Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-10-28
eAtAa9tatiQaal Department.
Appropriated to the use Of Teachers Members of the
Pdolic Schools
Primary Instruction. No. 2.

In this matter of Primary Instruction
what fearful responsibility rests upon
both parent and teacher land especially
upon the parent. I say especially upon
the parent, for it is from them that the
lntantile mind receives its frstinipressios
Its first, and hence, most Important
lessons. But how many arc properly
prepared for the great work. Am mot
right in saying there is too little intelH.
gence among parents and teachers on
this subject 100 5ll To .zar s.aaql.l
One of the great errors into which we
seem to have fallen at the present day,-
is over anxiety-anxiety that the mind
of the child should become rapidly ex-
panded--prematurely developed an
anxiety overreaching both Judgment and
philosophy. difo gssa.5
This seems TO be an age characterized
by great mental excitement among all
classes; hence. children partake of it in
Their very infancy. How important then
that ia all concerned should possess correct
views upon the subject. Let, us not
forget the fact that, although the mind
is immateral and indestructible, yet, it
is allied to a material body, upon which
it depends for health and vigor. ANY
system Of mental culture which loses
sight Of this fact, snaps the very foun.
dation of that noble and God Ike struc
tnre, which, when properly reared, may
continue to grow and expand until the
finite is lost III the infinite. Until this
connection between mind and body is
better understood, parents will go on as
now, numbering their children, and COM
pelling teachers to become accessories
--and all this in the name of Education!
Sad but too true! 5a5 as sa..s.arII s.s.ff
Bereayed parent, have you forgotten
the time when you sent that little infant
son and daughter from under the pater-
nal roof to sit many hours ina day upon
q hard bench in close room breathing.
the poisonous yapors, with their little
feet swinging toward the floor; and how
they began to grow pale and Iang,il,
and beg that they mightremain at home
with father and mother, and roam il
the fields and breathe Gods. pure air
lnd hear the birds sing and be happy?
And do you remember that, in your 10
lorance, you listened not to their infau-
lie pleadings but drove the little ones
AWAY from all those happy Influences
rom natures true educators, to be de-
pooled in the forcing process which you
demand at the hands of teachers at the.
present day? And when their infautile
frames proved toe frail for the process
and you were, compelled to lay them
away in tho tomb, do you remember
hat you called it" ga most cruel dispen-
sation Of Divine Providencc.?"
Providence indeed! In your ignor-
ance and anxiety, you murdered them!
[ owthese are harsh accusations, but in
Of instances, too true. And
how much longer shall this state of
things continue? / answer until parents
and teachers become more thorough
students of nature and the laws by
which she acts. -..t .lr
/ very much doubt the wisdom of that
parent who sends a child to school at SO
ender an age as many do. Letthe first
seven or eight years Of their lives be
'pent entirely at home-learning from
heir parents, and those excellent teach
RS, provided by nature-the trees, the
ields, the brooks, the birds, and the
thousand and one little things from
which are to be learned the most itnpor-
ant and practical lessons of our lives.
Teach them much from your good ex-
implies teach them to love everything
good, and to hate everything bad. Pur-
sue this course during the first few years
IF their lives, and then you may hopet to
ook upon proper subjects for the school
room-strong and vigorous frames-ob-
serving minds, eager to grasp at know
edge, willing hands and hearts and
bright promises for the future. Y.
T.. ... ,r. ..ft