DAY AT THE MERRILL-PALMER SCHOOL [DETROIT] [PARTS 1-5],A

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Exterior of school on residential street - passing 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.” “Such training cannot be given from text books alone, actual experience in life situations is necessary. The nursery school is part of the program for providing such experience for its students.” Woman leads two small children from automobile parked at curb - enter building - woman examines mouth and arms of small boy. “Intent on his day’s business he forgets the ‘good-bye’ and mother wisely doesn’t insist upon it.” Mother leaves, small boys go upstairs. “The healthful drink of water for each and all. Most children do not drink enough water.” Small children drinking water. “Now for a joyous day of work and play.” Women seated at tables direct activities of children at each table. “And each for the joy of working and each in his separate way. “ “Giving the bird a bath.” “Feeding the fish.” “I’m going to paint the pot green for my bulb.” Woman supervises while girl fills flower pot with earth, boy waters plant. “First expressions in art.” Children painting. “Joy in the household task.” Children washing dishes. “The young carpenters making a wagon -- (boys and girls both).” Boy marks and saws a piece of wood. “Getting rid of the superfluous.” Boy removes belt over shoulder, continues sawing wood. “Let him do it himself. There is joy in accomplishment.” Woman holds board for boy while he hammers nail to attach wheel - close-up of finished wagon with wheels. “Playing in the house we built.” “Father makes the sidewalk.” Boy lays out sidewalk with blocks. “The young engineers -- learning to reason.” Two boys using various shaped building blocks, one topples partly completed structure. “‘The tunnel broke over.’” “‘The top of my train broke it all down.’” “‘We need some big ones.’” Boys continue playing with building blocks. “Solving little problems leads to solving big ones.” Boys push toy truck and train through tunnel they constructed. “Choo! Choo! Choo!” “Time to clean up.” Children put away toys. “Mid-morning lunch before we go outdoors.” “Down it goes -- and its tomato juice and cod liver oil!” Children drink, replace glasses, wipe their mouths. “All the motions but the most important one…'Wipe your mouth, Bobby.’” “On with our wraps.” Woman assists children putting on coats and hats. “Stages in learning…the two-year old.” Small child having difficulty putting on coat and hat. [1927]