Little Tads

Little Tads By George P. Barber I found a tobacco can in my 3-year- old son's overall pocket today. Further search disclosed a package of cigarette papers. Of course I took them away from him, though he gave them up with reluctance. This afternoon he came downstairs with a smoking match in his mouth. I didn't need to ask him what he was do- ing; he volunteered the information. "Look, daddy, I'm smoking," he said, gleefully. I was amazed at the dexterity with which he handled the imitation cigar- ette. Evidently he had been studying some smoker care- fully. Bobbie has never seen me smoke, I don't in- dulge; but he has seen somebody go through the char- acteristic motions, and the sharp, bright eyes of these little youngsters of ours miss very little. And imita- tion with them is developed to an un- usual degree. Several days ago I felt it my duty to correct Bobbie for doing something of which I didn't approve. I was thun- derstruck when he used a profane word — an oath that I have often heard but have never used myself. Tonight I am seeking a solution of the vexing problem of how to break Bobbie my son of saying such things as "you big dumbbell'' and other more serious and even less elegant epithets. I am less in the dark as to how to proceed than I was earlier in the day, for as I passed my neighbor's house (where Bobbie plays) I heard a voice pipe up in a high treble, "You big dumb- bell." So I have a cue. The smoking habit is a common one in the neigh- borhood; therefore I can easily under- stand the origin of the smoking match. After pondering upon the problem, 1 am constrained to think that many grown people do not realize how ex- tremely imitative are children, or else they are grossly negligent of their duty, which con- sists in setting good examples. Children do not acquire habits of profanity, un- truthfulness, dis- obedience and un- desirable traits of themselves — they learn by example. As I am writing this, Bobbie sits with his legs crossed and his hands clasped in his lap. He is imitating the man from whom we buy milk. He wants to wear overalls because Harold, his chum, wears them. He wants a "big" dish of soup because his "daddy has one," and insists upon doing count-

398 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar.. 1929 less things in certain ways because he has seen them done in just those ways. I was surprised the other day to watch him peel an apple very dexterously, and deftly cut out the stem. I noticed the striking resemblance of his method to his mother's. My purpose in writing this article is not to advertise my son's cleverness. In common with all parents, I am ex- traordinarily fond of my boy, but I am nevertheless willing to admit that he is no smarter than other lads of his age. I am endeavoring to point out some truths, and am using the most convenient illustration as an example. It is my unqualified opinion that many things are going on in the heads of our youngsters of which we have little knowledge, and that we do not give them credit for half they know. Herein lies the essential weakness of our training. We do not start early enough and we do not understand our subjects as we should. We fail to realize how keen their eyes are, and how they treasure up every impression to spring them on us when we are off our guards. For they are also past masters of technique. They begin early and we must keep a safe distance ahead of them by starting earlier. In fact, it is never too early to begin. It is indeed a fascinating study — the development of the child's mind to successively higher and higher planes. Scientists tell us many things concern- ing the minds of children. There is yet much to be learned. To under- stand children, one must place one's self as nearly as possible upon an equal footing. I am convinced that one can- not reason from a lofty, abstract point of view in analyzing the juvenile mind. Constant contact and sympathy are essential to successful training. Little tads! How they worm their way into our hearts! I sometimes think we love them more for their faults than their virtues — if young- sters of such tender age can be said to have faults and virtues. At least we can understand, through a study of our children, why the Almighty gave weaknesses to those whom he created. But our parental duty consists in nip- ping the small offenses in the embry- onic bud and in having a wholesome respect for the juvenile brain, no mat- ter how juvenile it may be. O Man, Revere Your Heritage O man, revere your heritage. A child of God are you! Unto your royal parentage, You should be nobly true. Fling off the grasp of fettering things, From meagreness arise; Endeavor will lend you her wings. To soar to yonder skies. Provo. Utah Stoop not to strife, eschew all For you, the golden deed Awaits your cup of life to fill With Godship for its need! O man, revere your heritage, A child of God are you! Unto your royal parentage, You must be nobly true. ill; Grace Ingles Frost