departments where pens are first used in the Writing Class should see to it that they are held in the correct way. A little labour bestowed on this point at the beginning of a child’s writing will save a ton of trouble in after years.
Eccentricities in the modes of holding the pen must not be entertained or encouraged for a moment, such as placing the pen between the first two fingers or between the 2nd and 3rd. These and similar vagaries are as absurd as they are clumsy and unscientific, and remind one of the directions given in a manual treating (in part) of writing and how it should be taught. Said this author “let your scholars hold their pens as they like; it is quite immaterial how they hold the pen so long as they learn to write well!”
Briefly then we may consider the positions to be as follow, of:–
- The Writer; square, erect, easy, natural.
- The Book; the Straight Middle Position.
- The Pen; obliquely between thumb and two forefingers, in a line with arm.
By a consistent observance of these rules much will be done towards a great and marked improvement in the writing of our School-children.
At this point it will be appropriate to speak about the direction of the light under which children should write. Obviously pupils should not sit with their backs to the light, neither should a brilliant South light fall directly upon them from the front, the effect of which would be injury to the eyes from the insupportable glare and the reflection from white paper. Side lights are therefore to be preferred, and of the two the left side-light is superior and should be secured whenever possible. This conclusion harmonizes with general experience, in the office, the study and the Schoolroom.[1]
It is highly gratifying to learn that on the Continent many
- ↑ The light must be sufficiently strong and fall on the table from the left-hand side, and, as far as possible, from above (Dr. R. Liebrich, “School-life in its influence on Sight.”).
