The Washington herald., 1915-01-14
CODE OF RULES FOR
CHILDREN IS STANDARD
Manners Begin in the Cradle. and a
Baby Begins to Understand Long
Before 1t Begins to Talk. So to
Have 1t Well Behaved Training
Should Begin When 1t Is Still an
Infant.

| Infant.
In this modern time. when kinder
garten methods. MOntessori methods,
outdoor sleeping and living. and man
uaI and technical training all tend to
develop the child's individuality, and
to make his path interesting. the tried
and harassed parent. governess or
nursemaid often wishes that she could
settle all difficulties with the old-time
admonition, Children should be seen
and not heard"
To be sure. this admonition was
sometimes too strictly obeyed, as the
mother who whispered it to her restless
small son one morning at family pray
ers in some peaceful. forgotten day
realized when. prayers over. she look
ed from the window and beheld the
barn in flames and heard Bobby say.
That's what / wanted to tell you.
mother" Bobby probably said That
is" and his name was probably
Joshua. but that is a minor matter.
To some observers there seems to be
big risk, in the present methods of
education. that children will gain a
too high idea of their own small i'm
pOrtanCe. To be sure. the future of a
country lies in the hands of its chill
dren. Education of children doubtless
leads to an uplifted standard of
knowledge. And strong children make
SlTOHS HlGH anu "Oillcu. DuI COnCClleO
children are always and everywhere
something to be avoided. Conceit is
what some observers think the present
methods of education give our chill
dren.
In reality. OF course. carefully
brought up children are carefully
brought up no matter what the fashion
in education may be. And many little
snobs and priscles were developed un-
oil net
little bullies and tomboys are developed
under the present system. There is
still a table of the laws governing
children's behavior. which all parents
and all children would do we'll to
heed.
Where Manners Begin.
Children's manners begin in the
cradle. A baby begins to understand
long before it begins to talk. 1t
notices the fact that its mother is it's
adoring slave before ever it has d
tooth or a spear of hair to call its
own.
So, il you would have your child
well hammered. begin to teach II when
it is still a baby. Teach it TO stand
its baby troubles uncomplainingly. and
so lay the foundation of the qualities
that will make people call 1t a thor
Oughbred in later life. Teach 1t to be
sunshiny, ard so start the biggest as
set of good manners, a gracious and
smiling presence.
AS soon as the baby leaves the
small baby state. the inculcation of its
manners must go on with even greater
care than before.
The minute it begins to eat with
the assistance of its own small hands,
the first lesson in table manners must
begin. There is little excuse for the
disgusting table manners of some
children. They are due, really, to the
fact that the mother or other care
taker finds it less trouble to let the
child search aimlcssly for its small
mouth than to insist that it locate II
daintily, surely and without expert
ment.
very small child can be taught
to eat nicely. Teach it that spotted
bibs are beneath contempt. Patiently
show it how to hold its spoon and cup,
and help it to eat slowly. The lesson
is a hard one for the teacher as well
as for the child. But perseverance Is
has learned to eat daintily, the
slovenly ways of unframed children
when they are eating will be as dis
tasteful to it as you would find them
in grown person.
Imitation.
Remember that children ape the man.
mers of their elders For this reason the
greatest care should be used in the choOs-
ing OF nursemaids, governesses, or any
one else who comes in constant contact
with the child. Many well-known men
have talked, when excited. to their dy-
ing day in the brogue or burr of their
childhood nurses.
And who can doubt that much Of the
oF oh 30
spirit of Robert Louis Stevenson were
inspired in him by the dear old nurse
to whom he dedicated his "Child's
Garden of verse;
The initiative method is the easiest
whereby a child may acquire its man
ners. The small boy who adores his
gallant father seldom forgets to take
of women. The small girl who looks
up to her mother with affection is the
pattern of loving courtesy to her father.
Children often affect the graces of then
elders in a most laughable way. But
don't laugh at them. They will out
grow this priggishness. 1t is only a phase
of their initiative acquisition of manners.
1t is the vogue of the day for small
girls. up to the age of ten or twelve,
to courtesy when they meet their elders.
After that they. like small boys, stand
and shake hands. 1t is also proper for
children TO be quiet and unobtrusive |
when they are in the company of grown |
ups.
Some Of the set rules of children's man.
ners, like these, they cannot learn by |
imitation. But if they are courteous. |
thoughtful, and happy they will take |
an interest in acquiring these little su-
perfcial manners that will make their |
acquisition easy
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