CHILD TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 201, 26 August 1939, Page 17

CHILD TRAINING.

LET THEM HELP.

ENCOURAGE IMAGINATION

The welfare of children is a subject for much intelligent investigation. People are ambitions to make a success of perhaps the most difficult task in which they can be engaged, that of rearing a child. To-day it is realised that a child should l>e allowed to develop freely, depending upon the natural restraint of civilised manners to curb any faults which may show signs of developing. The first five or six years are the most important of a child's life, beeausc it is then that the foundation of its character is made. Intelligent supervision and control of all its actions is necessary from the parent, but not wild bullying into obedience.

Perhaps the best disciplining influence is a sense of responsibility. So many children delight in imitating their parents in real work, that it is an excellent plan to give them little jobs of their own to do.

Toy brooms for the little girls, if you iike, but what is better than a toy gardening outfit and a plot of ground at the other end of the yard for the children to cultivate. If there are more than one, why not offer a prize at the end of the year for the best garden just to heighten the interest, and keep it high during those dull patches which always occur from time to time in a garden? Joy In Tasks. Little boys and girls get all the joy ill the world from such simple tasks. It will keep them out of doors, give them an interest in things outside themselves and generally tend to make them happier and more self-reliant. In addition there is an excellent opportunity for the parent to join in the fun and to be instructed in the art of gardening from the youngest member. It will make this instruction business less lopsided, won't it ? If Dad has a habit of pottering around the place on Sundays making funny little gadgets for the home, and the son feels inclilied to do the same — let him. Keep a child busily engaged, >ut happily so. .Never bother him to get the job done in a specified time. If it takes weeks, let him learn that it does not matter so long as it is finished in the end. Keep a good library of children's books in the home. Choose books with plenty of adventure in them —books that will attract for their story alone. The most important item in a book is the Story, and be sure that it is good-, with plenty of adventure, culminating in the final triumph of the hero and the heroine. It will win the youngster's imagination and teach him the best thing a boy or girl can know—courage. It is an excellent idea to have two libraries. Your own and your children's. If you wish to borrow from the child, ask for it and allow him to lend it to you. On the other hand, if the child desires a book from the parent book case, teach him to ask for it and to use it-carefully. This will train him in respect of other people's property and generosity with his own. Hobbies Necessary. Give children plenty of hobbies. It does not matter if they take one up and drop it after a while, sooner or later vou will find a hobby tor them that will absorb their interest and keep them busy. Then give them all the scope in the world to develop it. Throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. " Teach them to create for the sheer joy of creating, and help them when they need your help. Above all listen to them when they chatter to you about it, and take their gifts when they bring them, no matter how ugly they may be. For of such stuff as this men and women are made. In creating things men and women find themselves. After all, it is only natural.