TELEVISION Q. What is the effect of TV programs on the spiritual development of our children? A . 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 school teachers 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 their serving television.
understanding and working with chil dren of elementary school age, as well as with young people in high school. The title is, “Understanding Our Boys and Girls.” SUDDEN TROUBLE Q. Why, after 20 years of happy mar riage, does a Christian couple seem to be drifting apart, even considering divorce? A. There is seldom such a thing as sudden trouble if one considers the underlying causes. For instance, a per son may look perfectly healthy and suddenly have a serious illness. Actu ally, the conditions leading to the ill ness have taken considerable time to develop, even though the person may not have been aware of his condition. Likewise, a Christian couple may to all outward appearances seem to have an ideal marriage and suddenly friends hear that they are having serious trouble. The conditions which caused this upheaval may have been developing over a long period of time. Some of the reasons why Christians, after many years of marriage are having serious trouble are as follows: (a) the husband and wife may not have understood each other for years and have stopped confiding in each other, (b) they have not built their lives together around Christ and the family altar, (c) they may not have been sufficiently mature emotionally to talk over their problems without becoming involved and distressed, (d) they have not sought professional help. The best prevention Christians have for keeping out of the divorce courts is to keep their lives and fellowship centered in Christ. As soon as they begin to drift away from Him, their marriage is open to the undermining powers of Satan.
and development. I would appreciate your discussing this in your page, and also recommending a good book along this line. A . I certainly agree with you! One of the greatest joys in life is observing children enter various stages of de velopment. To work most effectively with a child, one must understand his i n dividual 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 develop mental sequences through which chil dren 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 “ There Are Your Children.” Realizing the great need in this field, I have written a booklet which parents and teachers might find val uable. 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) suggestions on how parents and teachers can work most effectively with boys and girls. It also includes case studies of chil dren with special problems. This one dollar printed booklet is concerned with practical helps for
UNDERSTAND BOYS AND GIRLS
Q. As a teacher training leader 1 be lieve that one of the greatest needs among our Sunday school teachers as w ell as our parents, is to have a better understanding of child growth
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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