Minnie is self-conscious regarding her difference from other children.
She needs stimuli to action, not repressive measures. Hostility
represses her; cheerfulness and comradeship incite her to act. All fear
must be eliminated. The teacher being often near her will kindle trust
and friendship. Her powers of imitation are the chief resources for
training in free bodily action. Focus her attention upon the activities
of the others, rather than upon her own awkwardness. The influence of
her playmates will be an almost irresistible suggestion to action of the
form desired. The teacher may note circumstances under which she acts
promptly and use the information in her management of Minnie.
General health and abundant play activity underlie the whole situation.
Neither one can succeed without the other. Minnie’s condition is largely
beyond her own voluntary control. She is suffering from
under-development of the motor side of her constitution. Defects in the
lower motor nerve centers are the prime cause of the ailment. A
corresponding retardation in the development in the cerebral motor areas
has taken place. The child can not image her bodily movements as normal
children do. This unbalanced development in the nervous organization has
been the chief cause of her low standing mentally. Approval will incite
complacency, good cheer, comradeship, hope and the like; these are all
strong contributions to good nerve activity.
Encouragement and gentle stimulation may often be combined.