Carl Weter is an ordinary priest with his own distinctive characteristic and opinion. His thought about education had produced a great impact on the people. After his child was born, he got so troubled as the people thought that his child was an idiot. Even his wife never gave any hope on their child. But still he educated his child whole heartily, and when his child was around 8 or 9, he managed to communicate in 6 different countries’ languages. Other than that, he was also very good at Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry and Math. He attended university at 9, shown his Mathematics theory at 14, and he was given a PhD in law, and was even asked to be a professor in the University of Berlin. Then he went to Italy, and became a world expert on Dante (On misunderstanding of Dante was written by him) when he was 23.

We wouldn’t even believe that this could happen now, from a well known idiot kid becoming a knowledgeable genius, not to mention this was 200 years back then.

There are many parents who have been teaching their kids from their early ages. But some of them just want their kids to skip a couple of standards as if it was the genuine way to show that they’re very intelligent. The quality of life should be well balanced. If we only focus on nurturing their intelligence, we would probably neglect their emotional growth. Then the kids would end up being friends only with books and not the other human beings. The most important thing to do is how to be a proper person, then what we do follows behind it, and nurturing their intelligence is just the third action to do. We should never switch any of the steps.

The secret of education is to summon the children’s interest

Carl Weter thought that he shouldn’t teach his child in an old fashion way, but to gather his child’s interest. And then he would teach his child according to his interest, which happens to be quite suitable for him.
(For example: Carrying out a meaning of the Gosho through a game)
Every time we organize a trip, we should ask the kids to jot down what they observed so that they could tell what they saw to their parents. Thus, we have to be with them through their discovery to guide them and let them learn from what they see. We have to open up their perception and carefully hunt for chances to enrich their heart. This is what we call a meaningful trip.

Teaching the kids to pace vigorously towards the good

Carl Weter prepared a “behavior record” for his kid. Every time he did a good deed, Carl would record it in the book. His son was actually motivated to do even more good deeds as he had this record book as an encouragement. Thus, he would be praised whenever he did something good. But this was done carefully so that his son wouldn’t feel too proud.

What motivated him most is that he took the good deeds as his own happiness, so every time he did something good, he created a joyful moment. His aim was “Education could bring happiness to us, whereas good deed could grant us award from the sky.” Thus, he could obtain something while he learns well. But it’ll all be gone when he did something wrong.

It is quite often that he would tell his dad: “Daddy, I’ve done something wrong today, so I wouldn’t take the money.” Speaking of money, how did he use his money back then? He’d use the money to buy some books, and would probably buy some presents for the poor family when it’s a festive season. He would even help out the other people under hardship.


President Ikeda’s guidance
We should always tell our kids sincerely: “You must be responsible for your action as this helps you build up your character. Everything starts from the first step. You must vigorously move this meaningful step of yours. You must all march towards your future life while you’re still young.”

The children’s hearts are very pure and innocent. They’d quietly listen and observe every single word and action from their mother and the people around them. This is very shocking, that once it’s carved in their hearts, this will be the way they distinguish good and bad in life.

“Through praising their good points” and “let them understand their weak points that they need to overcome” – When these two factors combine together, the people could then unleash their potentials very well.

To praise and to sweet-talk is not the same. Praising could unleash possibilities. The energy will only comes when a person realize his/her urge to accomplish a mission. It is our job to manipulate this energy. Similarly, to blame and to be angry at is not the same. Blaming is a persuasion and reminder. Those who only know how to be angry at their kids would most probably eradicate their children’s energy. This is one silly act. To praise and to blame always surrounds our intentions for the children’s own good.

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