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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.
information given in confidence is not to be divulged. Christians are frequently confided in. This places upon them a serious obligation of confidence and trust. Many people fail or succeed in life depending upon their discreetness in handling confidential information. Television Q —What is the effect of TV programs on the spiritual development of our children? The effect is probably much the same for adults as for children. Wherever I travel parents are con cerned about television. Children who are permitted to see any and all programs are fed an unwholesome worldly diet which can have a detrimental effect on them. Because television appeals through both sound and vision, it is a highly effective medium of communication. It is lamentable that there are so few good programs. Hundreds of schoolteachers say that children’s eyes are suffering from television viewing. I believe that many programs can have a bad effect on one’s emotional health. However, one of the greatest dan gers is that of robbing families from having good times together. When TV predominates, there is almost no time for family hobbies and fun or for visiting and family devotions. Our children are with us only a few short years and we should not let low-class TV programs rob us of our precious hours together. It seems to me that if you are a TV owner there is only one answer —reasonable control. Like many things in life, this new medium can be used for either good or evil. Families that control its use make television serve them, rather than they serving television. Understanding B oys and Girls Q —As a teacher training leader I believe that one of the greatest needs among our Sunday school teachers as well as our parents, is to have a bet ter understanding of child growth
Confidential Information q .—What makes a person want to pry into another person’s life and know all he thinks and does, then pass out this personal information to other people? There is a good discussion of busy- bodies in the fifth chapter of First Timothy. In the thirteenth verse of the chapter, God speaks out against such in the following words: “ And withal they learn to be idle, wander ing about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” It is clear from this portion of Scripture that at least one cause for meddling into others’ affairs is the lack of spirituality. Busybodies, if Christians, are nearly always shallow, superficial, carnal believers. I don’t believe I have ever known a mature, consecrated Christian who wanted to know the personal doings of others simply for the sake of gossip. Another cause is idleness. Human intellect and ability demand activity. We are happiest and most effective when we are busily engaged in some challenging project. People who are absorbed with their own work aren’t so interested in bearing tales about others. People who gossip, characteristical ly, have personality maladjustments. Whether consciously or not, this is their way of compensating for their inability to get along. For example, a person may not be liked or desired by others, so he resorts to getting personal information about people and passing it along. In this way he feels he has “ choice gossip” which will make him interesting to every one. Little do such tale bearers real ize that gossiping is not helping them to gain the status which they desire. One other cause of gossiping has to do with ethics. Some people lack training and education concerning ethical matters. Professionally trained people, as well as all who receive proper training in the home are taught the importance and sacredness of confidential information. Personal
and development. I would appreci ate your discussing this in your page, and also recommending a good book along this line. I certainly agree with you! One of the greatest joys in life is observ ing children enter various stages of development. To work most effectively with a child, one must understand his indi vidual pattern and rate of develop ment. For every child there is no doubt a period in his development when he can best succeed at any given activity. In other words, chil dren are physically, mentally and emotionally ready for developmental tasks at certain times. Wise teachers and parents take many of their cues from developmen tal sequences through which children are passing. To challenge a child at the time when he is approaching sufficient maturity to accomplish an activity of his own interest, may very well mean the difference between success and failure. As to books, there are a number of helpful publications which are avail able at secular book stores. Jenkins, Schacter and Bauer have written a rather comprehensive volume entitled These A re Your Children. Realizing the great need in this field, I have written a booklet which parents and teachers might find valu able. It is in outline, summary form. At each age level — kindergarten through high school —« it presents (a) physical growth characteristics, (b ) typical actions and reactions, (c) special needs, and (d) sugges tions on how parents and teachers can work most effectively with boys and girls. It also includes case-studies of children with special problems. This one dollar printed booklet is concerned with practical helps for understanding and working with chil dren of elementary school age, as well as with young people in high school. The title is, Understanding Boys and Girls. 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.
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NOV EM B E R , 1954
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