The Delta independent., 1917-02-09

assigned to me, there are four salient
with the mental and physical develop
ment of the child in the primary
grades, as follows:
l. Natural ability of the pupil.
2. Ability and desire of the in
structor to make the work interesting.
g. Home training. including diet,
sleep and exercise.
4. Cooperation.
upon my own observations. Like the
illustrious Patrick Henry, l have but
one lamp by which my feet are guild
ed. and that is the lamp of expert
ence.
Some will claim that one is not
competent to express views on a sub
ject with which he has had no per
sonal experience. while others will
advance the theory that these are the
best fitted because their opinions are
unprejudiced. AS to this matter /
fortunately Cor unfortunately and
have viewed the matter from several
different angles. True, the school
teaching covered the brief period of
six months, but it was long enough
to give me an understanding of some
of the difficulties which the teacher
frequently encounters.
1t is well known fact that a child
who is naturally bright will develop
more rapidly than one hampered in
this regard. but the environment and
other conditions which shall discuss
briefly. do enter largely into the
growth of any boy or girl.
Visit a modern school room with
its light, airy look, its potted plants,
its pictures, nature study chart, sani-
tary drinking fountains and frequent
lectures on hygiene. Compare this
with the school room of twenty years
ago where pupils of all grades assem-
bled in one room. where the narrow
windows admitted only shafts of
light, where the water dipper was
passed twice a day from mouth to
mouth Unfortunately, and where
the three RS fReadin' Ritin' and Rith-
metic) were absorbed by the youth
with the courage of a Stole.
Nowadays when Miss Primary
Teacher sees the little hands growing
restless she says: Lets put away
our books a while and play a game
Who wants to be the little red hen p"
Instantly twenty little hands shoot
into the air and twenty pairs of eyes
plead for the privilege. Then the
game is played and then they sing a
song or two. perhaps sitting on the
desks facing the rear of the room.
And then Position" and instantly
to do more work. Not a moment
lost, and all planned by that teacher
with such wonderful tact, such rare
diplomacy no general ever
er success.
AS to diet, sleep and exercise: The
child should be permitted to eat only
such food as he can digest. One who
is either overfed or underfed can not
possibly do the best work, for even
II he is able to go to school, illness
will dull his sensibilities and render
him unfit for work.
~,
ten hours sleep a day and ! would
urge fathers and mothers to see that
their children have the needed rest.
During the first school year the child
accomplishes as much as in any other
two years. and so when Nature makes
this demand on us as guardians, we
must not betray our trust.
Do not permit your children to at
tend picture shows or any place of
amusement during the first four days
of the week, particularly while in the
primary department. To do so is to
rob your child of his rest and most
Of all, OF his self-control. Put your
self in his place. Perhaps you have
a reception invitation. Every man
and woman will give some thonght to
the details, no matter how minute
How much more then, must we ex
pect this abstraction on the part Of
the small child with less years oi
experience. and. other things beinf
equal. less power Of self control.
never see a child who is habituall,
dragged about at night without 4;
feeling down deep in my heart tina