While it seems easy to retain a picture of the face, yet the value of
the impression for quick and accurate recognition will depend upon the
observation of it. The games and exercises given in the first book
will have developed this faculty in the child, but you should call his
attention to the value of it here and urge the importance of making a
special effort with the faces of the people whom he meets.
After the person, to whom the child has been introduced, has gone,
see how much of a description he can give you of him. Help him to be
systematic in his observation. First, estimate his height, weight, and
general build. Second, tell the color of his hair, eyes and complexion;
size and shape of his nose, chin, etc. Third, how did the child like
him? Encourage him to form a definite conclusion as to just what kind
of a person the visitor is. This is important and will be helpful
later, but will need careful guidance in the formative years. Helps
which you can give in reading character should be imparted to the
child. Tell him all that you can of how you judge and estimate people,
encourage him to study this important subject as he grows older. There
are very helpful and scientific books available on this subject.
The ability to recognize and remember people, without regard to their
name, is based upon just this kind of an observation and study of them.
Observation is the resulting mental image after the removal of the
object from view. Your ability to observe people is measured by what
you can definitely recall about them when they are gone. Recognition
of them will be based upon the memory of just these points mentioned
and in turn the memory, of course, can be no more distinct than the
impressions made upon the brain while the person was before you.
Observation then is the basis for the recognition of people, and to
improve it is of utmost importance.