A Plea For Slöjd by J. Franzen 1890
A Free PDF for the edification of all those interested in Slöjd as a craft and as an educational theory.
A Plea For Slöjd
Introduction
"Let bodily work be made a means of education, and, in consequence, let Slöjd be introduced into our schools," cries a voice more loudly day by day.
But what does this really mean? What are the friends of Slöjd really aiming at? Bodily work in school! How many parents are there who think to themselves: "My son is going to be neither a carpenter or a blacksmith; why should he be put to such rough work?" And how many mechanics who say "It is really too bad. Everybody learns a trade nowadays. How can we possibly live?" Nay, are there no even teachers to be found -- though, happily, not many -- who say: "We have no time for bodily work in our schools"?
The advocates of Slöjd however, not only wish children to be set to rough bodily work in school, but even urge that it is of such high importance that time must be found for it. As for the mechanic, he will rather gain, they say, than lose.
Their reasons for holding this view I shall endeavour to make plain in the following pages.