Home Occupations For Boys And Girls - free ebook by B. (Bertha) Johnston

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Home Occupations For Boys And Girls

B. (Bertha) Johnston

80 chapters

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HOME OCCUPATIONS

HOME OCCUPATIONS

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS BY BERTHA JOHNSTON EDITOR OF THE "KINDERGARTEN MAGAZINE" ASSISTED BY FANNY CHAPIN FORMER KINDERGARTEN DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO LATIN SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W. JACOBS &amp; CO. PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1908 By GEORGE W. JACOBS &amp; CO. Published October, 1908 All rights reserved Printed in U. S. A. Teach him. He is naturally clever. From his earliest years, when he was a little fellow only so big, he would build mud houses, carve out boats, and make little wagons of le

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PREFACE

PREFACE

The plan of this book has special reference to the Mother when comes the woful plaint, "I don't know what to do! Mama, what can I do now?" Is she busy in the kitchen? She has right there material for the little one's happy employment. Is she mending the stockings? She can give him needle and thread and, with the aid of this book, a word of suggestion. In spare moments both mother and children can together prepare papers, cards, etc., for future occasions. It will be found upon examination that a

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STRAWBERRY-BOXES

STRAWBERRY-BOXES

Seed-Markers ( No tools needed but the fingers ) Remove the rim of wood which binds the box into shape, that the little tacks may not injure the child. Then let him tear the sides and bottom into little slats which can be used as seed-markers. Older children can write upon them the names of seeds, and when planted put one of these slats into the ground to indicate where the seeds may be expected to come up. The little child enjoys the sense of power that he feels simply in being able to tear the

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PEAS

PEAS

Shelling Peas ( Tin pans ) Let the child help Mother to shell the peas for dinner. Children enjoy work of this kind when coöperating with the mother or father. They like to do what Mother is doing when she is doing it too. This will be an excellent time to tell Hans Andersen's story of the "Five Peas that Dwelt in a Pod". As a reward let the child plant a few peas in a box or out-of-doors. Pea-Pod Boat ( Pan of water , peapods ) Give a small child a dish-pan filled with water and a peapod for a

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POTATOES AND SQUASH

POTATOES AND SQUASH

Potato Horse ( Three potatoes , slender sticks or tooth-picks , raveled string or coarse black thread ) Take large potato for body of horse, a smaller one for the neck, and another for the head. Join them with sticks broken to convenient length. Four other sticks make the legs, two little ones the ears and the string or thread the flowing tail. The tail can be attached to a tack or pin and inserted. Squash or Sweet Potato Animals ( Crooked-neck squash or sweet potato for each animal , slender st

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CORN HUSKS—GREEN

CORN HUSKS—GREEN

Mat ( Husks , needle , thread ) Take four smooth husks and press between blotting paper for 24 hours. Then tear into ¼ inch strips. Lay eight of these on the table. Take eight more and weave these under and over the first eight, making mat for doll-house. Put again between blotters. The next day, slide the strips together till they lie smooth and even, and close together. Fasten by sewing the outside strips lightly to the interlacing ones. Cut the extending parts off about one inch from outside

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CORN-COBS—DRY

CORN-COBS—DRY

Corn-Crib ( Cobs , hammer , nails , cover of starch-box ) To a small piece of thin wood like the cover of a starch-box nail four short cobs of equal length for legs (half an inch or an inch long). Around the four sides, on top, nail a row of slender cobs for the walls of the corn crib. Make roof of cobs or lay a piece of cardboard across. Nail from below, through the board. It will require a little thought to determine just where the nail must go in order to run through the board and into the co

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CORN KERNELS—DRY

CORN KERNELS—DRY

Portieres ( Kernels of corn , straws , needle , coarse thread , pan ) Soak corn in pan of water over night or till soft. Get inch-long pieces of straw at kindergarten supply store, or, if obtainable in the country, get the straws entire and let the children cut them into inch pieces. In all this work it is desirable to let the child do as much as possible himself. Later, when familiar with materials and simple processes, let him use the prepared bought material. Now, let him string the corn and

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POP-CORN

POP-CORN

There are few American children who need to be told how to pop corn; they see it done before they are able to do it themselves. But this fascinating occupation is not known to many children outside of the United States. Perhaps it is well that our children should appreciate their privilege in this respect. If a popper is unobtainable, corn can be quickly and deliciously popped by putting a tablespoonful of butter in a deep kettle and when it is hot dropping in a cupful of popcorn. Shake or rathe

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NUTS

NUTS

Boat ( Walnut shell , pan of water , toothpicks , candle-wax ) When busy with her baking the mother can give the three-year-old in his high chair a half walnut shell for a boat. An older child can elaborate into a sail-boat by cutting a triangular piece of paper for a sail, glueing it to a toothpick for mast, and then melting a drop of wax from a candle and inserting the mast while the wax is still warm. A burnt match can be shaped into a mast also. Such a fleet of tiny vessels would prettily se

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APPLES

APPLES

Candlestick ( Apple , candle ) Cut in the top of a rosy apple a hole of right size to hold a candle. Appropriate for Thanksgiving. A carrot can also be used thus, but a part must be cut away at the bottom so as to secure a firm base....

