New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-10-03
BY JULIA BLANSHARD

New York, Oct. - Il used to
just smack my children when they
were bad and put them to bed with
out any supper. Then ! began 10
see l should talk to them. Now /
have learned that l can make them
friends who talk things over with
me-"
This testimonial, given In broken
English by glowing faced Bingham
clad Polish mother from the lower
East Side. tells graphically what the
Child Study association of America
is doing to teach thousands of par
ents how to understand and cope
with their modern children.
shrdl etao shrd tao hrd hrdl dldlll
1t is 40 years this fall since a
handful of young mothers and
educators. perplexed by the
younger generation" even in
those pre-tlaoper. pre-jazz days,
started this experiment in parental
education by meeting for clinical
discussion of their own problems.
Now In Five Nations
In November. this year, the
Child Study Association of Amer
lea will have thousands of men,
beers celebrate its 10th birthday. in
hundreds Of chapters, not only in
every state in the union but in
Canada, Japan, China and Russia
as we'll.
While many have united in this
work, one woman stands out for
valiant, continued service as pref
dent OF the organization for so
years. She is Mrs. Howard Cans,
who joined the group in the 90's
when, as the young mother Of two
children, she suddenly realized
! that an education in exclusive fin
ishing schools and travel abroad
had really taught her nothing she
needed to know about rearing chill
dren.
ut is almost unbelievable Low
the worlds attit ude towards chill
dren has changed in three de-
cadcs." Mrs. Cans said.
1.-THE definition of a good child
in those days was one who sat alb
solutely still. doing nothing. Now.
the good child is the active one
who is SO absorbed working out
something for himself or playing
that he is entirely unconscious of
anybody else.
"F'ully as indicative of the new
attitude is the fathers place In
the scneme of things today. In
the sos. the father was the pro-
wider and the punisher. Now he's
Dad pal. a conirade. a domi-
mating influence in the child's life.
I'm the 9o's, when you talked
about the chiId's nature and needs
1t was a foreign language to most.
Folks believed in the God givel,
parental instinct TO manage chill
dren. Dewey. Watson and other
modern psychologists hadn't ap-
peared yet. Now there is a general
appreciation that parents do OF
know instinctively what to do with
children. but must learn.
I'm the old days, folks said. All
children are alike Now we know
each is different. Given three cl.il-
dren who show fear. the chances
are that ewh DIS had a differt n,
reason for it and needs different
treatment
THE day of punishment TO,
children is really over Also tn.
terrific misunderstanding between
two generations. Parents hav.
learned that they can bridge the
big chasm If they stand on tiptot
and copy Alice in Wonderland WHIT
felt she must keep running fas
as she could to stay where she
vas"
by studying modern educa
tional methods. understan 1ins
modern literature and never feel
ing aghast at modern conditions
parents can prepare their children
: to deal with the problems of to
day. For children must have free
dom but they must be taught. in
: diligently. how to discipline them
selves"
The biggest problem before TIL
Association today is the grea
American clamor for standardiza
: ton in dealing with children. jus
as in running machinery. manu-
featuring clothes and other me
chanical things. according to Mrs
Cans.
One Route 10 Happiness
"America wants recipe TO
! dealing with children - guaran
' teed to- win formula. Our organ'
zation and the many others in tn
: field are beginning TO make par
o ents realize that children are tn
5 exception to the rule Of Standard
zation. Each child needs bis owl
| dia Hnosis and treatment On1