Video Parts (4)
This clip is Part 1 of a 4-part film.
DAY AT THE MERRILL-PALMER SCHOOL,A Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: A Day at the Merrill-Palmer School, Part One. “The Nursery School.” Building, automobile traffic. “The Merrill-Palmer School of Detroit was established in 1920 in accordance with the will of Lizzie Merrill Palmer. In her will she says -- ‘I hold profoundly the conviction that the welfare of any community is divinely, and hence inseparably, dependent upon the quality of its motherhood, and the spirit and character of its homes.’” Plaque, ‘Lizzie Merrill Palmer, 1837-1919’ - the above caption quoted. “Such training cannot be given from textbooks alone, actual experience in life situations is necessary. The nursery school is part of the program for providing such experience for its students.” Children and teachers around tables. “Before school opens and twice a year during their stay in school, children are given thorough physical and mental examinations. A physical examination in which the child has real interest.” Little girl with doctor. “No fear of the doctor here.” “Nutrition good, and how about her posture?” Child walking, standing, climbing up on examining table - doctor measuring head and chest. “Then comes ears and teeth.” “How about her heart and lungs?” “Mental examination.” “Come on little stick.” Reeling in stick on end of string. “Just two years old.” Fitting pegs into board. “Eager to do it all himself can’t wait for directions.” Fitting boxes inside other boxes. “Cutting is just a little too hard.” Cutting paper. “‘Put these back in their box, Peter.’” Fitting blocks into box. “At four we can do lots more.” Making tower of blocks in decreasing sizes - fitting blocks of different shapes into board. “‘I did a good job that time.’” “And now the physical and mental examinations life in the nursery school.” Children being brought to school by parents. “No lagging school boy steps.” Children running and skipping up walk. “She can open the door herself and mother lets her.” “‘Here’s my locker -- off with my hat and coat.’” “Daddy is in a hurry and his small son misses a chance to do it by himself.” Man opening door for child. “Daddy waits until the nurse finds no signs of an infection. This is done every day to all in school.” “Handing in report from home.” Close-up of form - nurse looking children over. “‘Goodbye, Daddy!’” “Intent on his day’s business he forgets the ‘good-bye’ and mother wisely doesn’t insist upon it.” Child scampers off after examination by nurse. “The healthful drink of water for each and all. Most children do not drink enough water.” “Now for a joyous day of work and play.” Children and teachers at tables. “And each for the joy of working and each in his separate way.” “Giving the bird a bath.” Children watching bird in cage. “Feeding the fish.” Aquarium, several children add pinch of food. “‘I’m going to paint the pot green for my bulb.’” Planting bulbs. “First expression in art.” Children at easels. [1928]
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