The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-10-27
Your Child's Room
~ n. AppiNcToN BRUCE,
Author Of THE Riddle Of Personality.
Psychology and Parenthood. etc.

Every parent ought to know that in the up
bringing of a child few things are OF more i'm
portance than the arranging OF the chiids pny-
steal surroundings WITH REGARD TO THEIR
INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
HIS MIND Especially important 10 the proper
furnishing and decorating Of the room in which
he has to spend most OF his time
The importance of this arises from two facts.
the extreme suggestibility Of childhood. and the
profound and lasting Influence exercised by the
Impressions OF childhood.
So suggestible are children that every object
In their environment contributes TO the shaping
of their character and their interests Uncon-
sciously they accept and act on the ideas sug-
gested to them by whatever they hear or see.
When therefore. they are daily subjected to
enyironmental influences Of specific kind IL
usually happens that their mind acquires DEM
tie set In accordance with these influences.
This result has been noted by numerous inves-
tigators. Thus one astute observer, New York
physician with psychological training reports !:
"The refined tastes and joyous disposition of
the children in family with whom often came
into contact was a matter Of some surprise to
me- as could not account for the common trait
among them by the position or special charac'
teristics of the parents. They were In the num-
blest position socially. and all but poor.
my first visit to their modest home furnished
me with the natural solution, and gave me much
food for reflection.
1.-The children-there were six-occupied two
rooms into which the sunlight pouring as
entered. The color and design of the cheap wall
paper were cheerful and unobtrusive. Bits OF
carpet, the tablecover. and the coverlets on the
beds were all In harmony. and OF quiet design
| In nearly the elementary colors.
i Everything In these poor rooms OF poor peo-
pie had been chosen with the truest Judgment
for aesthetic effect"
There Is here valuable hint for all parents.
1t is not a question OF spending money 10 give
a child luxurious surroundings IL is wholly a
question Of showing discrimination in the choice
OF the furnishings and ornaments to be put in
the childs room.
Simplicity should be the keynote Glaring
, colors and inharmonious contrasts should be
avoided In selecting pictures for the walls OF
, the room. ONLY THOSE SHOULD BE CHOSEN
THAT WILL APPEAL PLEAsURABLY TIC
THE CHILDS MIND AND AROUSE HIS
: lCURIOSITY.
1t Is possible, indeed, by a wise arrangement
Of his room to create LOVE OF LEARNING
that will be of lifelong value to the child an,
will count for much In his mental development
| personally am acquainted with several pal
. emit who have thus utilized the suggestive fore
Of the environment to develop in their chdre
a real fondness for study. One of these parent
Is Doctor Boris Sidis father OF that remarkabl
, boy William James Sidis. who entered Harvar
, University before he was twelve.
; While he still was mere infant, his fathe
fitted up for this boy a special room On tn
7 walls hung some attractive pictures. and in
. were placed toys of a scientific character.
But the outstanding feature OF the room, q
situated that II was the first thing the chill
saw every morning when he awoke, was a sma
bookcase.
, This contained the ordinary story-books Q
childhood. And II also contained BOOKS Of
lSER1OUS INTEREST-histories, biographies
scientific primers. etc.
The child was not asked TO read these HI
father believed that curiosity would impe hir
TO read them, and to ask for explanations O
their contents. Events have proved that ID
Sldis was right.
IL Any parent can likewise employ the sugges
| tive force Of the environment--As AN AL
.IyVNCT TO TRAINING AND EXAMPLE,
81 N1uI1to aod enlarge ~ ent1lo uontal poV