Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-26
ryDr.ARTHuR GBRETz

Ihe articles APPEARING ~ fhis cot
ann haze been pretayed BY licensed
graduate fhysieian hatsna mony years
of experience in dealing s,ris the
health and gyouth of the child, aud
are intended especially for those
mo:kerS who are so bHsy With daily
household yoatine fhot ihey. haze not
tie fime to read the many good books
Published or attend lectures on such
SUBJECTS. No attempt trslf be made 10
prescribe medical or surgical treat
men'. nor to make a~diosnoSs OF any
illness.
DISCIPLINE
Parents OF the 'oid school" summed
up the entire disciplinary system OF
their day in the expression children
should be seen but not heard" Present
day methods are entirely different and
modern parents do everything to en-
courage their children to develop and
express themselves as early in ltfs as
possible There is little question as to
which is the better method A child
is not like some plastic material which
can be nodded by the hands Into what
ever shape desired. but rather a COM
plete human organism with definite
likes and dislikes andsceftain marked
traits of character Il is true that bad
habits and manners in children can be
corrected. but it is the parents first
duty to try to appreciate the child, and
understand him. A child surrounded
with love. sympathy and understanding
is more apt to develop these same
desirable traits OF character than the
child who is abused and continually
punished.
1t is the hope and ambition of all
parents that their children grow to
manhood and womanhood. possessed
of some marked talent or ability. 1t
is their duty TO train the child along the
lines for which he seems to be NATL
rally talented. How then, is the natural
talent TO be discovered if the child is
not given freedom of expression to ex-
hibit his natural ability? OF course.
this does not mean that child is to be
given complete control over his own
actions, TO do as he pleases. but that
when going about his usual work or
play he should never be rebuked or
labor under any unnecessary restric-
ton, except when necessary to protect
him or his playmatcs from personal in
Jury. If. however. child in play or
work acts in manner which is neither
desirable nor proper, he should be COR
rected
A child who is sullen and silent may
perhaps be unduly sensitive, and should
be encouraged at every opportunity.
Ungratefulness and selhshness may be
the results of too much attention on
the part Of the parents Whenever
child exhibits any undesirable charac-
teristics try to discover what the I'M
DERIVING cause for this shortcoming is.
Do not hasten TO rebuke a child for
something for which he may not en-
tirely be to blame.
Throughout this article you have
been urged to give the child freedom
of self expression. This should not
be construed to mean. however. that
the early years of " child's life must
be devoid OF all discipline. Discipline
is guidance. not punishment 1t is in
telligent guidance that the child needs to
protect him from the formation OF bad
habits. Harsh punishment. inflicted in
moment of anger. will only serve to
fiji the child's heart with fear. and make
a coward OF him. Tenderness and ex-
PLANTATION will accomplish far more
than spankings and whippings.
Provide the child with plenty of
things to do, and it will seldom be
necessary to rebuke him. Most mis-
chief is done when the child is follow
ing natural instinct in trying to find
something TO do. Keep him occupied
and you will keep him out Of mischief.