(1) _Indifference due to lack of accord between school requirements and
instinctive interests._ Frequently, a teacher complains that certain
pupils can not be kept at work. This is due to indifference, and in some
instances affects an entire room or school. Often the physiological
conditions of the child or of the schoolroom are such as to make the
pupil dull. If a pupil is indifferent because of such conditions, it is
necessary to remove the defect. The parent must be enlisted. If this can
not be done, then the teacher must do the best that can be done to
interest the child. This may help, but it will not remove the condition
of indifference, for no one can manifest an interest in that which
surrounds him when his ailing body demands his attention.
If inattention or indifference is due to improper physical conditions of
the schoolroom, then the teacher must shoulder the blame. There is no
excuse for such conditions. The schoolroom must be properly heated. No
teacher should be so indifferent himself as to allow a room to become
too hot or stuffy when an open window or two would remedy either
condition. Ventilation is one of the most important features of
schoolroom sanitation. Study it carefully and then see that the
ventilation is as nearly perfect as it can be made. Even though there is
a janitor, by no means depend upon him entirely to care for the
ventilation; look after it personally.
Sometimes pupils may be indifferent because they fail to find enough in
their school work to interest them. When such is the case it is a
tell-tale condition, and means that the teacher is failing to do her
duty. It is not a difficult matter for a primary teacher to interest
every pupil. It is her business to see that the little ones have
something to do, and that that something shall interest them and advance
their development.
[Sidenote: Hates School]
The primary teacher is sometimes confronted by a pupil who does not like
to go to school. Even after several weeks, when the teacher believes she
has done all she can do to interest the child, he still insists he does
not like to go to school. What is worse, the dislike is growing and
retarding the child’s progress.
A procedure that has saved many a child that disliked the school is to
go to the parents and in a friendly way take up the matter. The teacher
should not try to evade the matter, but tell the mother plainly that the
child dislikes school, and assume that it may be the teacher’s fault.
The teacher should inform the mother that if she is at fault she would
consider it a great favor if the mother would tell her just where the
trouble lies. Assurance should be given that the teacher will be glad to
remedy any defects on her part. At this point the teacher must not fail
to approve of the child in any way she can. She should compliment the
work he has done, and point out what the possibilities are in the child.
The child’s deportment should be complimented also. No teacher knows
until she has tried what effect it may have upon a mother, especially if
she adds to her remarks, “I really like your little boy (or girl),” and
then states just why. Usually, this method will effect the remedy. When
the child learns from his mother of the teacher’s interest, he will look
upon the teacher as upon one who loves him.
The teacher should then make the most of the advantages gained by the
visit to the mother. Show the child every consideration in the
schoolroom. If he does not have his lessons as he should, there should
not be a word or sign of faultfinding. That would off-set all the good
done by the visit. Whatever the child does accomplish should be approved
and assistance given where needed.
Within a few days the teacher should make it her business to visit the
home again, and if the child has shown the slightest increase in
interest the teacher should very tactfully approve it. Care must be
taken not to overdraw the situation, since, to the parent, such
statements may seem to be false. No one knows a child’s likes and
dislikes better than the mother knows them.
(2) _Indifference due to parent’s attitude._ Sometimes the parents
themselves through suggestion unconsciously stimulate a feeling of
indifference on the part of the children which handicaps them throughout
all their school life.