The type of furnishing and decorating products consumed in the home as well as the type of clothing purchased for the family depends upon the understanding and appreciation which the home makers have developed for good art qualities. This in turn is dependent upon training. As one writer points out[ 6]—
* * * one's capacity richly to enjoy life is dependent upon one's capacity fully to understand and participate in the things which make up life interests. In art this is particularly true, for we can only enjoy and appreciate that which we are able to understand. Through training we may be able to appreciate and understand art even though we can not produce art to any great extent. This we may think of as mental training.
The content of an art training course may be defined in terms of objectives to be attained and these in turn should be determined through a careful consideration of the art needs of girls and women. In order to know these needs, the teacher must study the appearance, conditions, and practices in the homes of her pupils. Through observation of the general appearance and clothing of the pupils and a knowledge of their interests and activities outside of school, she will obtain much valuable information, but, in addition, it is highly desirable that she visit their homes. This first-hand knowledge of the homes and community should be secured early in the school year and prior to the art unit or course if possible. The teacher should also be constantly alert to the many opportunities offered through community functions, local stores, and newspapers for becoming more familiar with particular needs and interests in her school community.
In making contacts in the homes and community, it is essential that the teacher use utmost tact. Few homes are ideal as they are, but something good can be found in all of them. The starting point should be with the good features and from there guidance should be given in making the best possible use of what is already possessed. It would be far better for the girls to have no art work than to have the type of course that develops in them a hypercritical attitude or that creates an unhappiness or a sense of shame of their own homes. The aim of all art work is to develop appreciation, not a critical or destructive attitude.
Through such a study of girls' needs and interests certain general objectives will be set up for units of courses in related art. Through a well-planned program the majority of pupils in any situation may reasonably be expected to develop—
1. A growing interest in the beauty to be found in nature and the material things of their environment.
2. Enjoyment of good design and color found in their surroundings.
3. A desire to own and use things which have permanent artistic qualities.
4. An ability to choose things which are good in design and color and to use them effectively.
Out of these general objectives for all related art work, more specific objectives based on pupils' immediate needs and interests are essential. In terms of pupil accomplishment these objectives may be as follows:[ 7]