Transactions of the Annual Meeting of the Western Literary Institute, and College of Professional Teachers (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.1838 Excerpt: ... tual education is the communication of knowledge, and the exercise of mental discipline; physical education embraces all those means and methods employed to preserve health and increase the vigor of the bodily system. It is under this three-fold view we now proceed to speak of the education of the child before he is sent to school. And first of his--I. Moral education. When must this be commenced? We have no hesitation in saying that it is impossible to begin it too soon. Every one who has had any experience in the management of children, knows that they can manifest evil dispositions long before they leave the nurse's arms. Now, he who can do wrong, may do right. We say, then, as soori as the child exhibits a capacity for that which is bad, let the parent begin to teach him that which is good. Does the little one, for example, shew passion towards its attendants, or strike its fellow infant, or throw away its food, or play-things in a pet? Let it see in your looks and manner that you disapprove of its conduct; and, if need be, have recourse to something more impressive than looks and manner. A great deal may in this way be done towards the moral training of a child before it can walk alone, or speak a word. As soon as it begins to talk, and can understand others, there are two or three first lessons which should be most carefully communicated. One of these first lessons is a strict adherence to truth. All experience confirms the declaration of the inspired writer concerning our sinful race--" they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." There is a natural proneness to exaggeration, which, if not early checked, will run into a habit of wilful falsehood. And there is a constant tendency to suppress the truth, and misrepresent facts under the sligh...