If the pupils have had previous kindergarten training, they may begin with my Sloyd system at the age of seven, but if their fingers are totally untrained, then they must wait until they are nine, or at least eight years old. They may be ever so clever readers, but if their hands have been trained by nothing but writing, then there exists hardly any communication between their brains and their fingertips, and only a more advanced age can bridge over this gap.

If they be prepared to commence at seven, by the age of fourteen they ought to be through all the seven standards by four hours weekly work on an average.

Little girls acquire and develop while playing with their dolls a certain degree of handiness, so they will be apt to begin at the age of eight, even though they lack previous kindergarten training.

Older pupils, who have done no Sloyd work before, should begin with Standard I at any age, though they naturally will proceed quicker through the different standards then the little ones can do it.

Teachers who are training for the system should of course always begin with Standard I, even if they know other systems of wood work.