Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-02-17
CARE OF THE CHILDREN.
Children between the Age OF Three
and six Years-Their Impressions
able Character-Gaining their
Love and Respect.

II mothers could only realize what n
critical period Their children are pass
ing through from the tn rd to the sixth
year, says Mrs. Ellis Mumma, in GOOD
HoUSekcepi1g. they would exercise more
than ordinary care during that time.
Not only physically but mentally and
morally are they undergoing a change;
n change for better or worse, according
to the care and attention they receive
from their mothers and fathers. A
father is no more exempt from certain
duties toward his offspring than the
mother. He should bear in mind that
his assistance in the control Of the child
rem is of more value to his tired wife
than the presentation to her Of a costly
gift. Ii Is at tn time that the child
rem begin to notice papa's and mammals
bearing towards n another; let this
always be one Of perfect courtesy and
respect. Nothing so quickly destroys
respect for parents rs constant bicker-
inc N the presence of their children.
The first thing "A child should be taught
Is respect for its parents and elders;
affection naturally comes with most
children and is the most valuable aid
in gaining control of their actions: next
to that is respect, without it nothing
car be accomplished for the child's well
fare. Parents should bear this in mind
that children lose respect very soon up
on hearing them disagree; using bitter
cutting words to each other. This is
intl citing the first actual pain these baby
hearts have been called upon to hear.
In the presence of this the child exDer-
fences conflicting emotions, which ends
in a pity for one parent and contempt
for the other. o parent. pause, con-
slider before You lose this hold on the
little being who has heretofore consid-
cred you perfect. Let there be unan-
unity of purpose in act, word and deed
before these little creatures, who are
susceptible to every new impression, if
you would preserve their love and re-
spect.
Where there are both boys and girls in
the same family. let il be early under
stood that there is n certain amount of
Difference due the girls from the boys,
this has a refining influence upon the
boys. An excellent way with boys is
to teach them that they are the natural
protectors of their sisters. To sum il
all up. increase the affection naturally
existing between them. in every way
possible. Reprove them for rudeness
toward one another. remembering at the
same time that they learn more from
example than in any other way.
Never laugh at pert speeches made
by a child. Most persons desire the +
children TO be considered brighter than
o hers. In consequence, rs o o rs the
innocent little things can lisp "a few
words. they are worked with and har-
assed. until in n parrot-llke way, they
commit to memory nursery rhymes.
the alphabet. etc, which they are
called upon TO repeat before strangers
until they become either bold in man
ner or painfully shy.
Never repulse a child who is Of an
inquiring turn of mind, answer him
truthfully and rs accurately as YOU can.
1t should be remembered that children
are learning something, new to them,
every hour of the day. See TO it that
what is acquired is OF the purest and
best.
80, cbildl O newborn denizen
OF lifc's great city on thy head
The glory of the morn i shed,
Like a celestial benson!
Here at the portal thou dOst stand,
And with Thy little hand
Thou opeuest the mysterious gate
Into the futures undiscovered land"
4 great deal has been said and writ
ten on the subject of punishment for
children. Parents should determine
the mode of punishment Tor their chill
drcn, being governed and gu ded alto
gether by the d sposition of the child.
When the child is the posSessor of a
nervous. excitable disposit on. gentle
means are those 10 be- used in that case.
One parent should never interfere when
the other undertakes to punish their
child; the result is always bad. giving
the child the mastery in the end, and
the consciousness that when You pun
ishcd again he can appeal TO the other
parent, and thus escape what he fully
deserves. Teach children to have
proper respect for their parents and
the miserable mode of pun Shment by
whipping VIII not have to be %resOrted
to. IL YOU enter into n controversy
with your child. be determined, be the
conqueror! Equally also if YOU have
mistakenln asserted yourself, finding
yourself Wrong afterward. %rectify the
mistake, do not continue to maintain
that you are right, or you will lose that
child's respect.
From the time a child is old enough
to sit at the table, teach him the proper
use of the knife, fork and spoon. Never
allow 4 child TO lean upon the table,
habits such rs that Will accompany him
all through his life. He should be
taught to wait patiently until his elders
are served. 1t is very important to
carefully observe these minor points.
BY proper training in the beginning
parents are saved annoyance and o
LITIGATION in the future.
At this age children should be dieted
as carefully as when they were infants.
BY this il is not meant that their diets
should consist solely of milk; by no
means. but do not fall into error so
widely prevalent. that children having
obtained their teeth are capable of di-
gesting all manner of food. This is the
chief cause of dcstruct on of life in
i = - 60 IL. -. - II