Evening star., 1935-06-10
Intangible
FOrCesHOld
Quiet Child
Full Day Means That
He Will Widen His
Interests.
RY ANGELO PATRI.

"EREDEF1cK is a good boy. He
gets along well in school. gets
good marks and all that. At home he
Is cheerful and willing to do what
ever is asked of him. He plays on
the school teams not brilliantly, but
vell enough to make the boys want
him IN STAY on the team. l have
only one fault to find with him. Once
he gets home from school he does
not want to play with boys his own
age He will play with his little
brother and little brothers friends
very happily. Says he enjoys 1t. But
he will not Join any Cub, or go on
any trips with his classmates when
they invite him. He says he does
rot ENJOY 1t and would rather be at
home Is that good for him? Should
he he allowed to do his"
why not This bov Is II years old
He stands hich in school. which means
that he studies hard He PLAYS on the
school teams. which means he does
his full share Of play with his own
group When he gets home he is
tired in mind and body and wants to
relax from the strain OF keeping him.
self on A high level. He lets down
bv PLAYING happily with his little
brother. something that makes the
little chap more contehted with his
lot and helps keep the affectionate
relationship between them, which is
So desirable
have no fear for the boy who has
full dar such as This one has. As
he grows ne will widen his circle of
interests and friends. cut if he still
shows this liking for his own COM
rany. a book. and his family. II is
nothing to make us anxious about his
future usefulness If nc Stunned all
play. all CGmpanionship; If he sat in
tine corner brooGing or reading book
after hook 10 drug himself into insen-
shilltv. ve would have cause for wor
~ But there is happy medium be-
tween th7 child who is very socia BILE
and The Cne who is not sociable at
all. THAI ln-between child. who is a
little of both and gets on happily, is
quite all right
But what about the one who re-
treats completely and sits brooding.
or, as l suggested. drugging himself
hy reading mechanically hour after
hour2 He should be taken TO the
skilled specialist in mental hygiene.
He needs expert advice and treat
nent. We are always alert to help
the adolescent girl. but somehow we
overlook the boy who is in a worse
predicament. Very often the adoles-
rent hoy who shuns companionShip
.shirks his work and becomes lazy
and grouchv and stubborn is in need
Of medical help
This stage of growth is difficult for
ell children. but for some it is much
worse. Besleged by parents and tea CHI
ers. who demand work and successful
results weighed by feelings that are
lneypressible and completely binding,
he takes refuge in SecluSion and si-
lence. and. when prodded, in sullen
or angry response
Don't scOld such a boy If he could
he would be smiling and happy and
successful. He longs to be like the
lad at the head of the procession, but
something stronger than his wish
holds him down, prisoner, captive
bound by intangible forces. Spare
him your words, your cold looks and
your grief. Take him to the special
ist who works with such children and
get the help he needs, as soon as you
can. Human beings do not retreat
from their kind If they can help it,
especially young ones of II and l3.