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Show OUR- CHILDREN Hy ANGELO PATR1 CHECK UP NOW QUECK up on your school child's card "'if ;, St,Uly his latBst reno'-' a subJect- lt n"y of his n to "? fa,Ung 0IT' t,i,!e "P the . or once. Tn,k flrst o the m,d "-ememher that your attitude at-titude on this is of first Importance. "you take the tone that the child has neglected his work and disgraced himself you won't get very far. Go about lt gently. Ask him where he thinks the trouble is ajul when he says, "Aw, she never Elves me a chance," don't fly at him and end the conference In a tense situation. Listen. Keep on listen-ng. listen-ng. Let him say all he has to say in Ids own defense and question him furtlwr. By and by he will begin to disclose something of his difficulty, diffi-culty, and that is what you need. After you have talked to the boy go to see the teacher. Once more you must go about your task tactfully tact-fully and in the spirit of helpfulness. helpful-ness. The teacher is your partner, yo-ur working partner, and unless she is with you strongly you are not going to succeed. Tell the teacher you want to do all you can to keep the boy progressing steadily and ask her what you can do. Then plan with her. Don't be satisfied until you can answer these questions: ques-tions: Why is the child falling behind? What must be done first to make up the failing? How much more work has he to cover before the term end? Can you see a way clear for him to accomplish it? Can you make a schedule of work that will enable the child to complete his work well within the time and allow al-low him some time for review and reorganization? You see you have not only to bring the child up to the standard just now, you have to plan to help him maintain that standard. You cannot do the work for him but you can so organize his work in co-operation with the teacher that he can carry on for himself. All you can do, once you have found the difficulty, strengthened it, laid out the term plan, is to stand on the sidelines and coach and cheer. He must do the rest. If sickness has kept the child from school and cost him his standing don't try to make it up at one bite. Talk things over with the teacher. teach-er. Scale down the subject matter to the essentials. It is surprising how much easier this makes the child's work. Sometimes a special program will enable a child to make up lessons. |