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The Child Over Five

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 18, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 57.

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The Child Over Five

THE child over five has arrived at a crisis in his moral development. He does not now feel as much as he thinks and reasons. His will has developed. Formerly he did not separate himself very materially from his home, his family, his toys, his food. Now he begins to realize that he is a distinct personality, able to act independently of those about him. He discovers that he can break a law if he wishes; he may wish to do this because he is curious to see how far his own will is able to carry him.
Unless we understand this mental change in the child, we shall find difficulty in understanding him at this period. He does the thing we told him not to do, smiling up at us mischievously all the time. He is testing his pygmy powers against the world of law and order about him.
Have faith in the little one at this transition period. Above all, have patience with him. If he has learned obedience up to this point, through a daily routine of physical care, he will pass this period of revolt safely. To obey will have become a habit.
A help, though, will be to lead the child to a more reasoning view of obedience. Tell him a little of the laws of the city, State, and country; who make them, and why; and how they are enforced. Tell him frankly some of the results to the individual of law breaking, not terrifying him by visions of prisons and confinement, but helping him to realize that law breaking brings its own penalties, merited and unavoidable. In this connection it will be wise to show the child that he is being asked to keep the laws of the home to which all his family are as obedient as he is asked to be. These family laws include cleanliness, promptness, helpfulness, and thought for the comfort and the feelings of others. So many children never realize that mother and father have to "mind" just as they do. To realize this puts into the difficult phase of home discipline a feeling of "together" that often wins the battle for the right.—Selected.