Colonial Life in New Hampshire

It is the belief of the author that the aim of all teachers of history should be to cultivate and foster in the minds of children a fondness for historical reading, rather than the mere memorizing of historical facts. In order to best accomplish this purpose, the child’s interest should first be awakened by the historical associations of places with which he is familiar. He should be told the legends and stories of the town or city in which he lives, and at the same time carefully led to see their connection with the broader historical life of the country. Following the stories of local interest, the early history of the colony, with its accounts of the struggles and hardships endured by the early settlers, should be developed. This method will tend not only to broaden and intensify the child’s interest in historical reading, but will give to him some conception of the value of his birthright as an individual of the state and of the nation.