Evening star., 1935-12-18
Spite Of Many Variations Belong Two Family Groups
Help Child
According
TOHisNeed
Consider Principles
Underlying Develop
ment and Growth.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

IF THERE we're a code governing
the growth, development and train
ing of children it would be easier for
those who deal with them. Whenever
young Robin had tantrum one could
flip the pages of the manual and read
the rule, apply it, and forget the mat
ter. But there is no such law, no such
code. A human being Of any age, OF
any stage of development is a COM
plex, mysterious being and an object
of reverence for the rest of US. That
being so-and ones daily experience
will soon prove tit is better to stand
back and study the child that is de-
pending upon us for help before try
ing to make him fit into our scheme
without pain to us. He will have
pain in any case. am merely point
ing out that a goodly share Of our
training is aimed at our own COM
fort first and the children's progress
second.
If there are no set rules that work
like charms, what is one TO depend
upon for guidance? There are some
| proven principles. Sturdy health.
| and all that is associated in its cul-
tivation, is a sure foundation on
which TO erect character. Get health
first. Not just health of body, but
health of spirit and health of mind.
I cannot tell you what I mean by
/ spirit and mind because I do not
/ know what they are. I know they
exist in association with the body in
/ every human being. I know that
/ their health is equally as important
as health of the body. But there are.
/ few rules to be discovered, few facts
/ that can be isolated and proven con-
/ cerning them. One truth is clear:
Body, mind and spirit are a unity,
and what promotes successful growth
in one helps to stimulate it in the
other. The principle would seem to
be: Hold fast to what has proven
to be good for this child.
At once all simplicity in the field !.
of child training vanishes. This
child is like no other. He may re-
semble the host. in a hundred ways
and differ from them in one, and that
| one difference will make all the differ
ence in the world to his success, and
yours. Regard that difference and
| deal with the child accordingly. The
/ fact that the three other children
( of the family never had the slightest
dread of going to bed is not going
I to help you overcome fear in this one.
That all the other pupils in the class
I obey promptly and cheerfully except
this one. who is forever behind, for
ever last, forever looking at the world
with blank eyes, helps you only by
calling your attention to this ch1ld's
needs. The rule would seem to be;
Help each according to his need. Not
easy, in school or at home.
There are many books, many spe-
cialists, many advisers, and each Of
fers something helpful to somebody,
but none offers universal help. Listen
with your mind free, think about what
has been advised. then, before you
apply the suggestion to ethe child IN
question, study him once more. Is
this advice going to be helpful in
dealing with this child? If your
good sense, which is born Of expert
ence, says, yes, then follow it. II
no, reserve it and go on searching
and studying the child himself. In
him is the law, in him the spirit
that accepts or rejects what is Of
fered, in him, the struggle and the
victory. The child is your law.
CCopyright 1880