Evening star., 1938-07-27
Teach Child
ToAccept
Decision
He Must Learn to
Play With Boys
In Playground.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

WELL. well, never mind. James.
Stay by yourself, You have your
own nice yard and your own things
to play with. Those children aren't
worth thinking about. They've no
bringing up, that's all Id rather you
stayed by yourself than have them
fighting with you and being rough
and tough. Just stay by yourself"
They're always fighting with me.
They want my ball and my bat, but I
can't be captain. They make Micky
captain, and he hasn't even a ball.
And when I say anything they holler,
Shut up and Red Turner knocked
my books out Of my arms, on the
stairs, and somebody. I think 1t was
Micky, kicked them right from under
my hands. And when I told them I
was going to tell on them they just
hollered more. bet won't play with
them again. They'll see"
Just stay by yourself. Keep away
from them. You're not tough like
them. It's always best to mind your
own business and have nothing to do
with the neighbors but pass the time
of day. That's what do; and If you
do the same you'll have less bother" I"
Yes, maybe, but is he to live alone?
Where? And how? What is he being
sent to school for If he is to live the
life Of recluse? OF course, his mother
does not mean that he should retreat
from life. She dreams Of the day when
he will stand at the head Of his group
in whatever field he selects. But
she does not see that he has to serve
his apprenticeship among the boys on
the lot in order to prepare for the
time when he goes out among them. a
man, holding his own with other
men.
Boys are rough and tough. They are
not gentle, orderly, peaceable. yes,
mother children. They grow actively.
through action: they act upon each
other. They push on the line. They
knock each others books scooting
along the playground floor when op-
portunity offers. They punch each
other with and without cause. They
gang up to help each other: and woe
to the enemy. They put high value on
gang loyalty and very little on the
adult virtues of cleanliness, good
manners, industry, peaceful ways.
That is the way Of boyhood. Their
time is brief enough for growth, and
we who love them and wish them we'll
must deal wisely, understandingly
with them as they are, least we do
them grave injury.
When tempted to say. ''Those chill
dren," "Those boys" just remember
that some other parent is saying the
same thing in the same tone, and
meaning your children, or your boy.
Try to understand the way Of boy
and encourage your own to get into
the huddle, accept the decision, and
get on with the game. Don't even
hint retreat.
A boy, or girl for that matter, will
not learn to take his own part; will
never grow into a strong individual
able and willing to carry his share
of the load, If he or she retreats in
childhood That Is the period Of
apprenticeship. Let them get the
most they can out Of it in growth and
Joy.
Mr.. Patri has prepared . leafIet
entitled, "A Parents Prayer" which
Is an inspiring example for parents
to follow in bringing mp children.
1t Is suitable for framing. Send for
1t, addressing your request to Mr..
Angelo Patri, Child Psychology De-
partment Of this paper. Inclose = SELF
addressed, stamped (3-cent) envelope.