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The McCowen Oral School For Young Deaf Children

Creator: Mary McCowen (author)
Date: 1893
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10

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2. Use kindergarten methods; give the child something to do, then supply the word to express the awakened thought.

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3. Surround the child with black-boards; teach drawing and writing from the beginning -- first for the sake of freedom of expression, and the latter for accuracy -- insist upon accuracy from the beginning.

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4. Encourage the child to ask questions, and cultivate in him a desire personally to investigate everything that comes within his observation.

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5. Place books suited to his comprehension within his reach, encourage him to read aloud, take the time to talk freely and frequently with him.

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By using this natural method from early infancy, a deaf child will acquire a knowledge and use of language which will enable him to take up the regular school-room curriculum at much less disadvantage than is possible where, as under existing circumstances, a large per cent. of deaf children from ten to fifteen years of age are still struggling with the a, b, c of language.

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Ten years ago, in 1883, our School opened as the only one, so far as known, to solicit very young deaf children as pupils, and from that time there has been a steady growth of public opinion favoring the earlier education of the deaf. In 1888, five years later, the "Sarah Fuller Home for Little Children Who Cannot Hear" was established in Massachusetts. In 1889 the "Albany Home School for the Oral Instruction of the Deaf," and in 1892 the "Home for the Training in Speech of Deaf Children before they are of School Age" in Philadelphia followed.

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We hope these little schools are but the beginning, and that the next ten years will see established all over the Union, in the great centres of population, infant kindergartens for the deaf, where they will not only be taught to talk, but will be given that careful training of the whole nature, by skilful kindergarten methods, which are now considered absolutely necessary for the proper development of the latent possibilities of the hearing child and are immeasurably more necessary for the deaf child.

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TO PARENTS AND FRIENDS.

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Things to Remember in Addressing Deaf children.

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1. Gain the attention of the child before addressing him.

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2. Speak naturally; be sure the first word is understood; if necessary unduly to emphasize a new word in first giving it, repeat the sentence till it is easily recognized when spoken in a perfectly natural manner.

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3. Avoid mouthing.

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4. Avoid speaking slowly or separating words.

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5. Avoid confining yourself to a limited vocabulary or to any one form of expression. Use a variety of idioms.

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6. Use correct conversational forms of language always in addressing the child.

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TEACHERS OF THE SCHOOL.

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Principal.
MARY T. MCCOWEN, B. D.

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Teachers.
DORA MONTGOMERY, M. ANNIE FREEMAN,
PEARL MCCOWEN, KATHERINE E. COAKER,
ANNA MURRAY, FLORENCE BENNETT.

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In Charge Of Kindergarten.
KATHERINE F. COAKER.

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Teacher of Sewing and Sloyd.
ANNA MURRAY.

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Teacher of Art.
JEAN POND MINER.

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