Evening star., 1937-07-31
The Free
Spirit of
Children
Cultivating a Degree
of individuality in
Youngsters.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

rs THERE anything one can do
to teach intelligent boys and girls
that they do not have to follow the
crowd to get where they want to be?
I am about at my wits end. Every
body does it. everybody wears one,
everybody is going seem to be the
only thoughts in my children's heads
when a decision has to be made. /
would like my children to learn that
they could be different on occasions
without being declassed"
That notion is as old as mankind
We cannot live alone in comfort
We cannot act alone and feel pleased
about it. We must have the compan-
ionship of others. we have to have
their approval and their praise and
if possible, their envy, to support
our feeble spirits Only the bravest
o. the leaders dare stand alone and if
they cannot carry the crowd along
with them. they fail.
But it is possible to cultivate a
degree of individuality in most healthy
children. 1t is almost too much to
expect that the early adolescent stage
of development will allow such ex-
preston Of personal power That
usually comes. if it comes at all, in
post adolescence and it comes to full
maturity when the adult reaches his
full spiritual stature. One must teach
children to work toward that end
and be grateful If they seem inclined
to look in that direction
One thing we can do. and which
we often neglect. We can give chill
dren chance to choose their way.
their own colors. their own gifts, their
own choice of recreation, choose
among such experiences as offer a
degree of self-expression without
danger to mind or body. Teachers and
parents are busy people and they take
short cuts whenever possible by telling
children exactly what they are to do
and how they are to do it and Just
when. The child trained in that way
will not be the one to lead the group
He will be the one who watches to
see what Is being done and follows
the pattern. You cannot blame it
on him. His training set him that
way.
Rearing a child to start his own
line of action. to choose his own
course. Is -Wracking, risky
business that requires a strong mind,
a clear brain. stout heart. 1t de-
mands patience, for the child will
tumble and make unexpected and
embarrassing mistakes 1t will take
courage. for one cannot foresee what
will happen to him in his adventures,
and the harsh criticism Of those who
look on from the safety Of the side
lines. within the conventional scheme
of education, will be hard to bear. It
will take wisdom and hope and faith
beyond daily store, for the spirit of
youth is eager to soar and reckless
in his ignorance Of danger But the
doing is worth while for only the soul
that is reared in liberty will know
what liberty means. Only the mind
that has been reared in freedom can
know the meaning Of that word. Only
the freed spirit will dare nightly to
keep that spirit free
There was once Scottish chief
tain whose clan had been worsted
somewhat by another At the BANQUET
given by the victor the defeated one
was ordered to sit below the rest. He
tossed his plume and strobe to the
appointed place, saying, Where Nc
Gregor sits is the head of the table
and the place Of homage to you" I
imagine that McGregor was i'll to
rear, but I know he was ever the head
of the table.
Mr.. Patri will give personal at
| tention to inquiries from parents
and school teachers on the care and
| development of children. Write him
in care Of this paper, inclosing d
Scent, stamped, addressed en-.
velope for reply,
tCopyrisht. 1e37D