LITTLE PITCHERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16943, 18 January 1923, Page 10

LITTLE PITCHERS.

(By SONIA GREY.) “That is May, my youngest,” said Mrs Smith, as a bright-faced child of six came running to meet us. When May had returned to her play, T remarked to her mother what a very intelligent child she looked. ‘ Intelligent:-'” Airs Smith echoed in her loud voice, “ I hope slio may grow

up so then. She must Lav© something, poor child. My other three children are all so very pretty—they take after my side of the family, you know. But May I Well, really she is a great- disappoint meut to me.” i looked with apprehension at the little figure bending over her toys. “ Oh! it's all right,” Mrs Smith added. “• She's miles away—engrossed you know.” And on she went, reciting at length the virtues and vices of May and the others, criticising them with a parent’s frankness. The silent child certainly seemed “ miles away.” But I couldn’t help feeling that a lot of her mother's talk was sinking into her intelligent little head—to stay ! One of tlie greatest mistakes a grown-up can make is to think that a child is bored with adult conversation and therefore takes no heed of it. Not only does an ordinarily intelligent child hear and remember gossip repeated in her presence, but she does so in far greater detail than her “listening” elders. And everything she hears that concerns her, however distantly, sinks in and goes to form character one way or the other.' For suggestion is a powerful thing and a child will come

to think of herself as she bears herself spoken of. It is a mistake to discuss the family weaknesses and “kinks” before a child. Parents always want to discuss their children —that is only natural but. in fairness, they should do it when the children are safe in bed.