Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-02-17
Curiosity in Children.

- Curiosity should be as carr fully
cherished IN children, as other appe-
ti'es suppressed. lis but an appe
stie after knowledge; and therefore
ought 70 be- encouraged in Them, not
) only asa good sign, bat as great IN.
s!rnmeat nature has pr 'vieled, to re-
move that ignorance they were bnrn
with; and which, without this busy
inq,i>itmeness, viii make them d j
an useless ier'aiuras. The following
are some Of he many ways TO encour-
age it and keep il active and busy.
Avoid checking or diScoun'enahcing
any inquiries children shall make, nor
suffer them to be laughed at, bu, To
answer all questions and explain he
matter desired 10 be known, as to make
!, quite Ineligible, and sui'ed to their
capacity of age and advancement in
knowledge. Careful avoidance also
should be made not TO conlound the
understanding with -eNpica,ianS or no.
tons that are about it; or with the
variety or number of things that are not
10 the purpose Mark what i. is the
ques,iener'S mind aims at, and no.,
what words he expresses it in; and
when you have informed and satisfied
him on the topic, you will see how bis
thoughts will enlarge themselves, and
how by fit answers he may be led or
farther'1har perhaps you could mag
inc. For knowledge is grateful to lhe
understanding, as light. TO the eyes;
children are pleased and exceedingly
delighted with It, especially if they See
that their energies are regarded, and
that their desire of knowing is ehcour:
aged and-commended. sa' il s'
81 dnu5t moi But one great reason
why many children abandon them.
. selves silly sports andrai4le away ali
their time ipspiiya is, because they,
have found their curiosity baked and
their enquiries pc elected. nq % S''.4 Il
But had they been treated with more
kindness and respect, and ,,hen qnes-
lions, answered, as. lhey SHOULD ,.oo
their satisfaction, ;B'doubt noteb bat they
would have taken more, pleasure in
learnin g., and il increasing their stock
Of kuowledge.in which there would'be'
a variety, and be more what shouId'
givethem deli ght, than in being oblig-,
ed to return oyer and over againito the
same play and playthings.sa
As children S enquiries are not 10 Be
Sighted; SO also great care is le, be, tai
ken, that they never receive ldeceit/M
and'oeluddng answers. They, Easily
perceive MkahTtiqey are Sighted Of de-
eeived; fHhd qqhr:ky learn he TRICK. of
neglect discrimination and falsehoeu,
w5ieh hsy sso olAelsiq mako 4 use e
Nf.a'rsHe1hta;net- to;fnIeench upon tfVh,
insHmy'. .ceinAesxarion,a bu1sqleast,o aH1
With adRtJfen;:1 1dFs, Il i We can sp!dy'
false with then, wetnot only deceeilyAe
their: sxpeetayioh, and hinder their
'4eaoNleagg but corrupt their inno.
.celce, and@rlsFach1s them the, worst Of
vices. Children are strangers ID all We
are acquainted with; and all the things
they meet With are at first unknown 10
them, as they once were TO us; and
happy 5ase tlrnse young aspiraE,s after
truth, WHO, chance To- meet with civil
people, that will comply with their,
ignorance and help thea,Sto get lid Of
il. iio.I 3Af @Gtoef@ar r75To lr I
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