Milford chronicle., 1926-05-28
FRANKNESS AND TRUTH
Mary e. Slower


A neighbor had volunteered to
stay with little Ruth and Elwood
while their mother went shopping.
do they know that you are going"
this woman asked, when she appear
ed in the kitchen doorway with
knitting bag over one arm.
mo, l haven't told them yet, but
therell be time enough before
start for my car" l.
Don't say word to them!
They're playing all right now, and
you can slip out this back way with
out their suspecting a thing. They
may not miss you for an hour.
/ The mother hesitated, but only for
words with which to make tactful
reply. She decided that candor was
best. 81 couldn't slep away from the
children so. 1t would be too great
strain on their faith in me. They
have a right to suppose that they
will find me at home or else know
when and where went just as it is
my right to expect the same of them.
If 1 should slip away in secret, they
might feel themselves justified IN
3 lOliOMluS lllb Setlll6 COuA
The accommodating neighbor is
childless; but her troubled eyes have
watched big and little children, even
to those of six-foot size, sinking
away to places and companiOnship
OF which their parents would not ap-
prove.
''I don't know how often deceitful
children are the result of deceitful
parents, but 1 guess your way is
best, though it must bring on lot
of teasing and fussing every time
you leave home" she sighed.
mo, it doesn't. From babyhood
both the children have been accuS-
toned to my bidding them goodbye
for a little while. They know that 1
will never leave them uncared for
: nor stay away an unreasonable time.
Come let me introduce you as their
temporary auntie; then listen to our
farewells."
The good-hearted neighbor follow
ed outdoors with some misgivings,
, but she found that these children
took their mothers going sensibly.
! After watching to wave their gay
l ''hankies" as she turned the corner,
they contentedly went back to their
play.
The neighbor recalled thoughtfully
!, the scenes in which her young nep-
! hews and nieces always indulged
i when they found their parents gone.
This must be another proof that
honesty's the best policy with chill
dren-especially when you begin
: with it from the first" was her COM
Portable decision as she sat knitting
:, in peace.
y 1t is the best policy to be honest
J and frank with children. Deceit lhay
seem more profitable for awhile, but
it brings a penalty in suspicious
children who naturally fall into de-
ceitful ways themselves. Indeed,
whoever is troubled by deceitful
traits in child should scan her
l. own ways and speech with care. De-
Y ceitfulness and candor both seem to
p be highly contagious to children. 1t
e is for us to choose which they shall
-, "catch" from US.
e "The kindergarten gives a happy
avenue for the expression of the
child's instincts. 1t creates situations
\ to which the child instinctively re-
spends. Through the little songs and
h dances he satisfies and develops the
! rhythmic instinct, which in after
r. years proves of great value in social
If and religious contact; by means oi
S. the games he expresses the instinct
of play and at the same time is de-
S, velOping the altruistic motive along
1t with the ideal of fairness and justice
r through painting, drawing and mod
cling the aesthetic instinct is express
ID sed; and so on through the entire
II list of the childs natural tendencies
does growth take place. In short, the
: kindergarten thus becomes to the
u child a matter Of organized happi-
u ness."-C. D. Judd, College of In
9 dustrial Arts, Denton, Texas.
~ If there is no kindergarten for the
" little ones Of your community, the
4 National kindergarten Association.
IS West Fortieth Street, New York. will
gladly aid you to get one opened.