Milford chronicle., 1923-02-23
TEACHING CHILDREN TO AGREE
By Marion Brownield

Teaching children to agree means
] so much to them all through life that
!. it should really be one of the first
t principles in home-making. If children
are taught to be fair and courteous
> with one another, they have valuable
equipment for popularity and success
| in the world at large.
/ Harmony in the home, too, means a
: happy ideal that will be cherished
through many trials, struggles and
hardships, an ideal that is an anchor
! as sustaining as religion.
In many homes, unfortunately, the
one trial of family life, especially for
the mother constantly in contact with
it. is voiced in the wall, eff the chill
dren only wouldn't quarrel sol" Then
sometimes it is added, ''But suppose
it is natural, and they'll get over it
some day!"
Whether it is natural for children to
quarrel daily, really depends on the
home training. If it is discOunten-
anced at the very start good begin
ming is made. Two little toddlers will
often have their first quarrel over
some plaything that one Of them does
not want to give up to the other. One
will hold on tightly, while the other
pleads, scolds or even uses little fists!
Whoever loses then shrieks and yells
But even such tots can be taught fair
play. "You have had it for awhile, now !
let brother, or sister, have turn!"
said firmly whenever there is such a
dispute, will soon be respected as a
rule, if constantly adhered to.
Sharing is another appeal that can
not be underestimated for unselfish
happiness all through life. Children,
once they see the advantages Of it,
will make many amicable little ar
rangements themselves over personal
BELONGINGS that avoid nerve-frazzling
and domestic storms. Shar-
ing indeed, is the most constructive
remedy for children's quarrels. eff you
let Johnny have half your candy he
will let you take turns riding his
coaster" can be a very peaceable set
Element to a situation that might an
noy not only mother, but even the
neighbOrs.
A certain helpful encouraging at
in a home also avoids quar-
rels. If every child is encouraged to
rejoice in each members success and
10 sympathize with defeats, the slings
and slurs from petty jealousies that
Ire almost as unendurable as violent
luarrels, are avoided.
Equally lubricating for frictionless
nome is sympathy, so inexpensive
ind yet so soothing to everyone. The
writer well remembers her first day
1t school when something she did or
jaid made the whole school laugh.
Relating it almost in tears to the fam
ly, at the noon meal, a younger sister
spoke up comfortingly,
IF they laugh at Co., laugh at 'um'!"
Surely practical sympathy for juvenile
Children indeed need to be taught
lot to laugh at each others misfor-
unes, but instead to help. The Golden
lule, here, is the preventive for many
lard feelings and a "quarrelsome"
When children can share their food,
heir treats and amusements and
lothes if necessary, they have very
assimilated the Golden
lule. If parents and relatives would
lways take particular pains to be inn
artial, also, this would prevent quar-
els, for all children seem ready to
ccept Gin turn" With children justice
J the essential of peaceful work and
lay.
More than anything else, men
and women need the capacity to
see with clear eye and to contem.
plate with open, unpreJudiced mind
the issues Of these times. Only
through a properly pnOtivated and
generously inspired process of edu-
cation can this be accomplished.
President Harding.
This process of education should
begin early in life. If there is NJ
kindergarten in your community
write the National kindergarten
Association, 8 West 40th Street
New York, and ask what you car
do about it.