The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-06-17
Select Mlistellamp.
How to Begin.

AT lecture delivered recently in
Philadelphia, by School Superintendent
McAllister, on When and How should
Child be Educated?" he said: The
child first comes in contact with the
world through its senses. Education
should, therefore, begin through and by
the training of the senses and lead up
ward to the education of the intellect
ual and moral faculties. Activity is the
great law which regulates child-life,
and Froebel's principle was that all ed
ucation should be based on the self
activity of the child" Taking this, the
only true principle of education, every
mother can and should be the child's
first teacher. She is the child's first
teacher unconsciously; by thought and
intention let her be its first instructor,
directing its energies to definite ends;
have purpose when she sits down for
the children's hour invent amuse-
ments that will be instructive and will
develop the child's faculties. In these
days of encyclopedias and science prim-
ers there is no reason why a mother
who has not had the benefit of a thor
ough training should not be able to at
least give satisfactory and truthful
answer to any question propounded in
her family. OF one thing she must be
certain, that her answer is correct so
far as it goes. 1t is very grave thing
for child to find that parent has
stated thing as truth that is not a
truth. If the mother cannot answer
the question at once, let the child know
that she will find out and give it an
answer as soon as possible, and then
make it possible to be soon. There are
hundreds of mothers who will say that
it is impossible for a woman who has a
family of children and house to care
for, with the aid of one or no servant,
to give the time necessary to study to
make up for early deficiency of educa-
ton, and attend to the necessary duties
about her. The most necessary duty
you have is attending to the harmonious
development of your child; every other
duty is secondary to that; and no time
is so well spent, or profitably spent, as
that devoted to its education. Teach
ing it to use its eyes so that it will be
alive to the beauties of nature will open
to a child resource in times of tempta-
ton and sorrow; and by teaching it to dis
cover and enjoy nature, lead its thought
up to the Giver of all good. Teach ii
by contrast; point out to child the
visible effects of neglect and evil. A
child will readily understand the differ
ence between well-cared-for field and
one that is neglected; a well-developed
tree, symmetrical and thrifty, and one
crooked and barren. So, too, can the
effect of neglect and evil in man be
pointed out, and pity for the sufferer
and thankfulness for its own privil
eyes, be taught. In the training OF
children, parents do not give them
credit for the amount of intellectual
activity that they possess, and think
that children do not observe, when theil
little minds are just as busy drawing
conclusions as are the minds of those
about them. Seek, above all things, tC
be familiar with your child-yes, ia
miliar with your own child; business
the care of the house and the bodies o.
the children, have not left time to be.
come fully familiar with their mental ant
moral natures. Establish the closes
confidence in your intercourse, and lie
them always have the interest and sym
pathy shown in their affairs that they
deserve, looking at them from thu
child's standpoint. The affair that il
of trivial Importance in your estimation
is of vital importance in the child's es
timation. There is no surer way tt
shut out a child's confidence than b,
treating its affairs with Indifference o.
ridicule. Surely you have as mucl
time to give in listening to your child
projects and disturbances, ambitions
and doubts, as you have to the business
affairs of John Smith, or the household
annOyances of John Smiths wife. lie
the children, that are the light of you
life, receive the courtesy and attention
that you accord to the man or woman
in whom you have no special interest
No PERSONS happiness is so dear to you
no PERSONS interest is so dear to you
as that of your child. Recognizing
this, so arrange your household, social
and business affairs that you, you
children and your friends, will adap
themselves to the fact. - Christia
Union.