In this photo Julian illustrates the proper use of the sloyd knife. In the UK, knife work was discouraged, as boys in schools, particularly from the lower classes were not to be trusted with knives. Knives, sadly, were regarded as weapons rather than tools. Whereas the child growing up in Sweden and Finland knew the practical applications of a knife and could use it safely. For Otto Salomon's theory, you started the child's education with that which is known to the child, thus moving from the concrete to the abstract. To begin learning creative tool use with the tool already in the child's belt was sound educational theory that the social circumstances in the UK would not allow.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
proper use of knife
In this photo Julian illustrates the proper use of the sloyd knife. In the UK, knife work was discouraged, as boys in schools, particularly from the lower classes were not to be trusted with knives. Knives, sadly, were regarded as weapons rather than tools. Whereas the child growing up in Sweden and Finland knew the practical applications of a knife and could use it safely. For Otto Salomon's theory, you started the child's education with that which is known to the child, thus moving from the concrete to the abstract. To begin learning creative tool use with the tool already in the child's belt was sound educational theory that the social circumstances in the UK would not allow.
Interesting post. I love to see kids learning to use tools like this. As Salomon points out the aim is not just producing a product but it's about the benefits to body and mind.
ReplyDeleteSalomons sloyd was taken up on a wide scale in the UK in the early 20th century and still forms the basis of woodwork teaching today though few realise it. The knife was not used here but I have not seen evidence to suggest children were not trusted with it. Rather I thought it was just not a tool in everyday use as it was in Scandinavia. Why folk stopped wearing belt knives in the UK I don't know, they did in Tudor times. Perhaps it was early industrialisation and the move to cities that stopped the tradition?