First Steps in Child Training (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...One can never find a cooperative or harmonious life in such families. One member will be constantly tripping up the others in any statement that is made. No matter what the subject of conversation may be, let one member take one position and another will uphold the opposite view. Independence vs. Captiousness.--While this captious and disputatious attitude should be frowned upon in a family, still parents ought to encourage originality and independence in the discussion of matters of vital importance. If a child should make the statement, for instance, that our country ought to require every person between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five to have military training, and another child should take exception to this, it will be of advantage to all members of the family to have the subject discussed in a fair-minded way. If parents begin early enough, they can help their children to cultivate an independent but at the same time fair attitude in the discussion of any question that may arise. Parents should sit in judgment upon the method of discussion of their children. If one member of the family is inclined to be merely contentious, but not to present his views in a fair way, then he ought to be decided against, and the judgment of the whole family should be secured against him. It is a good training for a child to receive the hostile sentiments of the members of the family if in his talk he seeks to humiliate or to take unfair advantage of his contestant. Sometimes a boy in a family will seek to east ridicule upon a brother or sister by the tone of the voice, or expression of the face, or calling names, and so on. The more soundly he is condemned for this by the entire family the better it will be for him and for all who have to associate with him. V Choos...