(5) _Habit formation._ The two physical conditions necessary for habit formation, easily impressed brain cells, and activity making these impressions, are at their best during this period. Every time an act is performed, a nervous force passes through the brain, stimulating nerves and muscles to action, and leaving the trace of its passage. Each repetition of the action deepens the tracing, until little pathways are established, and the nervous force follows these naturally and involuntarily. Sooner than is realized the pathway is so deep that only by effort can a given thought or nervous stimulus express itself in any other way than by passing through the accustomed channels out into the old action,--and this is habit. The early stages are easy, usually unconscious, but any change when the path is deep and the cells hardened means greatest effort, and often unavailing struggle with self. The drunkard who in his sober moments implores the saloon-keeper to refuse him liquor, no matter how he may plead for it later, reveals the fact that habit or the tendency to follow the old brain paths may become stronger than desire and will and all outer human influence and incentives combined. Therefore the habit-forming period, when pathways may be traced in any direction, becomes one of the most responsible and wonderful of the life. Test Questions 1. What are some of the general characteristics of the Junior Age? The years included? 2. Name five specific characteristics of the Junior Age. 3. How does energy show itself at this time? 4. What are some of the signs of the social instinct? 5. What is the great purpose of that instinct? 6. How may hero-worship be used by the teachers? 7. What teaching material is peculiarly well suited to the memory-activity of this period? 8. What is the process by which habit is created? Test Questions for Review Lessons 1 to 5 1. Give several reasons why it is important for the Sunday-school teacher to know the pupil. 2. How may the teacher best come to know the pupil? 3. What are the special characteristics of children of the Beginners age? 4. How would you develop true faith in a child? 5. What is the difference between influence and precept? Illustrate both. 6. How would you guide a child's activity in the right direction? 7. What results may properly be looked for in the Beginners age? 8. What general difference is there between children of the Beginners and the Primary age? 9. Describe and illustrate perception, memory, and imagination. 10. What is the difference between children's and grown people's motives for service? 11. Mention several characteristics of the Junior age. 12. What is the social instinct, and how does it show itself? 13. What sort of teaching material is well adapted to the Junior age? Lesson 6 Junior Age (Concluded)