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ORANGES

ORANGES

Baskets ( Orange , smaller fruits ) Cut an orange horizontally partly through the middle from each side so as to leave a part in the centre which can be cut into a handle. Hollow out the interior and put raisins, small nuts, etc., in it....

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RED PEPPERS

RED PEPPERS

Lantern ( Large red pepper , knife ) Hollow out a large red pepper and cut into it eyes, nose and mouth, making a miniature Jack-o'-lantern. This makes a pretty table decoration. Let the child help as much as possible by making these little table decorations. If you want boy and girl to love home, give them a share in making it interesting and attractive. Do not discourage them if their efforts are a little crude at times. It is the spirit of good-will which makes the blessed home....

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EGG-SHELLS

EGG-SHELLS

Garden ( Shell , earth , birdseed ) Cut an egg-shell in half horizontally, with a sharp pair of scissors, and three days before Easter put into it a little earth, place in this a little canary seed, or a single pea or bean, and a little plant will delight the child. Doll's Cradle ( Shell , ribbon half an inch wide , paste , cardboard ) Take a smooth white egg and blow it. To do this make a tiny pin-hole in each end, and by blowing into one end steadily the contents can be emptied out of the othe

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PRUNES AND RAISINS

PRUNES AND RAISINS

Turtle ( Raisin and five cloves ) Take a plump raisin and stick into it five cloves for head and legs. Man ( Raisins or prunes , toothpicks ) Make a man by running a toothpick through three raisins for a body. Into the top one stick two other toothpicks, with two raisins each for arms and two other toothpicks with raisins make the legs. Each leg has a projecting raisin for a foot and another large raisin makes the head. These are fun-makers for a children's party, one at each plate....

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SEEDS

SEEDS

Stringing ( Squash seeds—dried , strong thread , needle ) Little children can be happily occupied making chains of squash, pumpkin, and water-melon seeds that have been saved and made soft by soaking awhile in water. The black seeds of the water-melon alternate prettily with the white seeds of the other gourds. Variety can be introduced by stringing several of one color and then several of another, counting by twos, threes, etc. This gives exercise in counting, in pleasing grouping of colors, an

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SOAP

SOAP

Hammering ( Old-fashioned bar soap , hammer , nails ) A wee child will entertain himself for a long time by hammering nails into a bar of soap if the proper tools be given him. In this simple activity he exercises both mind and body. It requires good coördination on the part of the little one to strike the nail just right, and he enjoys not only the exercise itself, but also the pleasure of imitating the carpenter who uses the hammer so skilfully. Drawing ( White soap , window-pane ) On a day wh

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CEREAL BOXES

CEREAL BOXES

Moving-Van ( Cereal-box , glue , two skewers , 4 button-molds , 4 nails or strong pins ) Take a box (Quaker Oats or Force, etc.). Cut out doors and side openings for a moving-van. It may be well to draw these first. For a model, look at any van or grocer's wagon. It will be seen that models are numerous and various. If more explicit directions are required we give the following, although it is always well to have the child use his own mind as far as possible before going to others for ideas. Rem

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EDAM CHEESE

EDAM CHEESE

Lantern ( Cheese , knife , candle ) After the interior of one of these round, red cheeses has been scooped out and eaten by the family, the discarded red shell will make a fine Jack-o'-lantern, if the proper holes for eyes, nose and mouth be cut into it and a candle inserted inside. The candle may be inserted in a socket cut into the bottom of the rind, or it may be made to stand firmly in a bed of wax or tallow melted from its own lower end....

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SALT

SALT

Play for Baby ( Fine table salt , spoon , bottle , small box or pan ) If clean fine sand is not at the moment available, give the baby a box containing a heap of salt and a teaspoon and bottle, and he will be happy for a long time, passing the salt from one bottle or box to another. To the young mother this may seem akin to foolishness, but in thus playing simply with sand or with salt the baby is exercising faculties and working out baby problems which he should be given opportunity to try. He

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TIN CANS

TIN CANS

Burnt-Match Safe ( Mustard box , oil paints , brush , ribbon , nail , hammer ) Punch two holes near the upper edge of a discarded mustard box, the holes to be opposite each other. These may be made by hammering a nail through the tin, holding the box firmly against a block of wood or stone for pressure. With oil paints, one color, begin at the top to paint the box, graduating from light to darker tones as the bottom is approached. Lighter tones may be secured by mixing the blue or red with Chine

