Through American Eyes

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLI, Issue 5995, 8 August 1913, Page 4

Through American Eyes

Taken from recent American newspapers aud magazines.

SQUELCHING CHILDREN.

We wonder whether it ever occurs lo a young child what a great nuisance he is in the world, or what tremendous efforts the world puts forth to abate him! The whole idea of school discipline is suppression. The child must sit rigidly at his desk; he must not-move about or whisper, or even shuffle his feet; not because that is good for him-on the contrary, it is is bsd as possible for him -but be, cause if he made a sound it would atrnoy the teacher!

At home he must behave properly, which usually means in a manner lo give the least possible annoyance to his elders. With lis healthy young barbarian nerves, his overflowing physical energy, his norms 1 inclination to leap and shcut, he is a perpetual object of terror to grown-ups. If he moves at all a line of nervous tension comes into their foreheads and they look as frightened an though he were a bomb that might explode at <»ny moment.

If young children were given to reflection they would probably picture the world as a large "tpider-w-cb of sick adult nerves, which any natural motion on their part was bound to rend. They are taught implicit, un•questioning obedience, in order that the adult may shut tbenj oil instantly

(finale thildrei,-.il-J"*»--_!!1» I prtdigpoicd In ', ™0B \Awt M b* ™uch bettor for L » V I *™»"* to their 8 «j»