The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-06-03
Early Training of Children.

CHIIuICu u LucI dit carly luuuCCu w
put forth their powers, to resort first
to the resources within themselves,
and, as far as possible, to obtain their
objects by their own exertions. Such
an exercise strengthens the faculties,
and gradually prepares a child for ac-
ting alone; whilst the habit Of having
every thing done for him, of depend
ing upon others for his enjoyment,
enervates the mind, aud has ten
tlency to weaken the active powers.
The II can't" with which children
are apt to reply to the commands
given them, is rarely to he omitted.
II can't" is to often brought forward
merely as an excuse for Incidence, or
an apology for disobedience. Our
pupils must learn that success de-
ponds upon resolute exertion; and
that, under certain limitations, it is a
tbruth, that man can do what he
chooses to do. This conviction, adopt
ed as a practicle principle, will be
powerful ia it's effects and will ma
tcrially contribute to improve the
capacities and augment the useful
ness Of any character. Children will
act of their own accord with pru.
dence very much in proportion as We
lead them to do 50 We must mani.
fest our confidence in them, if We
would render them worthy Of it
Where can We find a being more help
less, more uu.bls to contrive for him.
self, to gnard against danger, or tt
escape from it, when 1t comes upon
him, than a child who has beer
brought up by his mothers or bis
nurses side, looking to her for every
enjoyment, and feeling lis safety to
be wholly dependent on her care
On the other hand, it may excite sur
prise to observe how much good sense
and self.possession children will dis
play when early accustomed to de-
pend upon themselves. This object
like every other connected with edu
cation, is not to be attained by great
efforts, hut gradually, and by gentle
measures. We are not to impose
upon children that which is beyon'
their strength or skill but we ma.
lead them to take pleasure in accom-
plishiDg their objects without assis
lance ; to feel it \ point Of honor t.
pursue them, Notwithstanding SOM
difficulties to extricate themselve
to submit to trouble, and surmoun
obstacles. AS it is by the ''neglec
of beginning" that bad habits ar.
contracted, we should not overloo!
even those minor occurrences Of iii
which early affords opportunities fo
intoxicating q spirit Of Independence
1t not unfrequently happens tina
mothers and nurses are pleased b
1.-THE unqualified dependence Of thos
under their care aud, for sclf-gratl
6cation, encourage tile habit at tn
expense of their influence, aud stcur
a selfish affection by rendering thel
darlings he plea and by fosterin
their babyish habits. But it is to b
remembered that general indepet
deDce and vigor Of character are pei
fectly compatible with the DEEPER
dence of affection. This, indeed,
an object Of tirst-rate Importance, an
must necessarily spring out Of t!''
|tandarest cnnnecfiOn-tlA cOnneCti(
u between mother and her children
it must be the result Of those innum'
rattle kindness, Of that flow Of 10,
and sympathy, with an affectiona
d aud judicious mother canuOt but IN
y formly display towards her childre
Such a mother has no occasion to M
ic ture the in6rmities Of her childre
that she may strengthen their ate
D. ton. 1t is to be desired that childr
should possess the greatest tende
ness towards a mother, an enjoyne
and delight in her society, a reve
ence for her opinions, and snbmissi'
to her authority, combined with po'
er to act alone, and to pursue TIL
independent objects with vigor q
. pleasure (; for it is necessary to
: that they should mingle streng
With affection ; that they should
manly as we'll as tender, and he tra
ed to help as we'll as to be helped.