Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-10-29
EXPLANATIONS,
Small seekers After Knowledge FRO.
pound PuSsling QUESTION:.

pound Pussling Question:.
Children's questions are frequently
posers 10 their elders. This Is moi
always because the elder is ignoran,
OF the matter inquired about; although
1t must be confessed that we would
have TO be pretty we'll posted on every
subject on earth to answer all the
questions OF some young people But
1t is often difficult to give explanations
which children will understand ans
better than they do the thing they ask
an explanation Of
This Is most true with regard 10 de.
fining words, says Harpers Bazaar
For instance, If II is suddenly de-
manded of US by child OF ten: 'Wha,
does impression mean?" What
does influence mean'" What does
appreciate meanP' the difficulty OF
putting proper idea OF the thought
into tho child's mind will be seen AT
once. His experience is 50 limited
that many Of the worls VIC use have
to him no meaning whatever There
are other words which we COMMONLY
use in II sense altogether different
from that in which child uses the,u;
sometimes in different sense from
the original meaning of the word.
Bright children will see this, aad
sometimes turn the tables suddenly
by taking the word used in Il meaning
entirely opposite 20 our intention.
To illustrate this: child of six.
while being read TO. Insisted on tura-
ing the leaves the wrong way making
the mother read the end OF each sto Y
before the beginning.
That is not right Harry; you a.e
turning the leaves backward.
NO, mamma" He turned the
leaves quickly the other way, showi lg
the back cover of the book. That's
backward.
While answering the questions OF a
family of questioners one naturally
gains experience in tho business.
Here is one method of explaining
words which has been fourd effective.
When child asks the meaning of a
word, do not be foolish enough to
make him look it up in the dictionary,
as some strong minded parents do.
fondly imagining he will remember
better that way. Give definition in
rs plain words as possible, in words
he is accustomed to Use, and then give
an illustration drawn from his own en-
periencc, making your poiut that he
can apply the word himself and so
easily grasp the meaning Children
never forget such explanations Us that
and they will understand quicker aud
better than you would suppose pos
sible. II the explanation makes him
laugh, so much the better. He will
think about it; perhaps repeat it.
Only let it be prompt and apt.
What does periodical mcan?"
asked one young question-asker.
1t means happening regularly--at
certain times For instance you come
down periodically to breakfast"
The little maid who loved to be lazy,
caught the spirit at once. Il don't
always she said with twinkle OF
her eye.
NO, that is true " replied the en-
palmer, severely. But you should.
II breakfast is ready periodically you
should come down periodically to cat"
The small listener looked solemn
But though apparently unconvinced.
she is not likely TO forget what per
iodically" means,
What does dispensing mean?n she
asked after Il minutes pause. Dis
pensing with machine?"
That means doing without for a
time We can dispense with that
paper, | think. while you eat your
luncheon.
oh no. mama please! | want to
finish this story"
Now those explanations are there to
stay. She knows what the words
mean, and understands them moro
clearly than all the dictionary defini-
ton IN the world could teach her.