244
Child Guidance
The watchful teacher will find many opportunities for directing
pupils to acts of helpfulness. By little children especially the teacher
is regarded with almost unbounded confidence and respect. Whatever
he may suggest as to ways of helping in the home, faithfulness in the
daily tasks, ministry to the sick or the poor, can hardly fail of bringing
forth fruit. And thus again a double gain will be secured. The kindly
suggestion will react upon its author. Gratitude and co-operation on
the part of the parents will lighten the teacher’s burden and brighten
his path
Parents May Lighten the Teacher’s Work—If parents faithfully
act their part, the work of the teacher will be greatly lightened. His
hope and courage will be increased. Parents whose hearts are filled
with the love of Christ will refrain from finding fault and will do all
in their power to encourage and help the one whom they have chosen
as teacher for their children. They will be willing to believe that he is
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just as conscientious in his work as they are in theirs
When parents realize their responsibilities, there will be far less
left for the teachers to do
Parents May Be Counselors to the Teacher—We are to talk the
love of God in our homes; we are to teach it in our schools. The
principles of the Word of God are to be brought into the home and
school life. If parents fully understood their duty of submission to the
Lord’s revealed will, they would be wise counselors in our school and
in educational matters; for their experience in home training would
teach them how to guard against the temptations that come to children
and youth. Teachers and parents would thus become laborers together
with God in the work of educating the youth for heaven
The parents’ intimate knowledge both of the character of the chil-
dren and of their physical peculiarities or infirmities, if imparted to
the teacher, would be an assistance to him. It is to be regretted that
so many fail of realizing this. By most parents little interest is shown
either to inform themselves as to the teacher’s qualification, or to
co-operate with him in his work
11
Education, 213
.
12
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 157
.
13
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 148
.
14
Letter 356, 1907
.
15
Education, 284
.