The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-10-23
EXPLANATIONS.
Small Seekers After KnowIedgs FRO
pounI PuxzlInr QUESTIONS.

Small seekers After KnowIedrs rro-
Ponni PaxzlinE Qucstions.
Children's questions are frequently
posers to their elders. This is not
always because the elder is ignorant
of the matter inquired about; although.
it must be confessed that we would
have to be pretty well 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 n
better than they do the thing they ask
an explanation of. Z
This is most true with regard to de-
ining words, says Harper's Bazaar.
For instance, if it is suddenly de-
manded of us by a child of ten: What
does impression meanP" what
does influence meanp" What does
appreciate meanP" the difficulty of
putting a proper idea of the thought
into the child's mind will be seer at
once. His experience is SO limited
that many of the words we use have
to him no meaning whatever. There
are other words which we commonly
use in a sense altogether different
from that in which a child uses them;
sometimes in a different sense from
the original meaning Of the word.
Bright children will see this, and
sometimes turn the tables suddenly,
by taking the word used in a meaning
entirely opposite to our intention.
10 illustrate this: a child of six,
while being read to, insisted on turn
ing the leavesathe wrong way. making
the mother read the end of each story
before the beginning.
That is not right, Harry; you are
turning the leaves backward"
mo, mamma" He turned the
leaves quickly the other way, showing
the back cover of the book. Chats
backward"
While answering the questions of a
family of questioners. one naturally
gains experience in the business.
Here is one method of explaining
words which has been found effective.
When a 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 a definition in
as plain words as possible. in words
he is accustomed to use, and then give
an illustration drawn from his own ex.
perience, making your point that he
can apply the word himself, and SO
easily grasp the meaning. Children
never forget such explanations as that,
and they will understand quicker and
better than you would suppose pos
sible. If 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 mean?"
asked one young question-asker.
lit mean happening regularly-at
certain times For instance you come
down periodically to breakfast"
The little maid who loved t O be lazy,
caught the spirit at once Il don't
always" she said with a twinkle OF
her eye.
mo, that is true" replied the ex-
palmer, severely. .'But you should.
If breakfast is ready periodically you
should come down periodically to eat
The small listener looked solemn.
But though apparently unconvinced.
she is not likely to forget what per.
i~odically" mean
''What does dispensing meanP" she
asked after a minutes pause. dis.
pensing with a machine?"
That means doing without for {
time We a dispense with thai
paper, | think. while you eat youl
luncheon"
"Oh no. mama, please! I want t.
finish this story"
Now those explanations are there Il
stay. She knows what the word
mean, and understands them NOR,
clearly than all the dictionary defni
ton / n the world could teach her.