Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-13
SHOULD STUDY CHILD PERSONALITY
AS WELL AS PHYSICAL development

splendid physique ana good intelli-
gence.
1--WE do not believe that everyone
who is misfit or queer should re-
side in an institution for those men,
tally diseased, but because of impro-
per guidance in their early years this
is where many of them spend their
days because the world outside does
not understand their peculiar be-
havior.
Here the speaker quoted statistics
to show the necessity of beginning
the formative years to direct the va
rious tendencies with which children
are endowed by nature or have early
acquired from their environment. She
explained that a study of the in
mates of institutions of various kinds
had shown that many might have
been saved IL they had had the pro-
per training in childhood
She continued, children are plas-
tic, suggestible and initiative, there
fore childhood is the best time to es-
tablish desirable habits that will lat
er influence adult life. Habits are
dependent to large extent upon en-
yironment and thus the early sur
rounoings of child have much to do
with the future mental health of
your child and as teachers an impor-
tant function of yours in the class
room Is to guide the personality de-
velopment of your charges. Parents
and teachers need to develop a SYM
pathetic and intelligent understand
ing OF the child's emotional life.
Learn the origin of his fears, likes,
dislikes, anger and other undesirable
habitual behavior reactions.
I'm studying the problem Of the
child We must remember that he has
hopes. ambitions ana emotional drives
very similar to the adult - The
influence of the mother upon the child
IS especially apparent, and while l do
not believe in spare the rod and spoil
the child I do not believe in arru-
ment. either. I do not believe in dis
obedience, but 1 do believe there are
other ways of punishment in certain
instancesthan the rod. There are GER
tain situations where obedience with
out giving reason are essential.
Avoid the suggestion Of disagreeable
situations by the suggestion instead
of the happy outcome If right acts are
continued"
She declared the need OF calmness.
judgment and interest in the affairs of
the child and in not pampering them
too much.
DR.. Kraus also gave list of the
many conditions in children which
would suggest the use Of habit clinic.
Among these conditions are physical
and mental ones and conditions of So
cal conducts, such as running away,
lying. stealing. destructiveness ana
others.
She illustrated her splendid talk
with numerous examples taken from
her own experience and that OF others.
1t was interesting to note that there
were present at this meeting DR..
Kraus' parents, Gen. and Mrs. George
Mel. Presson Of Pennington, ana her
sister, Mrs. Robert Partridge of this
city, with whom she has been visiting
for a few days.
The large number Of members of the
four associations were also entertain
ed by two fine cello solos by Richard
Higgins, and two vocal numbers by
Miss Cecilia Beane. who played her
own accomplishments on the ukelele.
At the conclusion Of the program
Superintendent of Schools Fred w.
Burrill, who presided. invited the
gathering to the school lunch room
where a delicious lunch was served
He particularly impressed upon those
present that he wanted everyone to
stay and get acquainted with all OF the
others in order that they might better
work for the good Of the children.
The committee in charge of the
lunch consisted Of the presidents of
the four parent-teacher associations of
this city--Dr. o. H. Brann Of the Will
liams school district, Mrs. r. J. Libby
Of the Lincoln school district, Mrs.
John Nelson Of the Smith school dis
trict and Mrs. Edward Ripley OF the
Harrington school district. They were
assisted by Mrs. Ward Holmes, who
is in charge of the lunch room, and
by several high school girls who as
sisted with the serving.