The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-05


of being 70 years of age, and lived
when at home with his family at
Malad City, Idaho. Yours etc.,
JOE BUSH.
The Little Ones.
From Our Lady Correspondent.
The ideal home contains one or
more little ones, who depend on the
mother for care and the first germs
of education.
! How shall this care and training
be given so as to bring in the best re-
turns?
Few mothers realize how early a
child's education may begin, without
forcing its mind in the least. AS ed
ucation is development, we may say it
really begins with the first breath of
life. I would 60 farther, and agree
with these authorities who teach
that the traits. tastes. etc., inherited
from the parents, either hinder or
advance education.
If this is true the snbject needs the
attention of every thinking man and
woman.
Beginning, however, with the lit
tie child who has come to bless the
home, we see OH reflection that in
training it to regular hours for taking
food, it's physical well being is as
sured, and it has learned one 1mpor-
tant lesson, though too young to re-
alize it, will never have to be learned
again. Later, when it has grown be-
yond sleeping all day, it is essential
that the child should take its maps at
stated times. This will insure some
time to the mother, and is a contin-
uation of the proper training. Order,
promptness and regularity, are i'm
portant elements in success aud COM
tort in life, and these traits may be
hereditary, or trained into a child
the first year of its life. Bright chill
dren begin to notice very soon, and
then it is desirable to have pretty
pictures, books, and other outgrowths
of beauty and refinement, for these
surroundings, so that unconsciously
he may be trained in these directions.
AS soon az children can talk they
are constant little interrogation
points, much to the annoyance of
parents and older friends.
What? Where? How? Why?
fall constantly from childreI's lips,
and the impatience of older folks
would be checked if they would only
consider this is natures way of be-
ginning an education.
Quickness of perception, observa-
ton, and studying for reasons, are
the traits required to make a good
student, and it lies with parents and
guardians of the little ones whether
or not they shall be quick scholars.
These traits are predominant in
early childhood, and if the trouble.
some questions are cheerfully and
promptly answered, and little pains
taken to direct the observations Of
the children, their education, or de.
velopment, will be far advanced by
the times they are old euough to GO
to public school.
They will naturally want to learn
to read, if they are taught that books
contain the knowledge they want tc
know.
No mother who is a mother wants
to send her babies to school. She
will train and guide the natural ben,
of her children's minds. teach then
to read and think, and then, wher
they are old and strong enough to g
to school without injury, they know
how to study, and love it, progres!
rapidly and become a blessing instead
of trouble to the tired teacher. Be
sides the individual benefits it is for
the public good to have such schol
ars; for the teachers, relieved of th'
care of babies and having quick
thoughtful minds to deal with, ar
themselves inspired to better work.
| 7 have been presenting the ideal
but desirable and perfectly practica
BILE plan; the facts make very diff
ferent state of affairs.
Tired, Indifferent, dull, listless
worried and impatient mothers will
not, or do not, pay any attention tt
her child's persistent "Wby?" Sh'
says, fretfully, "Oh, I don't know
:'Do stop your noise!' "You will
drive me crazy with your ques
tions"
If he picks up stone and admire
its pretty colors and smooth surface
his mother may throw it away a
"trash." If he picks up a pretty
harmless insect, and comes to her to
sympathy and information, sh'
shrieks out:
"Oh! do take that horrid bug away
it will bite you."
And the innocent child, believing
the ignorant mother, is disgusted ant
frightened out of a natural taste TO
investigation. BY the time the chill
, is four years old the mother says:
|: "He must 60 to school. He is int
mischief all the time and botherin
around. He is bright and will lear
: fast"
The ignorant woman does nc
know that while her child is quic
enough to learn in the natural way
D the artificial system will dwarf hi
: mind and arrest his bodily growth
until he will become pale, listles'
: stupid boy.
: It is q natural and sure effect of tn
1 course taken with him. His perce]