720 IU>AKI> OF AGKICUI.TUKK. 



IXFLUENCK OF HOME SI'UHorNI )I N(;S. 



HV MISS GRACE VAUGHT, SHELBYVILLE. 



IKead before the SholHy County FarmerF' Institute. I 



A child, a clmnu'lcoii and fabric in a dyer's vat arc all similar in ono 

 rcspi^ct and that is they ri'llcct tlu> color of their surroundings. By nature 

 we know the character of a child is neither wicked nor virtuous. It is 

 just innocent. Its (ondnct is affected either by good or bad envii'onmeuts. 

 Tlie first thing of iniportance is to form correct habits and this can only 

 be accomiilished by setting forth right ideals. There are three .sets of 

 habits to be guarded— physical, intellectual and moral. Habit is the cou- 

 tfition of mind and ImkIv tending to unconscious repetition of acts. If a 

 thought impulse moves outward along certain nevres and is manifested 

 In action of certain muscles these nerves will more readily carry and these 

 muscles more readily respond to some kind of thought impulse the second 

 time than other nerves and muscles. 



All forces move in direction of least resistance. We may compare 

 lines of habit in child to channel of stream. It is evident that water will 

 tlow in course offering least resistance. By changing the course it can 

 be made to better benefit man. Similarly thought impulses in child will 

 form paths from I)rnin and \vill l)e expressed in action, but controlled and 

 directed would tind better forms of living. The study of children should 

 l)egin in the home. Mothers have best opportunities for observation and 

 record of growth in body and mind of children. If a child shows a pref- 

 erence foi- a line of reading or work give him books and help him so that 

 he may develop a strong individualitj'. If they choose some kind of work 

 that is honorable do not oppose what nature has grained in them lest you 

 make a failure out of them and disappoint yourself. 



The environments of home are chief factors in training the aesthetic 

 and ethical emotions. Teach them to appreciate the beautiful in nature, 

 art and literature. The vicious and exciting literature circulated in the 

 country does much towards inciting the young mind to degradation. In 

 some homes parents read this trasli and permit their children to read it. 

 I'ictures as well as books should ))e destroyed that border on obscenity. 

 Do your duty to the child and if ho fails you have consciousness of having 

 done right. To the ch'ld of such parents I would say form the habit of 

 obedience. An oijcdient child honors its father and mother and will grow 

 into a law-abiding citizen. At present there seems to be a growing lack 

 of respect for national authority. Some say this is traceable to the 

 liberty of home and school. In one of the leading journals of America 

 appeared, not long ago, an article emphasizing the decay of home author- 

 ity. The conduct of our young people has been such as to win us the 



