Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-01-17
DIRECTIONS FROx PARENTS.
Mr. Mccarthy Sets Forth few Ideas Which are
Frequently OverlOoked.
IwoEcEsIEn ACADEMY.

NohCheTNu ACADEMY, I
NISIrA, 1. r., Jan. IS, iss9.
To the Editor OF the CHIEFrAIN, DEAR sIH:-
Will you kindly allow me to say a word 10
your readers concerning suggsstlons and d.
rsctions occasionally received at the academy,
like all other schools, about what and how
children shall study. Parents have . right to
suggest and even 10 direct teachers about
handling their children. Al the academy we
always welcome suggestions aud az a rule are
greatly helped by them. But one or two
things need TO be remembered. We have some
experience In handling children and our We've
too are entitled to something OF respectful
consideration. Again, We have a. great an in
tereat as anyone, even the parent. In q child
making progress. II child Is spsadi ng days
and weeks with us and has nothing 10 show
forit. II reneets upon US As severely a. any
bodyi the ehild In a certain and very mark ed
sense Is ours.
So much about directions In generali now
about particular directions. The one we
hear most frequently Is that children should be
advanced Into higher readers, regardless OF
their being brought up In other studies.
There are two dangers here for children 10 en-
counter which are seldom taken into account.
even BY tsaehersi one is that a very poor kind
reading satishoA some teachers and as q con-
sequenes the higher classes In Almos, every
school are full OF figneramuses who have SPELL
ed their way through the readers from hrst to
/ nth, but have never learned TO ,Ad aud can
not now read thu books they are supposed to
study.
The other danger is that the child will learn 70
read we'll aud make the sad mistake Of bsiisV-
Ing that readingis all there Is OF education
The education that comes ty reading alone Il
a meagsr and oontemptlbls Kind anyway. All
idle men are great rsadsrsi the inmates OF
state prisons are as rule passionate readers,
Why9 Because reading, especially the hind
young and unlnssrueted. persons choose foI
themselves, 10 81 the kind which stimulAtos
Imagination an d feeling anu passion aud dis.
content, without calling for the industry the
patience aud self-oontrol which ground man
In solid reason and senss. In the hrst case
the child may be spoilsdi IN the second he MAJ
be ralned, and = rain OF this kiad is far ffon
being picturesque or pleasing, or safe.
Another comhlon request fraught with biz
consequence Ia that ehil'lrsns hould from otL.
sr causes than illnesAbe excused from one and
another study, usually, - save parent IRON
some trining ineonvenlence. what 10 . chile
80 excused doing when his fellows are per-
forming their reasonable duty9 first, grow
Ing upln idleness and discomfort until they
bind him like a ehAini second, allowing ca
pAbllitlss 20 lie In him dormant and undlscov v
cred, the child becoming generally sslf-dis
trastful and inenhcient. His companions al
this time are not only acquiring little infoF-
matlon but are being Impressed with a'sense o
oftheir own capabilities And resources. ans
eome 10 believe and know there are some
thlngs-many thlngs-they are capable OF
The north and south poles are not 40 far sparl
a. the two children, one OF whom says eurti
81 ean'ti'' the other''I think l cnniI'li try D
lfany person reading this note 10 disposed
10 doubt the gravity or lmporiance OF the mat
ters suggested here. he does not stand where
Istand. and see what see. lie has not soeI
40 many young people as I have. who have
something desperately wrong with them an,
know not what tls. Theae Influences, origl
mating 10 merecareIesanesa. .thoug hnot making
muehsnoIae IN the world are doing mach harm
lsfeeI Il my duty 70 rosist and dlucouptenanc
them and look for tupport 10 an intelllson
aud enlightened .community which expcct
seme day 10 .bsoome not only q community 0
schools bat of sound and true ana senslhl
seAolarslup JeHs hecfHTny.