104 Heredity and Child Culture 



ag'Inings. Vague aspirations and a general 

 restlessness show the stirring of a new life in 

 the child's mind. Ideals begin to take strong 

 hold, and, although often crude, prophesy in a 

 general way the future bent of the character. 

 If any trait is entirely absent at this time, it 

 is not apt to be seen later in life. 



There is no period of life when careful and 

 sympathetic oversight and training are of such 

 importance. The emotional nature now be- 

 comes active, with varying phases and mani- 

 festations. Religious and moral questions may 

 assume importance, and it is the age of con- 

 version. 



Parents should study and guide these nascent 

 emotions so that they will assume a normal and 

 healthy form. This is especially important 

 when the child tends to be morbid and intro- 

 spective. A careful moral training is as im- 

 portant as that directed toward the physical and 

 mental natures. It is especially important to 

 teach the child that there is a difference between 

 real and imaginary conditions. An effort 

 should be made to convert introspection into 



