The
Advanced Training Institute (ATI) is the name of Bill Gothard's
homeschooling program under the primary organization called the
Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). This documentation turned
up on a Yahoo Discussion Group for those who were considering leaving
Gothard's system. I have met, in person, the woman who posted this
information, and I confirmed the information which was also forwarded
to me by the other administrator of the group at that time (ten years
later). I've included the top of the email and the header from the
administrator, and I've included choppy screen shots of a
now defunct online forum where the information was also posted.
(It
still appears in the internet cache.) Two different
administrators sent me identical information when I requested it
directly from them.
The Duggars seem to skirt the issue of corporal punishment and offer
what seems to be a retelling of the child training methods that are
already popular within their Independent
Baptist and homeschooling circles. They have also studied
and recommended the writings of Michael
Pearl in the past.
Blanket
training was adapted from Pearl to what has been renamed “blanket time”
(as BabyWise/Gary
Ezzo coined
it) -- or what Michelle has coined here as “quiet and
still.” Perhaps the word "time" seems softer than "training," or at least more human -- for the whole method is based on how one goes about training animals. She refers to the method in general terms (in their
books and on their website), yet she still uses the shared language
within these communities such as the reference to blanket training as
“a playpen in a purse.”
