Evening star., 1937-03-08
Shy
Child Is Not
Exception
Should Be laugh t
Trade He Wishes
to Learn.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

THE child who' to my mind is
among the most useful children
Of the world, is neglected In school,
shamed at home, ignored by society
for the most part. Schools were es-
tablished to teach the book minded
children when only that sort Of child
was educated. The hand-minded
child got his training, and it was a
good one. at home. In that day home
held all the arts and crafts and trades
within its circles of activities. Today
home holds very little except the stove,
the beds and the radio. What is the
hand-minded child to do? Schools
do not want him, colleges won't have
him. Even the high schools have
grown snooty and want only students
with honor marks. The law won't
let him find himself a job, even If
he could. What is he to do and where
Is he to go?
agree heartily that the adult mem
bers of society are the ones to carry
on in the working world, but I must
voice my concern about these children
who are not fitted by nature to do the
school work as 1t is commonly pre-
sented.
What, for example, is boy Of IA.
3 feet 10. weight 164, in sound
health. poor in school subjects. eager
to use his muscles and his intelligence.
for he has plenty, to do? The school
benches do not fit him, the long peri
ods of sitting still. in idleness-for he
cannot even think along the lines
that teacher is laying down-are tor
ture for him. When he can stand
no more he has an outburst of temper,
or he creates disorder, and is driven
out. Where is he to go?
He is not the exception. There is
q great group of him. He forms the
; groups on the corner. He is among
l. those present before the judge. He is
in the behavior clinics, in the reform
schools. He is everywhere but where
q he belongs, In some good vocational
school, in some good shop, learning
the elements of his life work. This
useful, necessary child IS being wasted
by the thousand in this child-loving
a land.
This child has been troubling the
minds of social leaders for some time.
His increasing numbers in the various
corrective institutions is alarming
thoughtful people. Clubs are being
opened to offer him a place to loaf
and invite his soul; play places are be-
ing built for him. They will not
serve. This child does not want to
play away his life. His instinct is to
be useful, to work hard at his chosen
task. He wants to do something that
he can look at with the pride Of the
creator and say, "It is good" Only
when he can do this is his health and
the health Of the Nation insured.
When seeking ways to save these
children why not try education? We
have schools waiting to be used. After
all, school building can serve chill
dren any hour Of the day and evening
quite as we'll as between and
8. It can serve all the year round,
if necessary, and it is necessary. We
have plenty Of teachers waiting for
work Why not use what We have
and take care of these boys and girls
today, in their growing time. before
it is too late. Tomorrow means loss
of this great group of worthy, useful,
. necessary young citizens.
We ought to have schools for civic
servants, for trades, for household
workers, for any sort Of work that
any sort Of young person wishes to
learn. Saying there is no future for
young workers is wicked nonsense.
Let's get busy.
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten-
ton to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and devel-
opment Of children. Write him in
care Of this paper. inclosing a s.
cent stamped, self-addressed envelope
for reply.
tCopyright. 1880