The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-04
TALKS TO PARENTS
TRAINING OF CHILDREN
BY VIM. J. sHEARER, A. NJ, PHI. D.

no parent worthy of the name would
| say a word in defense. They are new
er right under any condition. Among
those of more frequent use may be
mentioned the following: Blows upon
the head, boxing or pulling of ears,
violent shaking, calling of names, sar-
casm, scolding, nagging, threats, soli-
tary confinement.
Proper Punishment.
DiSpleaSure of parents is one valuable
punishment. Other things being equal,
the greater the love between the child
and parent the greater the effect of
the expressed displeasure. Like the
parents, the child cares little for the
criticism Of enemies, and much for
unkind words from those whom he
loves. Properly used, the heart of al
most every child will respond to it and
lnWardly resolve to do better.
One of the most effectual kinds of
punishment, with most children, is that
of depriVing them of some privilege.
If, in place of some expected pleasure,
the child is required to sit down and
think over the cause of the loss, he
will come to the conclusion that it
does not pay to lose a great pleasure
for small one
The keeping of some record of a
childs shortcomings may also be made
use of with good effect, with most chill
dren. This record may be merely a
number of marks made when the child
fails to do as he should. When it is
found that number will mean certain
punishment and that by especially
praiseworthy conduct some marks can
be removed, it is remarkable how great
an influence this device will have upon
conduct.
wben CornoraI puniebyoen+ Should Re-
Used.
By this is meant the inf1iction of
bodily pain, for the purpose of reform.
By some this is classed as a proper
form of punishment; by others, as i'm
proper. All must agree that it should
not be used until after incentives and
all other methods of punishment have
failed to give the desired results. Those
who have had children of their own to
train scarcely know what else to do
after all other methods have failed.
Some children may be trained prop
erly without the use of 1t, If the par
ents are wise enough. However, some
use of 1t will be necessary for most
children of the majority of parents. It's
improper use will cause many heart
burns; but its proper use may save the
parents from deeper anguish when 1t
is too late to save the precious child.
Characteristics of Corporal Punish
ment.
That which has been said concern
ing the. character of punishment in
general applies. also to corporal punish
ment, SO that each characteristic should
be carefully considered with reference
to this important matter.
Punishment should always be upon
the f1eshy parts of the body with a
switch, strap, piece of small rubber
hose, or similar instrument, which can
not inf1ict such injury as the parent
may regret for years to come
Parents should take great care lest
they infifct corporal punishment in such
a way as to make it appear that they
are vindictive or trying to get even"
The blows should not be more fire.
quent than once or twice each minute
1t this is done, and the strokes inter-
spersed by such expressions and admo-
nitions as will prove that the parent
desires only the good of the child, the
punishment will be very effective The
loving kindness may have failed; the
harsh application of the rod may not
give the desired results; but the COM
bination Of the two will surely never be
forgotten, and is almost certain to pro-
duce the desired result.