The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-07-02
JUDGMENT AND FoRETHoUoHT IN
THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.

In 4 very thoughtful and suggestive
inquiry as TO the reason why "promis-
ing" children so seldom turn out as
parents and friends anticipate, the Phil
adclphia Pn6he Ledgey discovers a po.
tent cause of failure in the man which
parents will find worthy Of serious con-
sideration. After speaking of the more
familiar ways Of spelling children by
unwisc management or improper train
ing, the LeIScr says:
The truth is, we need more fore
thought and less self-indulgence in the
training of our youth. We please our
selves too much and study their future
too little. II is so easy and pleasant to
crafty our own vanity or ampiti... ="
stimulating and exhibiting them in
points where they excel; il is so hard
and comparatively tame to exercise
them in what they are deficient, and to
foster their most meager abilities. Yet
until educators acquire the necessary
self-control and patience to do the lat
ter; until they can work quietly and
steadfastly without display and fix their
aim on future results instead Of present
glitter, the most promising children will
continue TO sink down into inferior men
and women.
The qualities that are the most attrac-
tive in childhood are not by any means
the most valuable in maturity. We look
for determination, will, decision Of char
actcr, firmncsS in the man, and refuse
him our respect If he have them not
But when the child exhibits these quail
tiles, even in their incipient stages, We
are annoyed, and perhaps, repulsed.-
Instead of rejoicing in his strength Of
will and guiding il into right channels,
we lament it as grievous fault in him
and 4 misfortune TO us. II is the meek
and yielding child who cares not to de-
eide anything for himself, in whom We
delight, and whose feeble will we make
still feebler by denying it all exercise.
Yet, when he grows up and enters the
world and yields to temptation, and,
perhaps, disgraccs himself and his fami-
ly, we look at him in imbecile wonder
that SO good child should have turned
out to be so bad man, when, in truth,
his course has only been the natural
outcome of his past life and training
The power Of standing firm and going
alone We know to be desirable in the
adult, but the child seems more lovable
who is utterly dependent upon US, and
We therefore strive to cherish this de-
pcndencc, shutting our eyes to the fact
that We are thus actually uniting him
for the life that awaits him. Concen-
tration, too, is quality that We admire
IN the adult, but greatly under-value in
the child. We prefer that he may be
easily drawn away from what he is en-
gagged in, and quickly turned from one
thing TO another at our pleasure; and
while we praise him for his ready obedi-
ence, or rcbukc him for seeming alb
sorbed, VIC are really breaking down the
power OF concentration, and depriving
him Of its invaluable results.
1t is true that many things are suita-
bic for manhood that are not for child
hood, but this is not the case with men.
tai and moral qualities. II il were there
could be no such thing rs consistent
preparations for good and useful life.
Every quality that the man or woman
needs is incipient in the child, and
needs development and exercise. Our
part in his training is not to cherish in
him simply what is most attractive to
ourselves, or what feeds our own and
his vanity, but rather to study his future
needs, and to help him to supply what
j. most lacking. II is where he is de-
ficicnt, not where he cxcels, that our
earnest efforts are demanded. Not un-
Ill parents and teachers realize this SO
fully is to identity with it their highest
interest ard pleasure in their charges,
will promising children fulfill their
promises, and the question no longer
BE- asked, "What has become OF them?"