The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-20
RHYOUR CHILDREN
 By Olive Roberts BartoN .
01655 67 Nf7 sfaTIcl, dssc:
DON'T SCOLD TOO SEVERELY
 Reprimands May Affect Small Child Mentally
By OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON

Child Mentally
 By OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON
 A correspondent writes, What do you do when you have two children, one four years old and one two? You can't stand with your hands on your hips and yell Shut up all day.
 No, Madam, you can't. You can, should say, but it's about as worth while as asking the wind to stop blowing. They wouldn't know how. The four-year-old might, for 8 few minutes, but as you know, he forgets almost instant ly. Of course, you can make them afraid, and stop development. That's easy. It has been the in- door sport of parents for centuries to make little children afraid. But by this time every one should know that such a course makes them cross, stupid and un- happy if it is kept up long enough. You realize this or you would not have written. congratulate you on your good sense and intelli- gence.
 Nature Plays Part Your two-year-old is developing her body and her instincts. She is learning coordination of mind and muscle, deepening her impression muscle, deepening her impressions by being active. Lady Nature is training her own child by little I,,n nfc a1J Ji mo movement of body and a magnifi- cent curiosity.
 The four -year-old is the greater problem. Children are born three times. At birth, again in the 4th, 5th year period, and again during adolescence. In each of the last two phases there is complete re- adjustment of social attitude, that is, the point of view toward the | world.
 It is quite easy to set the atti- tude of the four-year-old against people. His reactions will be ac- cording to his nature. He may retire into himself if constantly scolded, and become a shy, sham ed little shadow, remaining such all his life-futile, coward1y, and beaten before he starts. Or he may camouflage this spirit cring- | ing by turning bully. His pent-up l but entirely unconscious resent ment may not turn on his mother | but onevery one else around him.. Or he may fight openly and frank ly any one who tries to control. | Reprimand Discreetly During this period of social ad- | justment, he is developing persona ality. Everything he sees or does, every experience he has he inter- prets in terms of "self" or as it is called "ego,' a most important emotion-center of the mind. He can be made or broken by his treatment. It is now that he will develop an incurable "inferiority" If entirely discouraged.
 This does not mean that he can always have his own way, but rep
 rimanding should be of the sort not to leave permanent mental scars, and too much punishing and
 scolding will do this every thing.
 Keep both children busy. The
 older child particularly needs to l have diversified toys that provide
 activity. Keep his hours as regu-
 lar as the babys. Don't interpret
 everything is naughtiness. The
 "will' is definite part of social development and asserts itself.
 Don't argue. Give in sometimes
 and don't sometimes, but don't argue. He won't always obey, particularly a positive commando the "do" command.
 i Time passes. Gradually both will be quieter as reason and other | things tone them down. Be as cheerful as you can and accept the | inevitable. Little children will be noisy, disobedient and thoughtless | great deal of the time.