South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-07

10 is no wonder that during in
fancy and early childhood life's les
sons are so difficult for the small
beginner when the laws which gov
ern them must seem TO him just or
unjust. consistent or inconsistent, &C
cording TO the knowledge or the ca
prise of the adult administering
snem.
one of the first lessons which the
little child should learn is the proper
care of his own possessions and re-
sptot FOR those of others, and "a
mother has the first opportunity 20
inculcate this important life lesson.
since one of the strongest instincts
r. CT Jhe child is 90 initiate. there
seems no more logical way TO teach
this lesson than by example II a
sn, -her teaches her child not 10
touch the articles on her desk or
dressing table without her permits
sion then has she the right 20 dis
pose OF his toys without his per-
mission
The writer recalls an instance
where a mother secretly put away
. doll which had been given to her
ltJe girl. and. for no reason ex-
Cept that the child already had 4
number of dolls and this particular
one was too beautifully dressed to
De- played with until the child was
elder.
Another common way OF disre-
d H
Them TO Eive up some new or much
prized possession For example a
litJe girl OF six. who was delighted
with the gift of a dolTs fan. was
obliged 10y her mother TO hand fl
10 her screaming baby i'm order to
Cuict him. I'm his excitement ne
soon crushed the tiny toy. his
screams increased and his little sis
Ter was brokeu-hcarted. Nor had the
Unius, and short sighted mother
sawed the scene" which she had
hoped 20 avert.
I'm each OF these cases the child
should have been consulted and her
permission given before the mother
disposed OF the plaything. In this
way The mother could have explained
thc reasons for her own action, and
the child, in her turn would have
had an opportunity OF expressing
herself Then. too. personal re-
sponsionIty for her possessions and
the recognition Of the right Of own
crship would have emphasized the
difference between mine" and
thine
There is no better way TO create
habits of orderiiness and a sense OF
responsibility than by giving the
child a place for keeping his play
things and then allowing aim fun
control OF these possessions.
show him how to use his books
how 80 take care OF his toys. how TO
=, protect his pets. and then see 10 il
that he has shelf or a small booH-
case for his books. a play corner for
l.s toys. and an appropriate home
1or his pets
After playing require him TO put
away whatever he has been using.
and let him understand the necessity
FOR regular attention 20 his pets
such training VIII % necessity react
upon his character possession
entails responsibility ownership al
so teaches generosity. for without
possessions how can a child learn 20
share2
u may not be out OF place IN ad-
vising parents 20 respect their chill
dren's possessions 20 add "a warning
on behalf of the children. Do not
surround them with numberless
- dy-made toys. Give them blocks.
boards nails. a few tools. hammers.
saws. planes. spools. scissors. thread.
cloth. dolls, paper, CTayOns, clay.
sand and books. They viii get more
bsD-saess from these possessions Of