Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-27
TRAINING OF YOUTHFUL
MIND AND MORALS OF
VITAL IMPORTANCE
Discussed by U. S. Commission
er of Education at Congress
of Mothers and Parent
Teacher Association
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27.-The 10th an
nuaI meeting Of the Pennsylvania Con-
gress of Mothers and Parent-Teachers'
Associations began in the Fort Pitt lio-
tel. here, this morning, presided over by
Mrs. George x. Johnson, of Philadel-
phla, president of the State Congress.
Mayor Armstrong was on the program
to welcome the delegates, and he sent
H. NJ. Irons, Assistant City Solicitor, in
his place. The latter spoke of the con-
nection between parent and teacher and
pictured the average American home that
was benefited by the influences brought
there from the schoolroom, and then
dwelt on many homes of the lowly where
school influences were neglected and
there were no moral examples TO follow.
He said the delegates were engaged in
a great work and would find Pittsburgh
ready to receive them and that which
they stood for in a reciprocative manner.
Mrs. Johnson replied to Mr. Irons as
suring him and the city that they would
endeaVor to solve many problems that
would be helpful to the teachers and par
ents of western Pennsylvania. She then
introduced as the only speaker Of the
morning DR.. +. p. ClaXton, United States
Commissioner of Education at Washing
ton, ID. c.. who spoke on THE Work of
the Home Education Division"
SCHOOL AND HOME.
Mr.. Caxton said the school was the
most important supplementary agency Of
the home, and that after the mother had
had charge Of the interests Of the child
until II was years old the influence of
the teachers began. Said he:
"a child Is In school, ordinarily speak
ing, 500 hours In "A normal lifetime. From
birth to the age Of q years is 1Si, 900 hours,
so that 10000 hours are not used in the
schoolroom. II IS outside the schoolroom
that the responsibility Of the parent is In
evidence while the teacher is handicapped
in the shorter period. Four million chill
dren IN the United states between the
ages Of four and six and only 100000 of
them In kindergarten schools. Think of
the building up OF morality In the mind
and heart OF the children Of this country
in that period OF life. and then stop 10
consider the opportunities the teacher has
10 mold the lives OF the children
MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.
"rhe two most important periods of
ehild's life arc from birth 10 six and from
Y to p. From six 10 y is not so im-
portant, as the child Is being drilled
mainly I'm education In those years, but
In the other two periods home influence
Is at work in the first. ana the character
Of the teacher Is being impressed ON the
pupil In the second We must keep al
our children TO continue studying no mat
ter at what age they leave school, and
every effort must be made 20 get a
thorough understanding between the chill
dren and parent as 90 the future welfare
OF the child ="
This afternoon, after q short reception
20 the delegates ana officers OF the con-
atess. Doctor Claxton again addressed
the congress- on higher moral deals,
bringing in many points OF character inn
pressions through the life Of the teacher
that went deeper than mere teaching In
the common rudlments Of education
example that paved the way Tor the
drinking in OF me points sought 70 be
taught by the teacher ana which the
scholar could not forget