Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-04-04
Article II-Kindergarten Activities
Afford Profitable Amusement to
Little Folks at Home
By MRS. ELvIRA HYATT.
ARTICLE 3.

Modern ideas in regard to child
training lay stress upon adhering
from the beginning to certain set
times for feeding, sleeping, bathing
and airing, off regular habits lay
the foundation Of moral teaching.
They are also boon to the mother,
resting her nerves and giving her
time to herself, which in turn again
acts to the benefit of the child
After physical means have been
child needs is to be let alone. Many
provided for, all the average normal
babies are constantly over-stimulated
by mothers who adore them.It takes
wise and unselfish mother to keep
her baby quiet Systematically, and
relegate him to warm, safe happy
background"
Physicians agree that infants under
the age of six months should never
be played with, or needlessly hand
led or caressed, and though it may
be the deares delight to rock and
code the new infant, and to watch
his sweet ways, the wise mother
will place him comfortably in crib Of
carriage, and let him go to sleep by
himself, preferably in the open air.
Babies treated in this sane, unset
fish fashion seldom cry except for
some good reason Self-control and
self-reliance seem big words but
these virtues have their foundation
in earliest childhood. The child's
wonderful mysterious little person
atty must have time to develop it
self, and growth and strength come
"in the silence"
One of the first problems which
ing activity of her small children.
confronts the mother in the unceas-
From the moment they can creep,
they are "doing something" every
minute Of the day We simply can
not bid these restless creatures keep
still, for activity is the law of growth.
Instead, we must learn to keep them
busily and happily employed, and to
substitute right activities for wrong
ones. Constant repression makes
restless and unhappy child. We
must learn to recognize abundant
energy as good, and to turn it into
right channels.
Bad and mischievoNs children are
simply the results of negative met
hods. 1t is not enough to say, run
away and play" but definite occu-
patton should be suggested. The
positive upbuilding method is to say,
"Do this" instead of Don't do that"
and if one form OF. employment must
be taken away, something else should
be suggested
A recent Italian educator has de-
clared that unnecessary restrictionin
a child's life is crime. There must
be rules, of course, and children must
learn to obey, but much friction can
be eliminated by avoiding unneces-
sary commands. There should be few
rules, but these should be firmly
adhered to. 1t is infinitely better not
to give command thar to let child
evade it. The habit of teasing for
thing will never develop, if this
course is faithfully followed. Child
rem brought up without rules or
system are restless and unhappy,
but, on the other hand, blind obed-
fence should not be insisted upon too
long. The child can begin very
early to reason for himself in small
things. Later the moral fiber must
be developed which will enable him
to choose to do the right thing be-
cause it is right, and to recognize and
obey the still small voice within
himself. A desire for right conduct
must be awakened. The will does
not begin to grow until definite
choice can be made. Strong wills
are good, and parent has no more
right to break child's will than to
your request is just, and whenever
break his arm or leg. Be sure that
possible avoid clash of wills.
Forced obedience gained through
fear, weakens the child's will
power and fosters cowardice and de-