New Britain herald., 1914-04-24
CHILDREN SHOULD BE
 GIVEN ALLOWANCES
Thereby Training Them in Financial
 Responsibility.

Washington, April 24.-"Training children in financial responsibility was an interesting subject of dis cussion before the International Con- gress on the, Welfare of the Child here today. Professor E. A. Kirk ly known child psychologist, delivered long address in which he advocated that every child should be given a small allowance early as five years of age and should be free to spend it as he pleases.''
 The speaker took an emphatic stand against the practice of paying children for doing unpleasant things that have no economic value, such as taking medicine or having tooth pulled. Such practices he declared, handicapped the child in coming to the full realization of the relation of work and money in the world. "Almost equally objectionable" he said, lis the giving of money for acts of politeness or kindness. These should be paid for in equivalent acts of politeness and kindness. and ideals of courage should be fostered
 
 pain. Outside of the home money will not be received for enduring nain or doing kind acts, and to pay for such in the home is to give the child false teaching as well as low ideal of courage and kindness"
 Money Is Important.
 In present day life, Professor Kirk patrick said, money plays much more prominent part in the satisfac- tion of desires than ever before, and the problem of financial training of children had under these new con- dlitions become important in every homo. Although labor was not the sole source of value, it was the most s fundamental and primary source and a parent could not go far wrong in presenting this view to children.
 ITO see other people call for something and put down some money for it means little more to a child 7 at first than any ceremony, such as lowing or thanking, between older persons he continued. eff child never buys things himself he will effectually be kept in ignorance of the real value of money, so if you wish that condition it is only neces- sary to let him have none to spend"
 He pointed out that parents also went wrong in, making money seem to the child the most Important. thing in life, and others swung to the other extreme by giving a child money when ever he asked for it. The one practice was likely to make the child envious, the other to make him spendthrift. since he would be certain that he could get more money when his supply was gone. .s.
 Child Should Pay Damages.
 In giving small allowance to children, parents may advise but never require the children to spend it in any way, the speaker argued. The child must leann by his own ex- eriences the satisfaction that may be gotten from spending money in va rious ways. One of the most valu- able experiences child can have is to buy something that gives very lit tie or very brief satisfaction. If such an experience is preceded or followed by something that gives a great deal of satisfaction the lesson is likely to be of lasting value. 1t is mistake to help child out of difficulties of unwise expenditures.
 Within few years the child should become financially responsible for his own acts. If he breaks dishes or windows, or injures any < property, he should pay the damage out of his own money. If this plan is followed the parents should be very careful not to scold the child for the act. On the contrary he should receive sympathy and be encouraged to do the only proper thing, make QOOd the loss a well aS 1,o ran CbiI. dren as early as six years readily learn to understand financial obliga- tion, and, properly taught, develop the will to repair or pay for dam aged articles"