Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-02-25
Mrs. Mckee on Children.

PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's DAUGHTERS
IDEAS ON THE PUNISHMENT OF chill
DREN.
Children can be taught only as
young animals are taught-by with
holding them as much as possible from
temptation, and by the sharp and swift
punishment of any wrong doing, writes
Mrs. Mckee, the daughter of Presi-
dent Harrison. in an excellent article
on The Training of Children" in the
February Ladies Home Journal. This,
to be sure, will open to them a ph,los-
ophy that certain acts are to be avoid
ed because of the suffering which sure
!, follow. them. But the foundation
on which the philosophy is formed will
be perceived later The desired end,
in attempting to prevent a child from
doing things which are wrong CT harm
full, is to restrain il not only for the
time being, but in the future also,
from committing the indiscretion; and
| any means to this end must surely be
wise. Swift punishment, not SO Sc
we're as immediate. is advisable, it
seems TO me. with children too Young
to have any facnltie. capable of reach
ing further than that some actions are
followed by instant suffering. You
must not delay, or the sequence is lost
and the reason for the suffering will
| not be apparent to the small infant
you may find it necessary to chastse
ever so slightly.
But as the faculties develop, and
your little unreasoning baby drifts in
to childhood, with It's incesssnt curi"s-
l'y after the reason Of things. and its
infinite appetite and desire for know
ledge of any and all kinds, your re-
sponslbillies OF training actually com
mence. The knowledge of good aud
evil Is yours 10 give to your child
your word is his trust. What has
| gone before in the care OF Your infant,
as have sald-vou NAV scarcely dig
nifty II as trainiug-hss been as moth
| ing the little mind before YOU is a
blank on winch Won are to make the
| impressions the lite which embodies
II Is in your care for much Of its future
happiness or misery. As this develop
/ ment occurs be very chary Of punish
ment When your small boy tells YOU.
WIKI unbushlng etfrontery. probably
with crumbs on his face and apron.
and piece Of the sweet in his hand.
hat h., Il, Il 81 II
den TO hIm-the fins OF childhood are
! always transparent-do not punish
him. 1t is probably but the old Adam
/ which is in us all. and which can he
/ ostracized in children more firmly and
( successfully. a in grown people, by
kindness than by punishment. Take
/ the small offender in your lap, and con-
/ vince him b, logical question and an
swer, making use Of the proof in haul.
tina, he has told YOU what was not true.
/ When ne has acknowledged his con
/ viction, as the most obstinate OF chill
/ dren will if he finds that his couyic, or
I is calm and determined. show him. in
/ some practical illustration, the serious
effects Of lie and then assure him OF
the sin OF it, He has been told doubt
less, by tins age of the Christ. and has.
a. children, aud the extremely Young
chllaren more particularly. are apt 10
have, peculiarly vivid love aud pic
ture Of The Saviour in his lttlr mind
Then tell him that ies-l believe in
using the real word. not Disgusting an
untruth by any lighter designation. as
'fib" or 'story'-are srievous to Him.
and ask the lite one TO say a prayer.