Show disobedience often sign of forgetfulness 9 0 IMPULSIVE ACTS OF child are made without thought either of being obedient or disobedient help in remembering often much more necessary than any form of punishment by GEORGIA LOTT 4 OR rh WHY need children be quite so heedless and disobedient sighed mary lance wearily 1 I wonder if they really are answered her neighbor mrs jaynes comfortably they behave as they do because they are children they usually act on impulse without any thought either of being obedient or disobedient you must expect such conduct until they begin to acquire the knowledge that experience brings 1 I am convinced that children need real help in remembering much more frequently than they need punishment this belief is based partly on my own never to be forgotten childish experience with a detested red apron my aunt with whom I 1 lived made me a big red apron from one of her old house dresses and said lucy you are to put this apron on over your school dress each morning until your work is done I 1 had no objection to that b but u t several times each week I 1 rushed heedlessly away to school flaunting the aprons faded ugliness for au all to see my aunt always sent a message by an older girl who was our neighbor reminding me to remove the apron and no reproof was ever considered complete until these episodes of the red apron were held up to me as evidence of my disobedience ive never forgotten the cunha unha unhappy api ness and embarrassment they incurred yet how easily my aunt might have prevented them she could have said always come to me before you start to school to be sure you look nice or always kiss me goodby good by lucy my love hungry little heart would never have allowed me to forget to do that you may be surel sure and there would have been no hurting apron episode but henrys case Is different said mrs lance he is a boy and should learn to take responsibility yet he never remembers his chores or his errands ap appreciation lightens labor he just needs the help of a little reminder insisted mrs jaynes suppose you mention it casually before his father each time he does his work well and without being reminded even we 0 older ider folks find that appreciation lightens labor try to make work pleasant never use it as a punishment let work lead naturally to suitable rewards if henry helps you with the dishes and tidies the house it would be quite evident that you would have more time perhaps you could both go to the movies or for a ride when he has learned to prepare food he be can have picnics and parties if he keeps his room in order let him know how restful you find it when you go in to spend a few moments with him if henry is apt to forget his duties dudes do not credit it to disobedience but study how you may make it interesting and profitable tor for him to remember children dread to work alone so make his duties so tar as you reasonably can something that you can share do not expect results beyond the ability or ot his years praise him when he be does well reward him in a natural and sensible way help him remember tor for he honestly needs your help and presently you will have the satisfaction of seeing that he has ac quiren the habit of reliability and accepts work as a pleasant and necessary part of normal living national kindergarten association service |