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TIN FOIL

TIN FOIL

Toy Dishes ( Tin foil from cream-cheese wrappers , etc .) Take the tin foil, and by simple squeezing and pressing and shaping, a little practice will enable one to make it into tiny pitchers, goblets, pans, etc., for dolly's table. Toy Mirror ( Tin foil , scissors ) Smooth carefully with the fingers and cut a piece of the tin foil into the shape and size to fit a little cardboard bureau. A larger piece will simulate water in the sandbox park. Toy Money ( Tin foil , coin , scissors ) Smooth the t

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CORK

CORK

Save all corks and they may be used in a variety of ways. Toy Raft ( Cork , wire or hairpins ) Run several corks on a piece of wire to resemble a log; make several such and then tie together to make a raft, tying between the corks. Toy Boat ( Circular flat cork , tacks , wire , toothpick , paper ) Insert a toothpick in one of the large flat corks that sometimes cover pickle glasses. Paste a paper triangle upon this for a sail and set afloat in a dishpan sea. Flower-Rack ( Flat cork , pencil ) Ta

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STONES AND PEBBLES

STONES AND PEBBLES

Collections ( Stones , small boxes ) Collect various pretty little stones and pebbles on river shore, coast or roadway, and classify in different ways—according to color, shape, size. This exercises the child's observing powers and trains him in detecting differences and resemblances. Keep in small boxes. Bottled Pebbles ( Pebbles , plain glass bottle ) Put some pretty pebbles in a glass bottle filled with water which intensifies the color. Send to some sick friend, especially some one from the

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SHELLS

SHELLS

Collections ( Shells , small boxes ) Collect and classify according to color, shape, etc., and keep in separate boxes. Bottled Shells ( Shells , bottle ) Put little shells in bottle of water to bring out lovely colors. (See Bottled Pebbles above.) Border for Sand-Table Place small shells along little paths in sand-table, sometimes with concave side up and vice versa . Larger shells, as clamshells, make fine borders for roads and paths in the country. They outline the road on a dark night. Water-

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BIRCH BARK

BIRCH BARK

Needle-Case or Penwiper ( Squares of chamois skin or flannel , sewing-silk , paint ) Cut bark into circles, squares, oblongs, etc. Decorate with gold lettering or borders of gold. Make several leaves of flannel or chamois skin and sew the bark on to these as a cover. The flannel may be scalloped. An appropriate sentiment to write upon penwiper cover is "Extracts from the pen of—" putting in the name of the recipient. The leaves and cover may be sewed together with a cross-stitch. Handkerchief-Bo

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GOURDS

GOURDS

Darning-Egg A smooth well-shaped gourd (mock-orange) makes a serviceable darning egg. Hanging-Basket ( Large gourd , soil , plant ) Clear the gourd of fibre and seeds, after cutting off the top rim evenly. Pierce the top with two holes through which to attach cord for hanging, fill with a light, loose soil, and plant in it a drooping, trailing plant. Cut a hole in the lower end to allow for drainage. Let the country child save gourds of good shape to present, thus filled, to city friends....

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VEGETABLES

VEGETABLES

Sweet-Potato Vine Put a sweet potato in sandy loam in a hanging basket and water occasionally. It will produce a beautiful, graceful vine. Carrot-Top Cut off the top of a young carrot evenly and place it on top of a pot filled with sand. Moisten well, and keep in the dark till it has begun to sprout; when the leaves appear take it out, and the word "Carrot-top" will acquire a new meaning, the result is so pretty. Turnip Take a turnip and clean the outside, taking care not to injure the parts fro

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RAFFIA

RAFFIA

This flexible fiber, long used by florists, is now also used a great deal in the schools for the educational hand-training it affords. It can be obtained at kindergarten supply places. Reins Take three to six strands and braid into reins for playing horse. As the ends of the strands are approached (each is about a yard long) begin to weave in a new strand, as inconspicuously as possible. Do not have the strands all exactly the same length to begin with, because if you reach the end of all at the

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LEAVES

LEAVES

Festoons and Wreaths ( Leaves, fresh or dried , thorns or needle and thread ) City children may need to be told what seems to be handed down to the country child from generation to generation, that leaves may be made into wreaths for the head or decoration for the room either by overlapping one upon another and fastening together with a thorn or sharp twig, or by stringing together on a stout thread. To Dry or Press ( Blotting paper , two small smooth boards , strap , wax or linseed oil ) Gather

