The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-09-01
By GEORGIA LOTT SETTER

By GEORGIA LOTT SETTER
WOH, WHY need children be quite
~ SO needless and disobedient?"
sighed Mary Lance YEARLY.
II wonder if they really are" an
swered her neighbor, Mrs. Jaynes,
comfortably. "They behave as they
do because they are children. They
usually act on impulse, without any
thought either of being obedient or
disobedient. You must expect such
conduct until they begin to acquire
the knowledge that experience
brings.
81 am convinced that children
need real help in remembering
much more frequently than they
need punishment. This belief is
based partly on my own never-to-be-
forgotten childish experience with
detested red apron. My aunt, with
whom l lived, made me big red
apron from one of her old house
dresses and said: Lucy, you are to
put this apron on over your school
dress each morning until your work
is DONE I had no objection to that,
but several times each week I
rushed heedlessly away to school,
Haunting the aprons faded ugliness
for all to see. My aunt always sent
message by an older girl who
was our neighbor, reminding me to
remove the apron. And no reproof
was ever considered complete until
these episodes of the red apron
were held up to me as evidence of
my disobedience!
GIVE never forgotten the unhappi-
ness and embarrassment they in
CURED. Yet how easily my aunt
might have prevented them. She
could have said, Always come to
me before you start to school to be
sure you look NICE Or, Always kiss
me good-by, Lucy My love-hungry
little heart would never have al
lowed me to forget to do that, you
may be sure! And there would have
been no hurting apron episode"
'But Henry's case is different"
said Mrs. Lance. 'tHe is a boy and
should learn to take responsibility.
Yet he never remembers his chores
or his errands."
Appreciation Lightens Labor
''He just needs the help of a little
reminder" insisted Mrs. Jaynes.
Suppose you mention it casually
before his father each time he does
his work well and without being re-
minded? Even we older folks find
that appreciation lightens labor.
''Try to make work pleasant. New
er use it as punishment.
''Let work lead naturally to suit
able rewards. If Henry helps you
with the dishes and tides the house,
it would be quite evident that you
would have more time. Perhaps
you could both 60 to the movies or
for a ride. When he has learned
to prepare food he can have picnics
and parties. If he keeps his room in
order, let him know how restful you
find it when you go in to spend a
few moments with him. If he takes
good care of his clothes, brushing
them and hanging them up neatly,
he would be happy indeed if Mother
should buy for Father and him two
articles just alike.
IF Henry is apt to forget his du-
ties, do not credit it to disobedi-
ence but study how you may make
it interesting and profitable for him
to remember. Children dread to
work alone, so make his duties, so
far as you reasonably can, some
thing that you can share. Do not
expect results beyond the ability Of
his years. Praise him when he does
well. Reward him in a natural and
sensible way. Help him remember
for he honestly needs your help.
Sand presently you will have the
satisfaction of seeing that he has ac-
quired the habit of reliability and
accepts work as a pleasant and
necessary part of normal living"
National Kindergarten Association
(WNU SerWice.)