Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-11
PRIMARY GRADES.
How to Begin With the Little Fellows
and Keep Them Progressing.

How to Begin WIKI tne Littio FonoWS,
and Keep Them Progressing.
Paper Of Miss Ida Ormand, before the
York County Sunday School conven-
ton.
In the well organized Sunday school
the pupils in the primary department
should be those who were first cradle
roll members, then beginners, until
about the age of 6, when they were
promoted to the primary department.
They remain in the primary until
about 9 years of age, or until they can
easily read In the Bible.
Those who have watched the un-
folding of the little human buds, have
marveled at the rapidly developing in
tellect, and the broadening life of this
period, will surely agree that this de-
partment Is primary not only In order
but in importance.
This being the most impressionable
age of a child, his character forming
period, the work done In this depart
ment will be richer in results than any
other in the Sunday school.
While the child at this period Is
able to take in a great deal more than
is possible for the beginner, yet his
power of sustained interest Is limited,
SO the plan of work for this depart
ment must be wholly different from
that in the junior department. In
other words the work of this depart
ment must be adapted to the needs OF
the pupil in the department.
To best suit the needs of the 8, Z
and S-year-old children whose devel-
opment each year Is marked the
work should be divided into three
grades; the 6-year-old pupils in one
grade, the 7-year- old pupils in one and
the S-year-oid pupils in one. The
number Of children in each grade Will
depend upon the number of children
in that grade; the best class arrange
ment being six pupils to one teacher.
This department should have su-
perintendent, who Is responsible Tor
the work as a whole, and should
teach the International or regular les
son of the day: secretary VINO
should be responsible for the reports
of the department to the general su-
perintendent, and a pianist, If the de-
partment has a separate room ana an
instrument.
The primary classes should, If pos
sible, have a separate room, which
should be we'll ventilated, and as
pleasant and attractive as possible.
Children love pictures, and get much
instruction from them, so number
of good pictures will play their part
in the uplifting Of the child. Com
Portable chairs should be provided,
and a table around which all may
gather for a part of the lesson. There
must be a blackboard, which can be
made a great medium for conveying
ideas. Drawings, whether good or
bad, will bring out many a point In
the lesson as nothing else can do.
A cabinet for holding books, music,
crayon, pictures, ETC., Is needed. The
sand board can be brought into use
here as we'll as in the every day
school, There should be place pro-
vided for hats and coats, as the little
folks can do much better work with
them removed.
II all the classes must meet and do
their work in one room, then use the
best substitute for the separate room,
screened apartment, which will be
much better than the old plan where
all classes can see each other. Chill
dren are not distracted by what they
hear as by what they see.
Under these conditions the primary
pupils would, of course, have to take
part in the general exercises, which
should be planned with consideration
for the little folks, allowing them oc-
casion to have some special part In
the exercises, such as singing certain
hymn, thus making them feel that
they have a real, vital part In the Sun
day school work.
The department superintendent
should have a carefully prepared pro-
gramme for the time allowed for the
lesson teaching, so there will be no
unnecessary delays to tire the young
pupils. The songs, prayers, offering
and supplemental lessons should lead
up to the regular lesson, which OF
course comes last.
The offerings should be emphasized
| by a song and prayer, and the pupils
taught why, and where they give; to
give systematically and proportionate-
ly.
The regular lesson, while it aims to
fix one text in the minds, and hearts
Of the young pupils, does not meet
the needs of the child, with his ever
inquiring and receptive mind. At this
age there are certain truths with
which he should be made acquainted;
truths concerning Gods love and care,
| love to God, love expressed by giving,
| love to others, tests of love, import
ance of missions. These with lessons
| on Bible geography, Bible history, Bi-
BILE literature and Bible doctrines are
divided up into courses Of one year
each. Each years work is divided in
| to quarters, as the regular lessons are
This supplemental work Is the grade
work of the year and upon it the pu-
pills are examined and promoted.
Surely the Sunday schools are be-
coming awakened to their responsible
ity, their mission: the training Of boys
and girls for loving service in the
Masters vineyard.