it is undertaken for the sake of the end
in view.... It is of great importance that children should learn
to work. Man is the only animal who is obliged to work. He must go
through a long apprenticeship before he can enjoy anything for his own
sustenance” (2: pp. 68-69). And it is in man’s nature that he wants
occupation, even though it involves a certain amount of restraint.
Therefore, Kant disagrees with Basedow’s view “that children should be
allowed to learn everything, as it were, in play.” Play and work should
go together, and the school is intended for the cultivation of the
work interest and work-habit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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