The principles on which a firm parental authority may be established and maintained, without violence or anger, and the right development of the moral and mental capacities be promoted by methods in harmony with the structure and the characteristics of the juvenile mind.

“It is not impossible that in the minds of some persons the idea of employing gentle measures in the management and training of children may seem to imply the abandonment of the principle of authority, as the basis of the parental government, and the substitution of some weak and inefficient system of artifice and manoeuvring in its place. To suppose that the object of this work is to aid in effecting such a substitution as that, is entirely to mistake its nature and design. The only government of the parent over the child that is worthy of the name is one of authority—complete, absolute, unquestioned authority. The object of this work is, accordingly, not to show how the gentle methods which will be brought to view can be employed as a substitute for such authority, but how they can be made to aid in establishing and maintaining it.” -Jacob Abbott

“Jacob Abbott is well known to American readers; he is a leader and prince among writers for young people. In the many admirable and successful books which he has prepared for them, he shows clearly enough his acquaintance with child nature and childhood’s needs. In a work from him on the management and training of the young, we would expect good, sound sense, well-considered principles, and practical methods. And here we have them. The book lays down the principles on which a firm parental authority may be established and maintained, without violence or anger, and the right development of the moral and mental capacities be promoted by methods in harmony with the structure and the characteristics of the juvenile mind. ‘Gentle Measures’ with this author, do not mean easy or timid indulgence, but only enforce the old adage of government…gentleness in the methods, but firmness in the purpose. It is a book that will abundantly repay a careful study.” -The Ladies' Repository

“For considerably over half a century Mr. Jacob Abbott has devoted a busy life to the education of the young – part of the time as a teacher, more of the time by his pen. The final result of these years of experience, hitherto given in fragmentary form in fiction, he has embodied in ‘Gentle Measures in the Management and Training of the Young.’ We regard it as one of the very best, if not the very best work of his hands….It deserves to constitute a standard work on education, and adds much to the already large debt which the community owes to the author.” -Harper's New Monthly Magazine

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. THREE MODES OF MANAGEMENT

CHAPTER II. WHAT ARE GENTLE MEASURES?

CHAPTER III. THERE MUST BE AUTHORITY

CHAPTER IV. GENTLE PUNISHMENT OF DISOBEDIENCE

CHAPTER V. THE PHILOSOPHY OF PUNISHMENT

CHAPTER VI. REWARDING OBEDIENCE

CHAPTER VII. THE ART OF TRAINING

CHAPTER VIII. METHODS EXEMPLIFIED

CHAPTER IX. DELLA AND THE DOLLS

CHAPTER X. SYMPATHY:—I. THE CHILD WITH THE PARENT

CHAPTER XI. SYMPATHY:—II. THE PARENT WITH THE CHILD

CHAPTER XII. COMMENDATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT

CHAPTER XIII. FAULTS OF IMMATURITY

CHAPTER XIV. THE ACTIVITY OF CHILDREN

CHAPTER XV. THE IMAGINATION IN CHILDREN

CHAPTER XVI. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD

CHAPTER XVII. JUDGMENT AND REASONING

CHAPTER XVIII. WISHES AND REQUESTS

CHAPTER XIX. CHILDREN'S QUESTIONS

CHAPTER XX. THE USE OF MONEY

CHAPTER XXI. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

CHAPTER XXII. GRATITUDE IN CHILDREN

CHAPTER XXIII. RELIGIOUS TRAINING

CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION