The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-03-10
For the Democratic Advocate.
Home Education.

MEssRs ErIToRs The halo of glory which you
Cover correspondent, "R. E. f., seeks TO throw
around the public schools is very beautiful, and
both the halo and the schools would be Joys forever
were the results of the schools not proving thai
they are the social the religious and the politica
disintegraton of this and some other civiiz d ma
lions. have just met with several ardent defend
of the public schools who, their inability
sustain their side of the question. have dropped II
with the exclamation that hey would least have
to respect the schools until something better was
offered: To these and others would say that home
education is the proper thing for all young chill
dren and that it is easily among the possibilities
for it 70 be given by parents and oder children IL
the will is willing for the way.
Many mothers are now undertaking this home
education. A Catholic mother in Frederick county
writes me that she was so shocked with the results
of sending her children to the public school that
she is now teaching the whole seven of them at
home. II the compulsory education bill of Mr..
Wsters should become law this lady could lie com.
PEELED to forego her home instruction and send her
children to what she considers hell, there is no
parochial school near This would be downright
Waters bill demands all instruction in private
schools and homes to comport with that of the pub
lie school examining system. This denies the pri-
vate school and the home its Individuality and is
thoroughly tyrannical.
This home idea in education is receiving wide
recognition. The Cosmopolitan, an immense mag
azine published at Irvington, N. Y. published a
prize article in its last December issue entitled
The Child Brought Up AT Home" Itsauthor was
Flora L. Briggs, and she received the prize of $50
for it over scores OF other writers the same sub
ject. But for all practical purposes most valuable
article has Just appeared, under the nom de plume
Rural of Feb. 18th, on 1.-THE Home school" 1t in
dicates the way in which am bringing up my own
mental application than she is. believe that very
little real study is necessary and that the an
swering. of children's questions at the receptive
moments in which they enquire is sufficient
"Hilda Richmond is Minnie B. Ichler, of Kenton.
Hardin county, Ohio. and think the Advocate can
well spare the space to republish her valuable
tribution to the National Rural Here it is:
THE HOME SCHOOL
By Hida Richmond.
Whenever see little boys and girls of six and
eight trudging through the snow mud to tn e
district school at this season of the year think
that there are still shortsghed parents living in
this enlightened age know many people argue
that 1t is relief for the oyerworked mother to send
the little ones away for the day. but there other
things TO De considered Many spell Of sickness
damp ground when away from the watchfnl eye of
the mother, for no teacher. however vigiant can
How many times have we all seen little ones wad-
ing through all the puddles on the way to school
OF course damp feet bad colds and sometimes seri-
Gus sickness are the natural results of such careless
ness
But the mothers say ave have no time TO teach
the little ones and do not feel competent to under
take the task even If we had the time"
But they have time to nurse them through sick
ness, much OF which Is caused by thoughtlessness,
and time for many unimportant things. Fifteen
minutes day spent in teaching will do wonders
Tor even IN school the children rece hardly oftener
than four or five times day and are expected to
sit quietly during the rest of the time If you don
think this is hard just try evening sitting still
for n couple OF hours with nothing to do and one
to talk to, and If you not in mood to sym
pathIze with your restless children who not sit
After all it Is simple matter to find time to teach
IL you really want to do 1t. While you are ironing
baking or csurning you can be giving out little
plants and animals. This need not disturb your
work at all. for the children can eagerly ask ques
tons and work on their little states without being
in ones way.
blackboard fastened to the kitchen wall is an
excellent help but if you can not afford it, large
swers the same purpose with black or gay-coiored
chalk to mark with" as the children say.
In these days of cheap maps no one need do with
out east one of the world and our own continent
and state. Many times all that Is necessary Is to
ask the congressman from your district for United
railroads issue good maps OF the section through
which they run. There is map illustrating the
Boer on the wall before me as write that is an
of metal company.
In the window of a store pass daily is an eight
inch globe for twenty five cents. There never was
a time when books good books were as cheap as
now.
Then, too, the mother has many chance to teach
are daily with her.. The little quilt pieces doll
dresses furnish employment for many happy hour
and little fingers can be taught to wipe dishes and
DO many little tasks that boys and girls should
know how to do.
The most important argument for home education
the children pure in heart and thought until they
are old enough to judge for themselves what Is
rignt ana Wnat Is wrong in their associates
lancy some mothers would open their eyes very
ground.
Emerson truly said: II sent my boy to school
md the boys on the playground educated him."
know one boy who started to school at ten and
was graduated at sixteen, six-foot, healthy happy
boy whose few school days were n pleasure for |
thorough, though simple home training along with |
healthy body enabled him to do in six years what
)ther boys and girls give twelve to doing and he is
]nly common, ordinary boy, too.
II you once begin there are dozens of little helps
hat come to you as a matter of course If this Is /
printed may some day tell of some little home
made games that are excellent for home teaching |
Give the children short lessons with ample time |
or play and rompng to develop their muscles and |
hen compare them with the children who regular
y attend school, and think you will be abuu-
antIy rewarded.
commend the above to the mothers of Carroll.
ykesv7ze Md FRANCIS B. LTyEsFY
1This article closes the discussion in this paper
,DIT0Rs ADVOCATED