Instead of a direct attack, draw these girls into activities that
require them to act in close coöperation with other girls. Try committee
work.
“Gladys is sick with pneumonia. She can’t come to school for two weeks
yet. I want to appoint a committee of two to call on her and take her
some flowers. I’m going to appoint Eva and Annette for this work.”
Be sure to make combinations that promise enough congeniality to provide
at least a temporary friendship. Repeat the process very frequently, yet
avoid disclosing a purpose to disrupt the friendship of chums, for that
will excite antagonism and so spoil the whole plan.
Children are very jealous of their friendship, and delicate handling is
needed in order that no real injustice may be done them. Close
friendship is usually of great value and the growth of attachments
between children of the same sex is to be fostered.
The danger is in settling into grooves of thought that cramp the mind
and improverish it for lack of wide association. It is very clear that
the more human beings a person knows, the broader will be his
personality and the richer his information. Hence, teachers are
everywhere duty bound to democratize the life of their charges.