Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-10-03
YOUR CHILD
In SCHOOL
Br DR.. Frank n. RnHOu.
of Schools Washington
No. 2-ParentS as Educators.


Many persons believe that an Ideal
educational situation would exist If
parents of the present day could d-
rectly educate their children. as did
parents in primitive times. 1t is I'M
necessary to argue that such condi-
ton has been rendered impossible and
impractica BILE as society now is con
stituted.
When living was less complicated
thar it is today. and when the family
was able to produce its livelihood
mostly within the home circle. paren-
tai supervision over the training of
the younger generation not only was
possible hut was the only way to pro-
vide for their instruction. Because Of
the social. economic and educational
changes that have come about. the
educa ting function Of the parent must
he delegated to others. On the whole,
the delegation is beneficial 10 the
child. inasmuch as 1t places him in
hands which are fully capable of do
ing what many parents themselves
have neither the time nor he training
to do.
II does not follow. however. that
parents entirely are ahSoIved from the
obligation Of showing a very positive
interest in the mental growth Of their
children. Fathers and mothers may
gladly confide their Youngsters tn
competent teachers. but they still owe
1t to their boys and girls to follow
their progress in school and by en-
coura cement and cooperation in vari-
Gus ways Aid directly in the educat tive
process. We who are responsible 10
parents for the proper training and
instruction Of their children not only
desire such cooperation but deem it
essential to the success Of our work.
Without an interest Of this kind the
school becomes an artificial institu.
ton. so apart from the deeper current
of the child's life that much of its
benefits are lost. The professional
educator looks to the parent for as
sistance because the wise teacher
knows that the efforts of the class.
room are in many instances wasted If
there is not the type of home life
that stands for the upbuildina Of
character and respect for duly consti-
tuted authority.
Home training is the basis for all
future education. Pope's assertion.
Just as the twiE is bent. so is the
tree inclined" is as much An educa,
tonal truism as IL Is principle of
the physical world. The teacher is
given the child as a partly-fnished
pfOOOCl. Inc competitor OF the task
then lies largely with the school.
To achieve satisfactory contact.
parent and teacher must not he
strangers to each other. Theirs is
common task. One needs the co
operation, the help and the advice of
the other. One or the other usually
will he found at fault when things 90
wrong with the child.
Some parents consign their children
entirely N the teachers when the
youngsters start 10 school This is 2
grave mistake. that can he productive
only of poor results. II is not only
Sinking Of parental duty but it places
an overwhelming burden on the
teacher Al most. the teacher can
only influence the children given to
her care during less than half their
waking hours. Much remains to be
done in the way Of training during
those other hours when mind and
body of youngsters are active.
When parents realize that their
children are none the less theirs be.
cause they have begun their classroom
routine. and when they assume their
full share OF the responsibility for
their proper education and training
our system Of education will be con.
siderably nearer perfection.
tCocvrirht 1921