Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-20
CHARACTER SHAPING
By II. Addington Bruce
tn ODAY 1 would offer some gle

H ODAY 1 would offer some gIeanings
from a new book of exceptional help
fulness to parents-Lady Cynthia AS
quith's THE Child at Home"
Lady Asquith is. a daughter Of Lord
Wemyss and daughter-in-law of former Pre-
mier Asquith Her book makes very plain
that she is herself Of uncommon ability; and,
what is even more important, that she has
keen appreciation of the prerequisites to a
really successful life.
She appreciates, too as many parents IN
fortunately do not, that the determining of
whether a life shall be successful or no is
largely a matter of the first years. Unless
there is then a well-considered shaping of
character and the intoxicating of a wholesome
philosophy the whole life prospect may be
rretrievaby spoiled.
Not that the course to be taken should be
one of insistent discipline and moralizing.
Such a course would both rob children OF the
joys of childhood and create in them a spirit
of revolt defeating the object of the we'll
ntentoned but misguided parents. Example
and atmosphere are the formative influences
chiefly to be employed pr6cept being used
as needed. but almost always secondary to
practice.
"Too many mechanical instructions and
prohibitions retard the growth of initiative
out, land when practicable it is better to
suggest course, rather than to be forever
suppressing a childs own plans. One
who is constantly nagging will either irritate
chldrens nerves or thicken their SKINS
And:
"The power of suggestion over children,
physically, mentally and morally, can scarce
ly be exaggerated. From the youngest age
upwards, a child who has slightly hurt him
self can be made to laugh or crA according
of such qualities as courage, resolution, the
sense of duty and Of responsibility self
reliance, and self-eXertion:
ITO give children the impression that the
grown-up people have no 'object in existence
save their welfare and entertainment is
dwarfng life to them by lowering their own
horizon. By all means dramatic their pres
ent, but not at the expense of their future. ..
at is, for instance, so much less trouble
to dress and feed a child than to teach him
to do things for himself, but nurses quick
ness in encouraging independence is one Of
the chief tests of her competency.
"Chidren should also, however tedious the
process, be taught to put their own toys
away, to care for them, and to try and mend
them-however worthless-when broken.
You can not level hills. but you can teach the
enjoyment of effort
Then there is, too, the unconscious teach
ing which proceeds all the while from home
happenings Many are the parents who need
to take to heart this warning:
For listening purposes, you should always
overrate a child's intelligence. However ap-
parenty engrossed with his books, he may
carry up the strangest gobbets of gossip. Be
careful what you laugh at and whom you
discuss"
But my space for quotation and comment
is done. 1 can only add hearty recommen-
dation that this delightfully."- informal but
sanely informing "The Child at Home" be
given by parents of young children the at
tantive reading it deserves