Abbott, J. – Gentle Child Training

Gentle Child Training
Gentle Measures in the Management and Training of the Young
By Jacob Abbott, 1871

The principles on which a firm parental authority may be established and maintained, without violence or anger, and the right development of the moral and mental capacities be promoted—by methods in harmony with the structure and the characteristics of the young mind.




CONTENTS of Gentle Child Training

Section 1

1. Three Modes of Management
2. What Are Gentle Measures
3. There must Be Authority
4. Gentle Punishment of Disobedience
5. The Philosophy of Punishment

Section 2

6. Rewarding Obedience
7. The Art of Training
8. Methods Exemplified
9. Della and the Dolls
10. Sympathy—the Child with the Parent
11. Sympathy—the Parent with the Child

Section 3

12. Commendation and Encouragement
13. Page Faults of Immaturity
14. The Activity of Children
15. The Imagination in Children
16. Truth and Falsehood
17. Judgment and Reasoning
18. Wishes and Requests

Section 4

19. Children’s Questions
20. The Use of Money
21. Corporal Punishment
22. Gratitude in Children
23. Religious Training
24. Conclusion

WARNING: I got this book from our friends at GraceGems.org, and I agree with their warning on this book, so I will repeat it below.

Warning! There is much in this book that we do not agree with–as some of its teachings are unbiblical. Most conspicuously absent from the book, is the biblical mandate of the use of the rod in training children. “The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Proverbs 13:24. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15. “Therod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.” Proverbs 29:15. Nevertheless, there is great value in the book, in that it does contain some excellent insights into the mind of a child; and many helpful and practical suggestions on how to gently train children, once parental authority is firmly in place. Read with caution!