3. Mental—Care against overstimulation. Interesting diaries of development. Coöperation between teacher and parent. Studying the child's individuality. Books for successive ages. Private versus public schools. What is an ideal education? Is it possible under ordinary conditions?
4. Moral and Religious—How are morals best taught? Books that help the parent and teacher. Individual problems (lying, etc.). Knowing our neighbors' children, their character and influence.
5. Practical Outcome—Mothers' clubs. Magazines of child culture. Increased place given to child life in the modern world. Are children too prominent in the home life?
Books to Consult—Mrs. M. F. Washburn: Study of Child Life. M. P. E. Groszmann: The Career of the Child. E. A. Kirkpatrick: Fundamentals of Child Study. W. B. Drummond: The Child, His Nature and Nurture.
The subject of mothers' congresses may be discussed: Are they practically helpful, or merely speculative? Present the topic of institutions for children, homes and asylums for orphans, for the blind, the crippled, the feeble-minded; also, children's courts and the Big Brother movement. Discuss at this meeting the question of adopting children.
CHAPTER XXII
Miscellaneous Programs
When clubs have serious subjects for their year's work, which require considerable reading and the writing of substantial papers, it gives variety to arrange the general program in such a way that a light program comes between two heavy ones; or at least to have every third meeting of quite different character from the rest.
Often clubs can invite a speaker from outside to take up most of the hour; a traveller, a settlement worker, a college professor, an actor, a journalist, a judge of a Children's Court, a student of bird life, all have something worth while to contribute. Perhaps a writer will read from his books; or a musician will sing or play, or an artist will tell of life in the ateliers of Paris or Rome. Even in a small town one can find some one who has a friend who will come and help in such ways, and there is no better way to rouse interest in a club than to offer such meetings occasionally.