Frequently, however, it is not
so much overwork as overworry that most affects the health of the
child,--that worry which may not always be traced to any fault of system
or teacher, but which, it must be admitted, is too often induced by
encouraging wrong motives to study.
"In making up the verdict we must not forget that others besides the
teacher may be responsible for overwork and overworry. The parents and
pupils themselves are quite as often to blame as are the teachers. An
unwillingness on the part of pupils to review work imperfectly done, and
a desire on the part of parents to have their children get into a higher
class, or to graduate, frequently cause pupils to cram for examinations
and to work unduly at a time when the body is least able to bear the
extra strain. Again, children are frequently required to take extra
lessons in music or some other study at home, thus depriving them of
needed exercise and recreation, or exhausting nervous energy which is
needed for their regular school work.
"It will be observed that in this charge against parents I do not speak
of those causes of ill health which really have nothing to do with
overwork, but which are oftentimes forgotten when a school-boy or girl
breaks down. I allude to the eating of improper and unwholesome food, to
irregularity of eating and sleeping, to attendance upon parties and
other places of amusement late at night, to smoking, and to the
indulgence of other habits which tend to unduly excite the nervous
system.
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