Milford chronicle., 1938-01-07
REYIEWING WE CHILDREN
Lydia Lion Roberts

Lydla Lion Roberts
A mother may sometimes do more
toward helping her children's de-
veloDment in quiet hour by herself
than in many hours of talking to
them. In order to help child to
build his character into something
I fine and enduring, much of an
adults time and patience is fequir-
ed, as well as the intelligent coop
GRAFTON Of the child himself. To at
tain and keep a complete, we'll
rounded personality II is necessary
to secure proper nourishment for
three phases of growth, and If one
is benefited at the cost of either of
the others, the result will be less
satisfying. The, child must grow
physically, mentally and spiritually
in order to become vital, capable
and serene human being, able not
only to adapt himself to the various
requirements of the world, but to
give from his own personality an in
fiuence that will benefit the lives Of
those he contacts.
During the continuous activities of
a mothers day, she attends to the
hundred and one needs and desires
of her children, but because she is
so close to these boys and girls she
does not always get a proper per-
spective of their characters. She
needs to go apart by herself and re-
view them one by one so that she
may better see where she may help
them attain fuller, richer growth.
Bringing the child vividly to her
mind, thinking over his words and
actions of the past week, the pre-
ceding months, she will gradually
become better acquainted with him.
In this quiet hour she may dwell on
those things that have been most
pleasing and rejoice in them; she
may ponder just why or how the
child did not quite measure up to
her expectations in other ways. Was
the fault in the child's character or
in an adults misunderstanding?
Are there manifestations that |
should be encouraged and manners /
that need attention? How does the |
child appear to other people? The |
mother should try to think of her
child dispassiOnately, as if the boy
or girl belonged to some one else.
Physically, the child should he /
erect. bright-eyed, full of the glow
and vigor of youth. fearless. strong
and happy. In what way may the
mother and father help the child TO
attain this ideal of gradual. persis-
tent progress to wholesome matur-
ity? Are there gymnastics, physical
culture exercises, radio brOadcasts
that will help TO develop stronger,
a more acknowledgement body?
Is the thinking of the child and the
famiIy strongly directed toward
up a body that functions as
It should. that can stand strain and
S we'll poised and properly balanc-
ID, ready to respond instantly to any
demand upon it?
Mentally. every boy or girl may
levelop along different lines, but
lear thinking, and an eagerness TO
)e continually learning are import
mt. Every day will bring new prob
ems and activities, the need for
u6gment and new decisions. The
-oung mind should be alive with
IDEAS and enthusiasm to experiment,
0 discover different routes and
to forge ahead undaunted
" difficulties. Is the child a little
low, needing stimulation in some
lajor subject? Does the parents
now exactly what the school ex-
ects and requires of its pupils? ,
)Oes Mother understand how best to
id in this child's mental growth?
IN what occasions will he benefit by
raise? Can she find just the inspir-
tion needed to turn a task into
elight, to point the way to greater
ndeavors and finer achievements? !
IOes the child concentrate we'll, J
rasp ideas readily, does he know i
ow to express himself IN some
,rm of art, music or crafts? Older
aople can help children in mental
rOwth IL first they have a clear J
cture of mental needs.
Spiritually, the child should grow {
Dward as a flower reaching toward t
e sky. All things good and true, !,
and sincere should iind
nsitive response in his heart. The :
other may help open his eyes to
e lessons taught by the lives cf n
eat people. to the fragrance eman- -
ing from the love Of those who
We unselfshly. to the thoughtful "
IS that encourages young, untried
ct and the kindness that brightens r
man contacts. She may help the
rces within to develop through ma U
raj expression. ever seeking to y
ing about continuous growth ac-
riding IN har own and her ehild's 4.