17 DECEMBER 1988, Page 32

Dothekids

Sir: The article by Alexandra Artley (`Kids' Stuffing', 12 November), in which she praises the idea of teaching the mean- ing of words alongside their practical application, must have seemed familiar to readers of Nicholas Nickleby — C-1-e-a-n, clean, verb active, to make bright, to scour. W-i-n, win, d-e-r, der, winder, a casement. When the boy knows this out of the book, he goes and does it.

Gratifying to see, after all these years, that British educational philosophy has returned to the principles of Dotheboys Hall.

R. C. Solomon

6 Heath Hurst Road, London NW3