The father’s opportunity comes especially with the boys.  They are sure to bring to him their ethical questions on games and sport; he knows more about boys’ fights and struggles than does the mother.  When the boys begin to discuss their games the father cannot afford to lack interest.  Trivial as the question may seem to be, it is the most important one of the day to the boy and, for the interests of his character, it may be the most important for many a day to the father.  If he answers with sympathy and interest this question on a “foul ball” or on marbles or peg-tops, he has opened a door that will always stay open so long as he approaches it with sincerity; if he slights it, if he is too busy with those lesser things that seem great to him, he has closed a door into the boy’s life; it may never be opened again.  Children learn life through the life they are now living.  Real preparation for the world of business and larger responsibilities comes by the child’s experiences of his present world of play and schooling and family living.  To help him to live this present life aright is the best training that can be given for the right living of all life.

Questions on organized religion:  As children grow up, the church comes into their range of interests.  Just as they often make the day school focal for conversation, as they recount their day’s work there, so they retain impressions of the church school, of the services of the church, and will always ask many questions about this institution and its observances.  Here is the opportunity, in free conversation, to tell the child the meaning of the church, the significance of membership therein, and to lead him to conscious relationship to the society of the followers of Jesus. (See chap. xvii, “The Family and the Church.”)

     I. References for Study

     Alice E. Fitts, “Consciousness of God in Children,” The Aims of
     Religious Education, pp. 330-38.  Religious Education Association,
     $1.00.

     W.G.  Koons, Child’s Religious Life, sec.  II.  Eaton & Mains,
     $1.00.

     J. Sully, Children’s Ways, chap. vi.  Appleton, $1.25.

     II.  Further Reading

     George Hodges, The Training of Children in Religion, chaps. i-vi. 
     Appleton, $1.50.

     George E. Dawson, The Child and His Religion, chap. ii.  The
     University of Chicago Press, $0.75.

     Edward Lyttleton, The Corner-Stone of Education, chap. viii. 
     Putnam, $1.50.

     T. Stephens (ed.), The Child and Religion.  Putnam, $1.50.

     C.W.  Richell, The Child as God’s Child.  Eaton & Mains, $0.75.

     W.G.  Koons, The Child’s Religious Nature.  Eaton & Mains, $1.00.

     III.  Topics for Discussion

     1.  What are the special difficulties which you feel about
     introducing the topic of religion to children?  Describe any methods
     or modes of approach which have seemed successful?