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Literary
October 30, 1928
The Siftings Herald
Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
In 'Raising His Standards,' Agnes Lyne discusses common parental errors in praising children: excessive adoration leading to stagnation, or overly critical standards causing discouragement. She advises praising achievements progressively to encourage higher standards, using examples like a child's first sawing and crafting.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the 'Guiding Your Child' advice column across adjacent columns, text flows directly from one to the other.
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Full Text
Guiding Your Child.
RAISING HIS STANDARDS
By Agnes Lyne
Parents are so eager to have their children do well that they often fall into one of two errors.
The too adoring parent is so eager to be proud of his child that he praises lavishly everything his child makes and does. His feeblest gesture in the right direction is rated as accomplishment. At the age of seven he is still painting the vague daubs he painted in the kindergarten. He is resting on the laurels which he won by first success in holding a brush. He is satisfied to repeat over and over the thing which was fine only the first time he did it.
Another parent praises his child only when he comes up to some very definite standard of achievement. Such a youngster is likely to become discouraged by his inevitable and frequent failures. If he brings home a boat he made at school his father
at once points out that it is just a flat piece of wood and not like a real boat at all. Nothing could be more crushing to his joy in work and his drive toward further achievement.
How shall we know when to praise and how to praise? How shall we keep our child happy in his work and yet make him strive always toward a higher standard of achievement?
If, for example, Ben at the age of six has never handled a saw, it is enough that he can saw a board in two and can make a miraculous little mound of saw dust. So much new power may well satisfy him for a few weeks. But after a while, if he does not do it of his own accord, he should be urged to make something with the wood he saws. His first effort, no matter how crude, should be praised wholeheartedly. But soon he must outgrow his satisfaction with his train that is just two chunks of wood. He is ready to do better.
It is wise to praise the achievement rather than the child himself.
RAISING HIS STANDARDS
By Agnes Lyne
Parents are so eager to have their children do well that they often fall into one of two errors.
The too adoring parent is so eager to be proud of his child that he praises lavishly everything his child makes and does. His feeblest gesture in the right direction is rated as accomplishment. At the age of seven he is still painting the vague daubs he painted in the kindergarten. He is resting on the laurels which he won by first success in holding a brush. He is satisfied to repeat over and over the thing which was fine only the first time he did it.
Another parent praises his child only when he comes up to some very definite standard of achievement. Such a youngster is likely to become discouraged by his inevitable and frequent failures. If he brings home a boat he made at school his father
at once points out that it is just a flat piece of wood and not like a real boat at all. Nothing could be more crushing to his joy in work and his drive toward further achievement.
How shall we know when to praise and how to praise? How shall we keep our child happy in his work and yet make him strive always toward a higher standard of achievement?
If, for example, Ben at the age of six has never handled a saw, it is enough that he can saw a board in two and can make a miraculous little mound of saw dust. So much new power may well satisfy him for a few weeks. But after a while, if he does not do it of his own accord, he should be urged to make something with the wood he saws. His first effort, no matter how crude, should be praised wholeheartedly. But soon he must outgrow his satisfaction with his train that is just two chunks of wood. He is ready to do better.
It is wise to praise the achievement rather than the child himself.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Parenting
Praise
Child Achievement
Standards
Encouragement
What entities or persons were involved?
By Agnes Lyne
Literary Details
Title
Guiding Your Child. Raising His Standards
Author
By Agnes Lyne
Subject
Advice On Praising Children To Encourage Achievement
Key Lines
The Too Adoring Parent Is So Eager To Be Proud Of His Child That He Praises Lavishly Everything His Child Makes And Does.
Another Parent Praises His Child Only When He Comes Up To Some Very Definite Standard Of Achievement.
It Is Wise To Praise The Achievement Rather Than The Child Himself.