First Days With the Little Ones by Lula I. Tarbell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

First Days With the Little Ones

By Lula I. Tarbell

To a large degree the progress of a school year depends upon the success of the first few days. This is especially true of our primary schools; yet few teachers realize the importance of the first few days with the little ones.

Each year we meet children who come to school for the first time, and according to the great maxim,—“First impressions are the most lasting,”—the child receives an impression which may affect his whole life.

As a rule the teacher will find that she has two classes of children to meet on the first day of school,—those who are interested in school, and those who are not. First, there is the child who has been anxiously waiting for the morning when he can take his little book and pencil, and go with sister or brother to school,—school is his one joy, his one interest. The wise teacher will be sure to do her best to keep this interest, and, if she has accomplished this on the first day, she has taken a long step in the direction of a successful school year. In contrast with the child who looks forward with pleasure to school days, there may, perhaps, be present a few who are of the opinion that they will not like school, and possibly a boy or girl comes who has been almost compelled to be there. With these children the teacher requires far more tact than with the former, because here she must seek to arouse interest, when before she already had it. It is much harder to start a locomotive on its way than to keep it going after it is started. Interest is the oil which keeps the school work running easily. We must be sure that as teachers we do our best to get our children started on the right road to success by arousing interest the first few days of school.

“Me wants to tome to school, me do,” said a little four-year-old boy to me one day. His mother and sister tried to explain to him that he was not old enough; but I assured him that he might come with sister. Now I have a suggestion to offer about the little ones who want to come to school before it is time. Devote part of one afternoon in every month, or possibly every two months, to some pleasant and interesting work or exercise when the children of the school may bring their little brothers and sisters, who are so anxious to “tome to school.” If used in the right way, these days can be of material help to the primary teacher preparatory to first days with their beginners.

It is impossible to suggest a fixed rule by which every teacher may make a success of her first days of school work; but a few suggestions can be made which may be applied to the experienced teacher as well as the one who takes up her work for the first time. Arrive at your field of labor several days before school begins, thus giving you an opportunity to get the building, text-books, etc., in readiness. Visit the homes of the children; for if they see you all ready for work, it will be quite an

incentive to them to be ready. During these days arrange a definite program for yourself, which doubtless must be only temporary; but it will be needed in the beginning, although subject to much change. On the first day of school go first to the Source of all wisdom for instruction, believing that he alone can give you success, then go ahead. Be at school early, and do not forget to take with you a pretty potted plant or a bouquet; for the children will soon become interested in the flowers, if they see you are. Be prepared to give the day to the children: be sure to be ready with a game to suggest; have a ball near at hand, for all children like various games of ball. As you go to the playground, enter into the games with the children; for in doing this you are paving the way to most pleasant and profitable recesses. Follow your program as closely as possible; but be sure above all things to keep the little ones employed. It will be necessary to have much busy work prepared before hand, as this work is more helpful during these first few days than after the children get into their regular studies.

A teacher once told me that she always had a chair near her in which she imagined one of the children's parents was seated as a guest, thus helping her to do her best. Our best can be done and success be ours in knowing that the angels of heaven are with us, and in remembering our greatest of aims,—character building for eternity. LULA I. TARBELL.