The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-05
CHILDHOOD'S HAPPINESS.
The Closing Subject of the Child
Study Glasses.


At the twelfth and last regular meet
ing Of the class in child study, held at
Vha PhMbrick kindergarten yesterday
morning, Miss Backus took for her topic
1.-The Happiness of Childhood" as the
most fitting subject with which to con-
clude the series of talks.
She read an essay by Miss Anna Buck
land, giving illustrations and making re-
marks whenever the text required it. In
depriving child of a really happy child
hood" she said, 1--WE take away from
him something that he can never make up
to himself, and something that weakens
the foundations of a truly happy life. A
truly happy life is the best and most
useful one, and when happiness is culti-
waited as state of mind, wholly indie
pendent of external circumstances, true
wisdom is reached. Grief is often sell
fish, discomfort is always disagreeable,
misery is frequently a degenerated self
love or self-pity, and all these things shut
out sympathy and limit usefulness. But
health and a happy serenity are always
attractive; they uplft everyone with
whom they come in contact We have
each two selves, the small petty ego that
is isolated and narrow, and the great
world self that is the generic self, the
self of altruism and of immense power
for good. For which of these two does
a happy childhood make?
Some of the causes of our unhappy
childhood rest in the hands of the parent,
others in those of the teacher If
child is trained to recognize and respond
to law everywhere; if he is given the
proper sort of freedom, and is trained to
use it Alright if he is shown the beautiful
in nature and in humanity; if he is made
to feel the love of God through every
thing, he will be happy child.
"If on the contrary, the only law he
knows is the arbitrary law made by his
parents who vary it with every emer-
gency; if he is tyrannized over or pun
ished unjustly; if he is constantly
thwarted in all manner of harmless
trifles; if he is not allowed to use his
faculties and powers of activity as his
Creator meant, his childhood will be made
vale of tears and in after life his ma
ture will show warps and twists and
curious lacks that will be a puzzle to his
parents and teachers.
"a childs happiness consists largely of
little things, let us see to Ii that those
little things are not wanting. Whose
shall offend one of these little ones that
believe in me, it were better for him that
a milestone were hanged about his neck,
and that ne were CROWNED III the uoP'"
of the sea Not many Offend through
lack of affection but can we say as much
for lack of knowledge and insight into
child nature?"
Miss Backus feels more than encouraged
AZ the size and attendance OF her class
this wear. and her work has been made
nleasant by the interest and enthusiasm
shown in the subjects. Many mothers
have availed themselves of the books in
The kindergarten library, which contains
quite a number on general educational
tonics two sets of kindergarten magazines
for last wear. besides all the text books
In use in the two classes, some of which
are most Interesting to the general reader
Mr.. Baldwin, president OF the Kate
Baldwin Free Kindergartens, says that
II is his intention to make this library
cutie a prominent part of the work, aud
offers the use OF 1t to anyone interested
who will amply to Miss Backus for the loan
of the books. The collection of books is
kent at the Philbrick Kindergarten, SOz
Hall street, east.
II was decided at this last meeting TO
hold one evening meeting when shali
he open to all interested in kindergarten
principles. 1t is especially for the fatn-
ers of families or for any gentlemen
whose work prevents them from attending
anv but an evening session. This meet
inc will be held at the Philbrick Kinder
oarten on Wednesday night, April 10, at
20. o. o'clock. Miss Backus will speak on
..The PLAY Instinct of the Child and How
II can BE Used in Education" The pup
lie is invited