CULTURE AND TRAINING OF CHILDREN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 107, 10 September 1873, Page 3

CULTURE AND TRAINING OF CHILDREN.

Db. Hbnby PrJ5 Citayasse, of Birmingham, hag lately published a work on the “ Mental Culture and Training of a Child.” Tho following extracts will be road with interest, by mothers :

■CHIKDLIKB CHILD. A child should bo a child—ohiildlke. It is a disgusting sight to see, as we often do, little children made men and women of, and instructed in worldly lore, in worldly policy, and in worldly wisdom. The tune -will come—‘alas! too soon—when they will be no longer children, when the world’s mildew will taint their pure minds and blot their spotless innocence. The evil day should be put off as long as possible, and not hastened on, aa it now frequently is. A maiiish boy—a mam before his time, one who gives himself Jho airs and consequences of a man, who apea too maa—is a melancholy object, a disgusting little creature, and is disagreeable to everyone connected with him.

CEOSS CHXJxD. When a child is unusually naughty and nrosg the chances are that ho is not well, anti instead of punishing him by keeping him at home with his lessons, lot him have a run and a romp -oat of doors, and, if possible, in the green fields. Xho ezercieo, fresh air, the sweet smelling turf, and amusement, will generally drive away all irritability of temper, provided there be nothing seriously the -matter with him ; if there he anything the matter with him, medical aid should at once be sought. If a child be cross, ton to -one his stomach is-out of order; for, if bo be woll.it is not natural for him to be cross. A mother should look to it and see if she can find out tho cause, and ascertain whether he has oaten anything that has disagreed with him. A mother should remember as a rule, that the three boat remedies for a cross child, whose illhumour is owing to a disordered stomach—arc (I) care ia diet, (2) fresh air, and (3) exercise-—nature’s physic A good stomach and a good temper are usually Inseparable friends not only in a child, but in every one besides ! If a ohild be cross, try and find out tho cause, and then apply the remedy j but do not add fuel to the fire, by aggravating his crossness—by being cross yourself $ or if you do,

“ You mb the sore. When you should bring the plaster.” — Shakespeare, DBCBTVIN& A CHILD. _ Never deceive your child ; if you once do ho w ill never believe you again ; and mischief will be done, which years will not repair. Some silly motherspromisetheir cbildronanything and everything “to make them good.” (Heaven help the mark !) ; never meaning for one moment to fulfil their promise ; indeed, in some instances it would bo fully impossible for them to do so 3 Now all this is the quintessence of folly ! Be cautious, then, ia making promises to your child; bat, having once promised, perform it to tho very letter, for g ohild is quick in observing and remembering. Let your word to your child be your bond. Let your child in after life be able to say r l£ Although tho world has oft, my mother has never deceived me! ” Verily, a truthful mother is a blessing to her child!

IMPEETtNBKOE. A child ought never to be allowed to bo importinent to bis mother. If ho over be inclined to be so it should bo instantly checked. He should be taught to look upon his mother as a superior being—as ono that it would be a kind of sacrilege to say a saucy word to. A child, then, must be made to reverence his mother. How true is the old saying that “ familiarity breeds contempt i " this old saw ia particularly applicable in the relations of a child towards his motbc-.