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Chapter 32—Preparation
The child’s first teacher is its mother. During the period of
greatest susceptibility and most rapid development the little one’s
education is to a great degree in her hands. To her first is given
opportunity to mold the character for good or for evil. She should
understand the value of her opportunity, and, above every other
teacher, should be qualified to use it to the best account. Yet the one
whose influence in education is most potent and far-reaching is the
one on whom the least systematic effort is focused.
Too often those to whom the care of the little child is committed
are ignorant of its physical needs. They know little of the laws of
health or the principles of development. Nor are they better fitted
to care for its mental and spiritual growth. They may be qualified
to conduct business or to shine in society, they may have made
creditable attainments in literature and science, but of the training
of a child they have little knowledge. Chiefly because of this lack,
especially because of the early neglect of physical development, a
large proportion of the human race die in infancy, and of those who
reach maturity many find life but a burden.
On fathers as well as mothers rests a responsibility for the child’s
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earlier as well as its later training. For both parents the demand
for thorough preparation is most urgent. Men and women should
become acquainted with the laws of physical development—with
physiology and hygiene, with the bearing of prenatal influences,
with the laws of heredity, sanitation, dress, exercise, and the treat-
ment of disease. They should also understand the laws of mental
development and moral training.
The Infinite One has counted this work of education so important
that messengers from His throne have been sent to a mother-to-be
to answer the question, “How shall we order the child, and how
shall we do unto him?” (
Judges 13:12
, KJV), and to instruct a father
concerning the education of a promised son.
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