Evening star., 1936-11-12
School
For Three
Year-Old
Should Be Carefully
Chosen and In
vestigated.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

WILBUR is 2. going on 3; catching
up on very rapidly. His mother,
fearing the isolation of the only child
in the house, entered him in the
nursery school, The teacher was de-
lighted to receive him. Mother was
delighted at the thought that now
Wilbur would have playmates. She
was a bit astonished to find Wilbur
hated and coated and gloved, waiting
for her at the gates of the school.
I'm all ready" said he cheerfully.
"I've been waiting for you"
Thinking that perhaps this was
one of the ways the school had found
good for the comfort Of the new
entrant, mother drove him home hap
PLY enough.
Did you have good time, Wilbur"
"Oh, yes, fine. I'm going again
tomorrow"
He was waiting at the gate the
next day, although mother had started
bit early in hope of seeing the
teacher. She started earlier the third
day for the same reason, and again
found Wilbur ready and at the gate.
Becoming suspicious. she returned to
school one hour after leaving him
and there ne was waiting.
"Oh, yes" said the teacher, 1--WE
thought we would allow him to stay
in the groups as long as he wanted
to and as soon as he seemed to tire
we let him go out. The weather is
so fine just now. Gradually he will
become accustomed to the longer
periods of play, we hope"
That evening mother talked 1t over
with father. Seems funny to me-"
said he, but I never went to one
of those schools, so can't say. What's
the idea of sending a 3-year-old kid
to School?"
$50 he can learn to adjust himself
to other children. Staying by him.
self he will not get the experiences
that his social development demands.
He has to learn to give and take, and
live happily with other children, and
this is the time he learns"
Waiting at the gate, eh? Well,
you know best" And that was all
of that. Wilbur was not at the gate
the next time, but he came promptly
when the car drew up. Il was all
ready" said he as cheerful as ever.
He Is doing better, we hope" said
the teacher, not too reassuring in
tone or manner, and again mother
wondered.
One morning, about three weeks
after Wilbur had started to school,
his mother heard car pull up at
the door. and looked out. Here was
the teacher and Wilbur 1.-THE head
mistress sent Wilbur home. She thinks
he is not sufficiently developed to play
with the others yet. She hopes that
you will return him when he is more
matured"
Mothers hurried visit to the school
brought this news: Wilbur poked
children anywhere he happened to
place a finger. He pushed them
about as II they were furniture. He
took passionate liking for whatever
toy Or tool another child was using.
He slapped out right and left when
ever he found his path obstructed.
He felt, smelled, even tossed the chill
dren about him most Unexpectedly,
The children called it punching, kick
ing, biting and resented Wilbur's
ways. 80 Just had to send him
home"
Wilbur did all those things, but
and don't be shocked--he was being
perfectly normal In his behavior. He
was investigating children and their
ways according 10 his stage Of growth
and understanding. His growth was
right for his age. and his under
standing OF children, which was
minus, was also right for Its age. He
was not bad. He was not abnormal.
Nursery schools that are managed
by trained, expert teachers know all
this and are prepared to meet 1t.
Mother selected the wrong school.
The right one would have taken care
Of these infantile expressions and re-
directed them. Under the circum-
stances home was the best place for
him.
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten.
ton to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
velopment of children. Write to him
in care Of this paper, inclosing a
Scent stamped, self-addressed en-
velope for reply.
(Copyright, 1850
Cooking Tip.
Before heating milk IN Q saucepan,
rinse the pan with water ana 1t win
not scorch 80 easily.