COMMON SENSE WITH CHILDREN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMON SENSE WITH CHILDREN.

It -may seem incomprehensive, but it certainly is a fact, that many people talk about children in their presence aB if they were deaf and stupid, making the silliest remarks about their health, their looks, their capabilities. This is most unwise, for little pitchers have long ears, and many a thoughtless remark has had far-reaching consequences. When speaking about children in front of them they should always be alluded to as healthy and capable, and hot as naughty, for the child > who constantly finds himself alluded to as naqghty begins to think himself so naughty that he is inclined to give up thei idea of trying/to be good. • U. V-: -

Remarks, which tend to frighten children should also be avoided, for most little children are fearless, and this should be encouraged, and not spoilt by thoughtless remarks. Wise, mothers wiil always speak about beautiful thingis and brave deeds in front of children, and never make allusions to dark holes, bogies or frightening policemen who take naughty boys and girls away and lock them, up. Mothers, of course, love the feeling of dependence .children have for them, but-they must not encourage it too much and cry out when the child attempts to do something that is beyond his scope. "Let me do it." This is another remark which is most harmful: A child inust be taught to be independent and self-reliant from his Earliest infancy; it takes patience, but unless this is encouraged he becomes lazy and depends less and less upon himself. Help the child by all means; suggest to him that together you might, accomplish what he is trying to do, but don't spoil his initiative by taking the attempted project right out of his hands.

"Don't do that, you'll fall"- is a remark' which is also very frequently heard, varied sometimes by "If you do you'll hurt yourself." These are most foolish remarks to make, for they rob the toddler of all his self-confidence. It is far better to let him try to achieve something beyond his Capability, and even if he fails> don't make any comment; he will do better next time. The; very stupidest of all remarks is— What a beautiful child"; or "What lovely eyes," etc.; etc. A child's chief arm heing his lack of'-' self-conscious-ness;! why destroy it? This type of remaTH. has been the cause of endless pr ee nuig^ constant posing, and a theatrical attitude which in all children is moet vundesirable. % •