The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-09-26

she yields to the child's exactions, for the
sake of peace, or from indifference or
sheer iaziness, she need not be surprised
to find the child developing obstinacy
and temper. A safe rule is never to al
low a child to do once without protest
what is undesirable for him to continue
to do always.
Establish Good Habits
Habits of right action may be estab-
iished before he is conscious that these
are OF permanent value. If he is taught
that he is not to touch a valued orna-
ment or book, he learns to obey when his
mothers quiet, gentle, firm voice says
mo" He looks in her eyes and trusts
her II he is allowed to be destructive,
he assumes that he has that privilege,
In his childhood he must learn habits
of modesty, cleanliness, generous habits
in sharing his toys with others, or
derby habits in putting away his toys, in
stead of leaving them for his mother TO
gather up; considerste habits in not
being noisy when his mother has head
ache.
If he is not taught good habits be-
fore he is seven or eight years old, the
loss is almost irretrievable. A child
forms or breaks habits very readily. 1t
is well to find under what conditions he
will break bad habit, either by having
it suppressed directly, or by building up
good habit in its place.
InportaHos Of Surroundings
A child is very susceptible to the in
fuence of his surroundings, very sensi-
tive to the looks, voices, manners of his
parents. He sees whether there is love
and respect in their relationship, con-
sistency of conduct or the reverse. He
detects quickly the difference between
justice and injustice in their treatment
Of him.
Disseusion between parents is dan
gerous to the child's proper develop
ment of character. II parents have
moods, sometimes scolding him, then
!avishing caresses, they cannot expect to
Lead him toward a happy, reasonable,
obedient boyhood. Inconsistency creates
distrust and lack of respect. He imi-
tates those he is with and takes his
temper from his environment. An at
nlOsphere of peace in the home promotes
a cheerful disposition.
letter to Lead than to Force
Obedience should be required only
With a view to the welfare of the child
| Parents should demand only what is
| -easonable, but demand It invariably.
| Discipline aims at personal assistance.
| he intention must be to direct, not to
MANAGE" to lead, not to force. A
hid should grow into boyhood feeling
| hat when told 60 do anything by his
sarentS II is not stern command given
| " stronger persons, but kindly rule
| Or his own good. A boy who obeys
| imply because he fears punishment, has
! , slaYish habit of mind and is not gain
1g moral strength
Parents are wise who do not resort to
| physical force in punishment The mind,
not the body, is TO be influenced. Some
restraint, or task, or the deprivation of a
pleasure may be a punishment. Le-
lienCy may be an injustice when it means
! that boys character may DC weakened
| he is excused for wrong-doing.
A wrong act should be corrected at the
proper moment, not punished later. Wis
! dom, patience. and calm strength from
| within the soul are needed by parents
| in correcting child.
/ The Child is an individual
Any theory of training will fail which
does not recognize the individuality and
personality of each child. The guidance
tor one may not be best for another. A
| boys temperament, tastes, abilities and
peculiarities are not only inherited from
his parents, out from lines OF MS ances-
tors in two families.
Constant discoveries of characteristics
may be made, and the knowledge util-
lied in helping him. Although it is ad
visable always to try to find the hidden
good to develop, It is necessary to watch
carefully for tendencies which may re-
veal faults to correct, or weaknesses to
Re overcome before they result in fixed
habits
1t is not difficult to guide the impuisive.
enthusiastic, imaginative boy, but the dull
and phlegmatic boy needs suggestion, the
morose or obstinate one needs sympathy.
A boy with quick temper needs loving
guidance He must be helped 10 look
within his heart, to learn to control the
angry thoughts or feelings that lead to
quarrel
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