p. 22 | Parents' Meetings by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

Parents' Meetings

By F. G.

MANY. teachers fail in their work because they do not enter into sufficiently close and cordial relations with the parents. Many things are required of the children by the teachers, both in their studies and in discipline, which are not understood by the parents. As a consequence of this there is often a working at cross-purposes; and, while there may be no serious friction or ill feeling begotten, there fails to be that hearty co-operation which best advances the interests of the pupils. One of the best ways of securing this co-operation is by holding parents' meetings occasionally. The time of these meetings need not be occupied by the teacher, though she may have her part in them, but the program may consist of papers and talks by any who can present something of a helpful nature. Many parents have been teachers

and have good ideas concerning the training and rearing of children, not only in the home, but in the school.

These meetings may be made very profitable to both teachers and parents. Such questions may be considered as the Health of the Children; The Relation of the Schoolroom and the Home to Health; The Best Means of Creating in the Hearts of the Children a Love for the Missionary Work; What to Do with the Dull Child; How to Treat the Wayward Child; Modes of Correction of Wrongs in Children; in fact, there is hardly an end to the valuable questions which may be considered. Time might be given in these meetings for questions.

If everything is taken from the positive side, and there is an effort to avoid all questions which would engender strong differences, these meetings will certainly result in great benefit to the school work, and to the home work of our children. We live in a time when the hearts of the fathers and of the children are to be turned to each other, in a time when God's people should make a great endeavor to so educate their children that they may be a help to the cause of truth which we have espoused.

If these meetings are held once a month, and ample preparation is made for them, and thorough work done, they will certainly be an inspiration and a practical help to those who have to do with children.

F. G.