The Washington herald., 1915-01-07

Copyright, 1851
Mother, If I'm not naughty; If I an
really a very good boy, will God let
me have just one little devil to play
with when 1 go to heaven?"
This question was put to his mother
by little fellow of five. To stu
dent of child life it is more pathetic
than funny, signifying, as it does, that
the idea of real happiness, joy, and
freedom from restraint was associated
in the mind of this child with evil.
1t is possible to so train children that
vice will seem attractive and virtue
undesirable. In mUltitudes of homes
they are brought up on goody- goody
philosophy, to the entire exclusion of
all the natural instincts of childhood.
Not only does this sort of training not
appeal to the children, but it prejudiceS
them against the very things which the
philosophy is supposed to inculcate.
You cannot bring children up on the
husks of righteousness and the very es-
sence of the religion of childhood, of
all religion, in joy. gladness, cheerful
ness. bubbling, optimistic life. The
ology does not appeal TO children, but
life does: nature does: all the beautiful
things the Creator has given us for
use and enjoyment fiji the heart of a
child with gladness.
Il am so full Of happiness" said one
in a spontaneous Outburst Of joy, that
! could not be any happier unless I
could grow
As rule the happiest children make
not only the happiest, but also the most
useful men and women. We cannot give
children too much real fun, too much
heart sunshine, too much love. They
thrive on such things. They are their
normal food. and the home is the place
above all others where they should get
an abundance of them.
Yet in many families the children are
hungry for affection, as well as for
amusement; but they get no encourage
ment; their play-loving instincts are
constantly suppressed. They get no
pleasure at home, no love from their
parents, and they naturally seek these
things elsewhere. 1 have known boys
to go to the bad because their police
man parents put them under too strict
surveillance. While unwilling to let
them play and have a good time at
home, they were so afraid they would
get with bad boys and hear something
that would Contaminate them that they
kept them shut up in the house, or in
their own yards, until the youngsters
rebelled and took advantage of every
opportunity to get away and find Just
one little devil to play with" And be-
cause they were denied the chance for
self-expression that every normal child
demands and requires, they found not
one, indeed. but many little devils to
play with!
There is a certain mysterious, subtle
fascination in wrongdoing which cannot
be explained, but it is something that
especially appeals TO children and young
people who have been suppressed, over
guarded, over-watched by parents or
guardians. Their curiosity is strength |
ened by repression, and they are con-
stantly wanting 10 see what the forbidden |
things are like.
If children are allowed to give vent to |
all that is joyous and happy and spon- |
taneOus in their natures; If they are not |
continually repressed by "donts'' in re-
gard to legitimate things, the things they |
ought to have, they will be much less
likely to be attracted TO those that are |
forbidden, and they will be infinitely |
more likely to blossom out into helpful |
men and women, instead Of becoming /
suppressed and sad-faced, If not de-
praved beings. Children who are encour-
aged in self-expression through their play
instinct will not only make much more
normal human beings, but will also make
better business men, better professional /
men, better citizens, better men and |
women generally. They will succeed bet
ter and have a nobler influence in the
world. Joy and fun are great develop
ers, calling out our richest resources
educating our fuller powers.