Methods of Teaching
23
Make Lessons Short and Interesting—When parents thoroughly
act their part, giving them line upon line, and precept upon precept,
making their lessons short and interesting, and teaching them not only
by precept but by example, the Lord will work with their efforts and
make them efficient teachers
“Say It Simply; Say It Often.”—Those who instruct children
should avoid tedious remarks. Short remarks and to the point will
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have a happy influence. If much is to be said, make up for briefness
by frequency. A few words of interest, now and then, will be more
beneficial than to have it all at once. Long speeches burden the small
minds of children. Too much talk will lead them to loathe even spiritual
instruction, just as overeating burdens the stomach and lessens the
appetite, leading even to a loathing of food. The minds of the people
may be glutted with too much speechifying
Encourage Independent Thinking—While the children and
youth gain a knowledge of facts from teachers and textbooks, let
them learn to draw lessons and discern truth for themselves. In their
gardening, question them as to what they learn from the care of their
plants. As they look on a beautiful landscape, ask them why God
clothed the fields and woods with such lovely and varied hues. Why
was not all colored a somber brown? When they gather the flowers,
lead them to think why He spared us the beauty of these wanderers
from Eden. Teach them to notice the evidences of everywhere mani-
fest in nature of God’s thought for us, the wonderful adaptation of all
things to our need and happiness
Direct Childhood Activity—Parents need not feel that it is neces-
sary to repress the activity of their children, but they are to understand
that it is essential to guide and train them in right and proper directions.
These active impulses are like the vines, that, if untrained, will run over
every stump and brush, and fasten their tendrils upon low supports. If
the vines are not trained about some proper support, they waste their
energies to no purpose. So it is with children. Their activities must be
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trained in the right direction. Give their hands and minds something to
do that will advance them in physical and mental attainments
13
The Signs of the Times, August 13, 1896
.
14
Testimonies For The Church 2:420
.
15
Education, 119
.
16
The Signs of the Times, August 13, 1896
.