By the Sisters of the Society St. Pius X

The calling of an educator is the most beautiful, but without a doubt also the most difficult. It means making of the child, so inclined to satisfy his little instincts and passions, a child of God, reflective and reflecting, who finds his joy in imitating his Father: Truth, Beauty, and Eternal Perfection. Here is a beautiful program, which should begin from the youngest age.

We can say that the human soul resembles a ski course: at the start, it is uneven, bumpy…but the more one passes over it, the more it becomes smooth, to the point where one can glide without even looking for it. It is the same for our actions: the more we accomplish something, the more we get used to it, and the easier it becomes, without effort.

We have noticed that the children who are quick to fool around are often the children who are not sufficiently occupied. Certainly, the occupation ought to be suitable for their age! It seems that from the age of two years old they can “help Mother tidy the bedroom or the toy chest” in order to then do it all by themselves, “like the big kids.” Order in their belongings has a great pedagogic value!

What Order Implies

Let us simply think how many notions this word implies: order is certainly to assure that nothing is left out, it is also a schedule in the day—that is to say punctuality—duties done without delay; it is also order in the relations with those around us, the respect of elders for example! The child who has taken the habit to be ordered in little exterior things will also show himself ordered in his interior, that is to say his character. One does not go without the other. He who keeps his desk in order, leaving only what he needs at the present for his assignments, who keeps his notebooks in order—clean and tidy—who keeps his clothes in order, his dresser, etc., that child’s soul is very likely ordered. Ordered within himself, in his little personal world; with others, who he respects and will never keep waiting; he is also ordered toward God. His thoughts do not wander, they are ordered… to God!

This child learns little by little from four or five years old: all his little belongings have their proper place, which he knows well, so that he could find them in the dark. Toys that are well put away in their chest (which is easier when there are not too many), clothes in the closet, crayons in their box, notebooks and books carefully stacked, what else is there?

There will be the advantage of not being irritated, neither the child nor Mother, in order to find a sock or a math assignment before leaving for school, and thus to lose neither time nor patience.

This also is part of the order of not hesitating to return lent items to their legitimate owner.

“That which is little, is little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing,” says Saint Augustine.

Thus habituated to order, our little Christian will be strong against his bad inclinations, which result from a disordered nature! He will not be superficial, inconstant; he will do his work completely. He will be joyful, because nothing delights the heart like having a peaceful and ordered conscience! Growing up, we will place confidence in him, because he will radiate exteriorly the interior order of his soul. He will not be precipitous or untidy; he will not forget his engagements…

Practical Application

Practically, how do we accomplish this? A psychologist has affirmed, “If you tell me something, I will certainly forget it; if you show me something, I will without doubt keep it in my memory; but let me do it, and it will be engraved in me.” Tidy his or her room with them, or put away their toys patiently, until they are able to do it themselves. It will not be perfect right away, but encourage them. Do not fall into the temptation to put things away for them, “because it is quicker.” They will no longer have the taste for work. If necessary, redo it with them and little by little it will come. With the love of order, they will also have acquired that of perseverance and of self-mastery.