Raw Uncorrected AI Transcription
coerced into taking a more active part. Personal self-government and self-control must be learnt before communal self-government and self- control can become effective. During tbe years four to fourteen, tbe years spent at tbe Caldecott Community, tbe child is passing from tbe complete dependence of infancy to tbe more or less complete independence of adolescence. Tbis transition is beset by many difficulties. Tbe child may refuse to emerge from bis position of dependence, and become ultra-suggestible ; or be may cbafe at tbe necessary restrictions of authority, and develop a compensatory rebel tendency. Jack is an instance of tbe ultra-suggestible. Tbe sensitiveness tbat makes bim able to see and draw beautiful things, makes him timid in tbe face of disapproval. Once when asked whether be bad done a certain thing or not, be replied desperately, “ I don’t know whether you want me to say Yes or No.” Of course, tbis cannot be regarded as mere ordinary untrutbfulness. All sense of truth is swamped in tbe desire to propitiate authority. Rose, on tbe other band, is a typical rebel. To her tbe merest bint of authority is as a red rag to a bull. Mediocrity is intolerable to Rose, she must be tbe centre of attraction, whether of admiration or tbe reverse matters little. She is above all things a sensation- monger, and is constantly acting a double part, one half of her personality complacently applauding tbe antics of tbe other half. By opening up opportunities for real independence and self- expression, and by encouraging tbe child to consider, to weigh, and ultimately to accept a certain reasonable authority in tbe interests of society at large, tbe Caldecott Community seeks to pave tbe way to a true independence and personal self-government.