[Sidenote: Dislike of School]
Mr. James was a teacher in a private school in Kentucky. He had one
third grade pupil who threatened to leave school. Mr. James could not
learn why, but decided he would visit the home. He took initiative and
told the pupil that he would spend Sunday in the home. While there he
said nothing about the child’s dislike for school, but tactfully
approved all his good traits. When the parent spoke of the child’s
dislike for school he remarked, “When he has gone a little longer, he
will like school so well you can’t coax him away.” Mr. James strove to
make himself genial and jovial in the home. He showed an interest in the
other children, in the home itself and in its activities, and he
captivated the child when he went out in the afternoon with the father
to look at the cows, horses, and swine, and to take a walk over the
farm. All the while he had the child by the hand and manifested no end
of pleasure in the farm products. The visit had the desired effect. The
child never again even hinted at a dislike of the school. He came
regularly and was one of the best pupils.