3.6.4 The Method of Substitution

Because of the fact that some stimuli inevitably lead to discomfort and disaster—that some conduct is bad—there is need of a method of substitution. The child’s mind needs to be led from the contemplation of an undesirable course of action to something quite different.

Frequently a child cannot be satisfied with a mere denial, and circumstances may not be favorable to punishment—yet the correction must be made. Substitution is the avenue of escape. A striking illustration in point occurred recently in a cafe in Montana.

A trio of foreigners, father, mother, and two-year-old son, came in and sat down at one of the tables. Soon after the parents began to eat, the child caught sight of a little silver pitcher for which he began to beg. Whining and crying, mixed in with the begging, created a good bit of disturbance.

The only attempted solution on the part of the parents was a series of: “Don’t do that!” “No! no!” “Keep quiet, Marti!” a continued focusing of the child’s attention on what he ought not to do, and an added note to the disturbance.

Then an American across the aisle having surveyed the situation took out of his pocket a folder full of brightly colored views. The charm worked beautifully—the meal went on free from disturbance—and the child was happy.

This method involves a good bit of resourcefulness, calling at times for what seems an impossible amount of ingenuity. As someone has said, “It is beating the other fellow to it.” It merits the consideration of those who have to handle boys and girls who are regularly up to “stunts.”

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