I Oven...
Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
sessions with the consultant, they had achieved a very fine adjustment in their marriage. When the couple sailed to the mission field, the con sultant mailed them his first monthly check to assist in their support! Disturbed or Retarded? I am a Christian who operates a day nursery school for children. Oc casionally parents want to enroll a child who is evidently either very emotionally upset or who is mentally retarded. In my .experience I have found that it is hard to tell whether a child is so seriously upset and emotionally dis turbed that he cannot work or play at his normal level; or whether he is simply mentally slow. It is necessary that I have a hom ogeneous group, and y et I’d hate to turn away some emotionally disturbed child whom I could help. Is there any way I can determine , at the time parents seek to enroll such a child, between emotional dis turbance and mental retardation? It is not always easy to distinguish between one who is seriously dis turbed, and one who is mentally in capable. I knew a boy who was placed in a class for slow learning children. The new teacher found that the child was not mentally retarded, but rather, so emotionally upset that he appeared to be incapable. After the teacher had worked with the child and the parents for a year, the boy was given psychological tests, and his intelli gence was found to be normal. His IQ did not change, but his emotional handicap had been removed so that he was able to perform at his true normal level. Qualified psychologists have had the professional training and experi ence to give certain standardized in telligence tests and personality pro jective tests. They can give you de pendable information. .1 suggest that you refer students about whom you are doubtful, to a local psychologist. Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.— ED.
Should we change our minds? Why do you hesitate to change your minds? No doubt, if your boy needs a car and if you can afford one, he is justified in having it. In telligent parents are often required to change their minds. I suppose we all know instances in which boys should not have been given cars. However, in most such cases, the car was not necessary, and there was little or no supervision of its use. Christian young people can and do use their automobiles not only for school or employment transporta tion, but also for worthwhile Chris tian activities. W h y Bo They Get Divorces? W hy is it that couples who are in the 1 Lord’s work, divorce? Some say there are “ personality clash es” Oth ers say that the “ old man” is still there. This question may well apply also, to missionaries who have been forced to return to the United States. It seems to me that some couples marry out of the will of God. Those who do, are asking for trouble, and they usually get it. God’s teachings are clear along these lines. Some couples have no knowledge of reconciling their differences. There is really no such thing as a perfect relationship, because we are all hu man. Every successful marriage is marked by forthright discussions — opportunities to talk about differences, likes and dislikes, and contrasting backgrounds. I think you are right, in that Satan can also work havoc in our homes. It behooves each of us to stay close to the Lord and to seek His mind. Finally, some couples need pro fessional help. Those who need such counsel should not hesitate to seek it. I knew a fine, consecrated Chris tian man and his wife who had been married seven years and who were about ready to leave the United States for the mission field. They were very much in love, but there was a serious maladjustment in their marriage re lationship. After much prayer and discussion, they decided to see a mar riage relations consultant. This story had two happy endings. After six
Confidential Information Why won’t the public schools tell parents what their child’s IQ is? It is the policy of most schools not to reveal IQ scores to parents. This is considered confidential information to be used by those who are profes sionally trained to interpret such scores and who in turn, help the child make the best possible adjust ment and progress. Here are some reasons why IQ scores are not given to parents: (a) There is a possibility that certain scores may be inaccurate; (b) many parents would not treat the informa tion confidentially; (c) most children do not benefit from knowing their IQ scores; (d) undue emphasis might be placed on scores, rather than on the needs of the child; (e) the IQ gives only one indication of a child’s potential and his ability. There are many other important factors; scores in themselves are meaningless unless understood and carefully interpreted by those having knowledge of them. I think you will find that most teachers are happy to talk to parents about the child’s intellectual level. This is usually expressed in such terms as average, rapid learner, and slower learner. W on ’ t Study How can you help a child who seems to have ability, but refuses to study? I would have to know more about the child. Here are some questions you might ask yourself: (a) Are his studies appropriate to his mental lev el? (b) Are you giving him work which is interesting to him? (c) Are his assignments given to him in such a way that they are meaningful? (d) Is there routine in his study schedule? (e) What is your child’s physical condition? (f) Is he emo tionally upset about anything? (g) Does he receive sympathetic help from his family? Should W e Change Our Minds? Our sixteen-year-old boy ( almost seventeen) wants a car and we’ve always said, “No car until you’re eighteen.” Now his activities are such that it looks like he should have one.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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