The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-09-10
EDUCATIONAL.
FORMATION OF CORRECT Habits in our
observation-disclosures, NeAtncss and
POlitenoss.
The Value Of Manual Training In the Edu-
cation Of Children Again
Considered.
HABITS AND CHARACTER.

HABITS AND CHARACTER.
In previous article I spoke of thu
importance in giving more attention t.
the formation Of correct habits in oul
primary schools. The true object and
aim Of the teacher should be to do all In
her power to train her pupils for lives
OF usefulness; to cultivate such tastes
and habits as will tend to make them
agreeable companions and desirable
citizens when they leave school and en-.
ter upon the duties of life. And in &C
complaining this the teacher, who stands
IN loco PARENTS, is in many respects
more influential than the parents,-
especially il she is a faithful. conscien
tious. and loving teacher. The child
under such q teacher, soon comes to fee
that what his teacher says and does i,
right beyond question. 1t is enough fol
the child to refer to his teacher for his
authority for doing or not doing Ger.
tain thing. In view of this, 1t will be
the constant aim of the true teacher to
improve every opportunity. by word and
act, to develop and streng CITIZEN the best
qualities OF the heart, and SO lead to the
establishment of such habits as will give
clear evidence Of right heart-feeling;
and, it may be added, the formation OF
good outward habits will do much to
improve the heart and strengthen its
better purposes.
Let us briefly allude to some of the
habits which the teacher should con.
stantly and earnestly labor to form,-
both by word and example, and, in
many cases, more by example than
word.
/. Obedience. 1t is for the child'i
best good and true happiness that he
early learns to be truly obedient to par
ents and teachers, and to all in author
ity. This obedience the loving teacher
may usually secure without resorting to
any severe or harsh measures. But il
should be prompt, implicit, exact, and
cheerful. There Is a sort of halfway
way, reluctantly yielded obedience,
which is of but little worth. 10 secure
this obedience in the school-room the
teacher should be very careful to have
all her requirements just and reason
able, and then have it clearly under
stood that yes means yes, and no means
no. Parents and teachers often lose
their power and influence over the
young by parleying with them. Obedi-
ence once established in the home or
primary school will manifest itself in
higher schools and in subsequent life.
2. NeatnesS. The influence of neat
ness in personal appearance and dress
is potent in many ways When the
lamented Philbrick was at the head of o
large and impOrtants school, he said,
substantially, If can induce boy to
respect himself sufficiently to come into
the school-roOm with well brushed shoes
and with neat apparel, am pretty sure
to find him orderly and respectful in his
department" Let it not be forgotten
that neatness and cleanliness in personal
appearance are promotive of good be-
havior, and the personal example of the
teacher will prove all-powerful in secur-
ing these.
s. POliteness or courteousness. The
teacher often has to do with children
who come from homes in which these
traits or habits are unknown. Harsh
words and unkind expressions are hour
ly heard, but kind words and courteous
NOihOohoA VI ttCutHlCnt ukC IL
ever, heard or felt. And yet how much
power there is in true politeness. Kind
ly words and deeds, courteous manners
and expressions, are always winning
and potent. They do much in gaining
friends and influence, and much in re-
tanning the same. Let every word and
act of the teacher, in her daily work, be
by true kindness and
courtesy, and her pupils will be ready
imitatOrs. Let every suitable opportun-
ity be wisely improved to lead the pu-
pills to appreciate the attractiveness and
worth of that true politeness which will
contribute so much to their own happi-
ness and influence, and which will SO
greatly promote the happiness Of all
with whom they may in any way be as
ISOLATED. How much the cheerful and
courteous demeanor of clerks in stores
contribute to their worth and attractive.
ness. So true is this that it should lead
every judicious merchant to regard these
rs essential traits in those whom they
take into their employment. 1t is I'M
doubleday true that many good Gus
toner has been repealed from store by
the rude and uncOurteous treatment Of
some clerk or employe. Charles North
end, in Journal Of Education.