The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-01-03
Wigs, Garland Co, ARK.
WHAT SEALL OUR CHILDREN
READF

Years ago this question did not
need much thought, for the list to
choose from was very short; but now,
with the great variety of books and
the papers and magazines without
number. the matter mas assumed an
Importance which musJ not be over.
locked. The taste for reading which
a child develops or acquires Is destined
10 influence all his after life. Ii ia not
wise to wait until a child has learned
to read for himself before beginning to
foster a love Cf reading.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, in speaking
of an ideal man said, ''above all things,
as a child, he should tumble about in
a library. ALI men are afraid of books
that have not handled them from in
fancy"
A little child who cannot read may
be allowed to handle books and look at
the illustrations, but should, from the
fret, be taught that q book is a thing
OF value and one that must be handled
carefully.
In the question of reading, as in
many others touching child life, the
mother must not neglect her opportu
nifty. Commence reading to the chill
dren before they are old enough to
read for themselves, and let the sound
Of mothers voice he associated with
with the pretty things read. There
are books of Bible stories which will
interest the little ones and awaken a
love for Bible reading. Ig is surpris
ing at how early An age a taste for his
tory may be formed if care is taken TO
pick out enterGaing stories from mis-
tory at first. Nature studies are al
ways interesting to children, and be.
sides the facts taught, children are
stimulated to observe. They 5000
learn to notica everything that comes
under their e~yes-birds, leaves, in
sects, wayside weeds and ~storIes-nolh
ing is too small to attract their aGten
Gion. Encourage them to talk ABOUT
everything you read to them and every
thing they see, and you Will otten fad
that their brigh5 eyes are discovering
facts and beauties that you know
not OF.
D. not make the mistake Of confn
ing children to solid reading entirely,
but let them have Palmer Cox's
Brownies" Grimm's and AndeY ans
Fairy Tales, . "R obins On Crusoe," etc.
When a child has learned TO read, and
has a desire to read for himself, your
work is just begun. While there never
was a time when there was so much
good juvenile reading, it is, untorGu-
netely, far exceeded in amount by that
with an influence that is positively
bad. Guard against indiscriminate
reading. Be WatchtuI and never put
a book or paper in your child's hands
hands that you do o know is pure
and good. Give rhem Charles and
Mary Lambs Tales from Shake
speare," Kingsley's Grecian Fairy
Tales" Miss Alcott's books, Dickens
christmas Stories" and for stories of
adventure Cooper's Leather Stocking
Tales" Don't neglect poetry. Even
little children learn to love Longtell0w,
Whittier, IngeloW and all our best
poets, if they make their acquaintance
first from mothers lips. Encourage
the children to read aloud to you, and
be interested in what they are inter
ested in. or ought to be. Every good
teacher knows the power OF being
infested and enthusiastic in
dealing with children. a wide wake
enthusiasm in ones self will sway
men, how much more will it lead lit
tie children whittier you will.
Do not say, 81 have no time to do all
In every busy life some things
must perforce, be crowded out, but
the wise mother will see to it that it is
the least important things. Let there
be less fancy work, less frillg and trim
mings-yes, less cooking ami cleaning,
lt need be-that there may be time 60
read and talk with the children. The
children will grow to be men and wo-
men, and then you can take the time
for these other things; 6us If you neg.
.ect doirg all you can TO form q taste
pure, ennobllng reading now, when
TOO late you find your child with a
Vitiated taste, years Of regret will not
atone for your lost opportunity
MAZDA Mol in Farm 81 Fireside.