Milford chronicle., 1940-09-13
R0ME EDUCATION
"Ths Chiid'S First School IS the
Familg'-FR0EBEL
Issued b. the National Kindergarten
Association. West 40th Street,
New York City
Q @ Q
BACKAT SCHOOL
Laura GRAY

Laura Gray
There was a stir down our street
this September morning, a sort of
breathlessness in voice and step, as
boys and girls ran out from houses
on both sides. Carefully washed and
cOmbed, with shining faces and most
Of them In new shoes, they walked
not with the abandon of holidays.
but with new purposefuIness. Hap
rs eager conversation showed that
school, for them, was an enjoyable
adventure-despite the popular idea
that it IS dreaded and disliked.
At the entrance Of her front yard,
young Mrs. Bently stood for a long
time, shading her eyes toward the
school, as IL loath to have her pre-
c'ous six-year-old out of her sight.
She turned toward the house, then
came back again and stopped a big
boy, in a new brown suit. who was
whistling joyous notes. Jim, have
an eye for my Tommy-wont you?
School Is new to him. Don't let any
one pick on him or bully him"
Sure, I'll look out for Tommy,
Mrs. Bently." Jim Strengthened,
touched his brand new cap, then
strode On-whistling.
More doors opened. little girls
with fresh frocks and long bare legs.
and eyes full Of laughter. came out,
Joined others and iocked up the
street.
Then the doors Of the big. gray
school house were closed, and the
street was quiet-so quiet. Only a
few lonely dogs we're left, and they
lay on the sidewalks. noses between
paws, pointed toward the school,
waiting hopefully for their play
mates to come back.
What can we mothers do to help
our children who have gone so
eagerly to spend the best hours of
the day in the big. gray school? Is
there anything we can do? II mo-
theirs could be teachers for a while
they would soon know that a pupils
success depends very much on the
home from which he comes.
First we can help him physically
You have only to look INTO the face
Of child to know whether he has
bad a full nights slesp, been prop
erly bathed, and had an adequate
hreakfast-with plenty of time to
eat it, II 80. it will tend to make his
eyes glisten. to make him alert. to
give him a grip on life and a con-
sciousness Of his rightful place
among his fellows. Remember. at
tending school is real work.
We can help the sch6oh child So
c'ally, too. Some boys and girls have
a way with them that wins friends
Immediately; others like them, trust
them. Almost at once they are chos-
en- leaders in various activities.
Other youngsters stand aloOf-shy.
timid, unhappy. perhaps even sullen.
Why2 The home should find out and
bring about a reversal.
Clothes have a marked place in
school life. just as they have in
other kinds Of society. Untidy. un-
clean, iIl-fitting clothes give the
school boy or girl an inferior place
in his own estimation. as well as
in that OF teachers and sehoolmates
Unusual apparel clothes unlike
those worn by the majority-mark
a boy or girl as queer Youngsters
do not often complain Of these
things. but they suffer much from
self-consciousness Let us. as far
as our means viii permit-and it is
not a question of means, nut
Of understanding and care-enable |
the student to face the day, his tea
cher and his comrades. unconscious |
OF his clothes. He will. il they are
not noticeably unlike those of his
mates.
You will want your child. also, to |
have a happy. genial outlook on life,
with a readiness to help others. Con-
slider that he can hardly do this, If he |
hears unfavorable remarks against |
school, teacher or pupils. at home. 1t
will help him II we welcome-get to |
know-the friends he brings home,
and It will help to keep him at home |
II we manage to have some place
shed, basement or garden-where
'the gang" can and will come to
play.
A quiet, warm. well-lighted place
and a set time for study will be about 1
all the help required Of us with re-
gard to the child's homework. And
Il we are alert, ready at all times
TO do for the child all that belongs
to the home to do. It Is not likely
that we shall be disappointed with
The results at school.