Abstract
This study investigates the progress of skill in peeling during three years. Subjects are 25 mentally retarded students, aged 15 to 18. A series of two different materials : radish and "kaki" were given to the subjects. A piece of round Japanese radish in lengths of about 2cm were pared from outside to the center. Length of peeling like ribbon were measured as long as possible several times every year. Each student pared 10 "kaki" every year. Seven subjects were studied to measure peeling weight and time required. The following results were obtained. 1. Class average of length in peeling improved during the three years. 2. Patterns of their personal progress were classified into five types. Type A (2 students) showed peeling length changes from 0 to 5cm. Type B (6 students) showed changes from 20 to 100cm. Lengths of Type C (11 students) and Type D (5 students) increased from 5 to 50cm and 30cm respectively. Type E (one student) changed from 20 to 30cm. 3. Class averages of rate in peeling weight and time showed a decrease in the third year against the first year. Rate and time of peeling decreased from 23 to 21%, and 36 to 28 minutes.
