Evening star., 1962-09-02
EDUCATION
FORUM
By BENJAMIN FINE

Question: Do you believe a
child should get some help at
home? Some schools will not
allow children to bring their
books home. The most impor-
tant thing in a child's life, I
believe, is the help he gets from
his dad. If the parents are in
terested in the child's work,
they should be allowed to see
what problems and reading and
social studies the child is talk
ing about. A child cannot ex-
plain to his parents VIII a
progress he's making in school
If he's not allowed to bring his
books home once in a while.
What do you think2
Answer; I agree with you
Children not only should be al
lowed to bring their books
home, they should be en-
couraged to do so. AS a matter
of fact, most schools permit the
pupils to carry books home.
and sometimes even allow them
to keep their books. This is one
way to encourage a love for
books among children.
If books are an expense to
the school system, why not use
cheaper paperback editions? I
know that good books are ex-
pensive. and perhaps in some
instances the school officials
feel that they will last longer If
they do not leave the class
room.
This is a mistake. OF course,
children should discuss their
schoolwork with their parents.
If parents become interested in
what their children are doing,
if they show that they are
really concerned with the prog
gress they are making, the
youngsters will respond that
much better.
In my opinion, nothing helps
a child adjust better in school
especially in the early elemen-
tary grades. than the knowl-
edge that his mother an6
father are really interested ir
what he is doing. Not only
should dad help, as you sug-
gest, but MON should come into
the picture, too. A child should
feel that both his parents
want to help him in his school
work.
You might talk to your child's
teacher, find out why he's moi
permitted to take his books
home, and perhaps arrange to
buy a duplicate set. if neces-
sary. But normally this will not
be necessary. Most schools want
their children to bring their
books home, to do homework
and to get their parents inter-
ested as well. That doesn't
mean you should actually dc
your child's homework. But II
does suggest that you can be q
source of encouragement.
Question: My niece who will
graduate from high school at II
next year has but one goal in
life-to become a veterinary
doctor. Her love and compas-
sion for all Of Gods creatures
in the animal kingdom has
been boundless all her life. How
can I tell her that she must
witness unspeakable cruelties
and worse, practiced upon lab
oratory animals, and doubt
leSsly will not remain Just an
innocent bystander during her
years of learning. I want to
spare her, yet feel she must
be warned. Your advice will be
appreciated.
Answer: Don't tell her. After
all, If she is so greatly inter-
eSted in a veterinary career,
she undoubtedly knows what's
in store for her. I doubt
whether the "unspeakable
cruelties" actually exist. OF
course, veterinarians, as well as
M. DIS. have to perform ex-
periments on animals while
they are learning their profess
sions, but usually every pre-
caution is taken to minimize the
cruelties Of which you speak,
Because she has a love and
compassion for animals, she
will be a better veterinarian,
She will be in a position to help
sick animals get well, and to