The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-30
s. S. BEGINNERS
DEPARTMENT
HOW TO KEEP THE LITTLE
ONES IN ORDER"-"CONSECRA-
TION AND COMMON SENSE
GOOD EQUIPMENT FOR TEACH
ER"-VALUE OF GRADED SYS-
TEN OF INSTRUCTION..


Directly following the Cradle Roll
which was discussed last week we
have the Beginners Department.
1t has always been difficult to keep
the little ones under six years in or
der and give them proper instruc-
tion, while trying at the same time
to hold the attention and instruct
the children whose ages have very
often ranged from six to twelve
years.
A few years ago teachers began to
solve this problem by placing the
children under six in a separate
room, under a special teacher, with
services adapted to their age and re-
quirements. This has been named
the Beginners Glass.
We, in Wayne county, have been
slow in organizing departments, and
particularly slow in thinking of our
little ones.
There are three reasons why we
should have a Beginners Depart
ment. First-It is apparent that the
older children will fail to get the
fullest understanding of the lesson
truth if the younger ones are in the
same class. The younger children
distract and annoy them and the
same lesson is not applicable to
both.
Secondly - Children under six
should be treated differently and
therefore separated from those old
er. Young children often receive
a wrong idea of the truth because it
has been presented in such a way
as to appeal to older children. The
first impressions received are last
ing; then give the child correct
ideas but adapt them to his stage of
development and capacity to learn.
Thirdly-It will be readily seen
that the teacher who has children
of various ages is very greatly hand
icapped in her endeavor to present
the truth. Therefore in order to re-
ceive this proper teaching, it is need
full that these children should be in
a class by themselves.
Having seen the need there are
three steps necessary to start the
department. First-Select from the
class roll the names of all children
in the school who are under six
years of age and group these to-
gether to form the roll of the Be-
ginners Department or class. To
these names add those of the Cradle
Roll members who are now old
enough for regular attendance at
the sessions.
Secondly-It is possible in almost
all cases to at least form these chill
dren into separate class taught in
more simple way than the older
class. 1t is best to separate this
class from the others in a room as
much as possible. Oftentimes a
/ screen or curtain can be used to do
this. In many of our schools screens
| covered on the inside with black
board cloth could be used to great
advantage. Have a separate room
| if you can.
! When the class is started the
next question is, who is the proper
| teacher? The teacher of the Be-
ginners needs to have a love for
| Christ and love for His little ones
He needs moreover to keep his own
heart and mind plastic and open for
! truth. Do not wait for the ideal
teacher; but use the best you have;
conservation and common sense are
a good equipment.
A special two years series of les
sons has been prepared for the Be
! ginners by the International Lesson
committee. These lessons are sim
pie and contain one central thought
for several Sabbaths. Write to your
denominational publishing house fol-
samples of these lessons and lesson
helps and decide to have in your
school Beginners Department.