The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
AS PARENTS BEND
THE LITTLE TWIGS
So the Human Trees Grow to Crooked
ness or Straight

Habits gather by unseen desrees:
As brooks make rivers, rivers run 10
seas.
The little boys and girls are the piastic'
workable subjects, and the truth OF tne
old adage comes home more empnaucas
as the days go by and we see the naDIts,
good and bad. crop out In the actions
of children. the bending Of the twis
determines the uprightness OF the inchna
ton of the tree. And, to carry the hofu
cultural simile still further, constant
wedding of the bad ones and nurturins
OF the good ones must be conducted oy
the one in charge.
Conduct" says Matthew Arnold. Is
three-fourths Of life" Habit Is about
three-fourths of conduct. You VIII see
how important the formation OF right
habits Is in the training day by day
Kindness is one of the habits that Is
latent in every normal child. II must
he encouraged; and you may be sure
that the child that is kind to animals
and birds will be considerate In his treat
ment of persons. There Is always some
thing interesting in animals. Children
love ANYTHING with life, and II taught to
care for birds fish or animals, there Will
be n certain strength OF responsibility
that makes for good character
Help. Develop Them.
Perhaps the daily feeding Of the birds
is the easiest way to benefit botn chld
and birds. The scattering of crumbs on
the grass for the birds at certain time
escb dav will soon make the pigeons.
robins and bluebirds tame and waiting
for their daily bread. The child will have
as much enjoyment as the birds II pets
| he in the house, the regular care OF the
| bird. cat, dog, or fish can be given INTO
the hands OF the children instruction
about how much food. the kind and the
mixing can be given for the nrst re"
times. After that the responsibility
should be shifted to the little shoulders
II helps to develop them.
| Unselfishness Is another oend that
should be given to the twig Of character
The child with too many toys should not
he allowed to let them suffer from dis
use. A few should be kept for the fortu-
! nate owner. and then the chlld's nature
| should be appealed to by earnest, LOVING
| talks from the parents; the lack OF gooo
homes. the misfortune Of Illness. the pow
erty of other children should make your
own little one glad and eager TO give
away. The joy of the gift has wonder
full reactionary effect. Generosity direct
ed along the right channels will do nucn
for the future man or woman.
Self-reliance Is a habit that should he
developed In the earliest years. AS soor
as child has mastered his hands ne
should be made to use his powers to helE
himself There is no reason why a little
one should not button his own shoes OF
llace his low pumps. You will find thai
there is usually a mistake in putting tbs
right shoe on the right foot; but IL tht
fact be called to mind that the buttons
are on the outside of the foot, the little
one will soon overcome his mistake
Hanging UP the clothes after wearing
placing bedclothes In the window fo'
proper airing. putting away toys afte1
pIaytirne can be taught in the very earl'
DAYS. 1t will save mother much trouble
II will develop an independence that L
absolutely necessary for progress.