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FEATHERS

FEATHERS

Feather Flowers ( A large goose with many white feathers , beeswax , spools of wire of different sizes , aniline dyes, though vegetable dyes are preferable if obtainable , strong scissors suitable for cutting wire , spools of strong white cotton thread , spool of milliner's green-covered wire ) Pluck the breast of the goose. (Feathers come out very easily.) The feathers, being very light, fly about and therefore it is best to do the plucking in an uncarpeted room or one in which the floor has be

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FLOWERS

FLOWERS

Pressed Morning-Glories ( The flowers , white tissue-paper , scissors , book or pressing boards ) Press the flowers between a fold of thin tissue-paper. The delicate flowers will adhere to the paper, which is sufficiently transparent however for the morning-glory to be visible through it. When dry, cut the paper from around the flower and pin to curtains, lambrequin, etc., as desired, or attach to letter paper. Soldier-Flowers ( Milkweed blossoms ) The small blossoms of the milkweed may be made

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ROSE-HAWS

ROSE-HAWS

Rosaries ( Haws , stout thread , needle ) When the beautiful red rose-haws ripen let the children string them, making rosaries to send to city friends....

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STRAWS

STRAWS

Stringing ( Scissors , needle , thread , cranberries , nuts , etc. ) Save the straw from rye and let the children cut it into one-inch lengths for stringing alternately with cranberries, nuts, beads, etc. Use to decorate the room, to make portieres, and to decorate the child himself when dressing up. Blowing Bubbles ( Straw , soapy water ) Hollow straws several inches long may be used to blow tiny bubbles of soapy water in the absence of a clay pipe....

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SUN AND SHADOW

SUN AND SHADOW

Blue-Prints ( Leaf , blue-print paper , running water , small oblong of glass ) A package of blue-print paper can be bought at any photographic supply place for from 15 cents up, or can be had in the sheet from an architect's supply store. It must be carefully protected from the light till ready for use. Take a square of the paper and place upon it a leaf or flower or inconspicuous weed that makes a good shadow on the sidewalk or window sill. Place this in pleasing position upon the paper and pu

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PAPER

PAPER

Tearing Paper ( Any bit of paper ) Give the children small pieces of paper and let them try to tear these into simple definite shapes. Make a shoe, stocking, snowman, tree, ladder, cat, etc. Watch that they do not grow nervous in doing it. After a little practice they will become surprisingly expert. Paste what they make on a good background to save and compare with later efforts. This is a really educational occupation which involves absolutely no expense, as any clean piece of paper may be so

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CARDBOARD OR BRISTOL BOARD

CARDBOARD OR BRISTOL BOARD

Go-Bang Board ( Bristol board , ruler , ink , pen , button-molds , water-color paints or colored inks ) Get a piece of bristol board or clean cardboard at stationer's and cut it 18 inches square. Divide by straight lines into small squares ¾ inches each way. To draw the straight lines in ink turn the ruler upside down and run the penholder against the edge, which is a little raised from the paper. This keeps the ink from blotting. Four is the smallest number that can play with much success, and

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MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Chinese Kite ( Kindergarten slats , paper , glue ) Take a firm, light paper (druggist's paper will do). Cut two oblongs, 7 × 10 inches. Cut off all the corners by an oblique line of three inches. Fold each oblong lengthwise. Place the folded edges back to back, still folded. Take two slats and place one under one oblong and over the other, horizontally. Do the same with the other slat, but reversing the under and over positions. Take four strips of paper, which should be about one inch wide. Pas

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BUTTONS

BUTTONS

Spinning Button ( Button , thread ) Show the child a button strung upon a strong thread about 12 inches long. Then hold the thread firmly between thumb and finger of each hand and twirl it rapidly, drawing it suddenly taut. The button whirls round, making a pretty spinning figure. Stringing Buttons ( Buttons , waxed thread ) If baby is so old that he is not tempted to swallow a pretty button, give him a strong thread waxed at the end to make it stiff, and let him make a chain of buttons. They ma

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SPOOLS

SPOOLS

Toy Furniture (See page 15 ) Toy Tree Boxes ( Spools , green paint , matches , green paper , scissors , paste ) Let the child paint an empty spool green, to be used as a tree box. Insert a burnt match to which has been pasted some green paper, previously fringed, to represent foliage. The child can make a row of such trees as a little boulevard up which he can draw an empty match box for a carriage. Spool Tower Target ( A number of spools , ball ) Pile a number of spools one on top of another an

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NEEDLES

NEEDLES

Breastpins ( Broken needles , sealing wax , candle ) Take a large broken needle, such that it is intact except for the eye. Show the child how to make a pretty pin for dolly by melting the wax a little in the candle flame, inserting the head of the needle, and molding into shape the bit of wax that adheres. Threading Needles ( Needles , thread ) If eager to do something, give the child a number of needles with thread of white and black, and let him thread them and put them into a cushion so that

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MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Thimble Biscuits (See page 104 ) Drawing Scissors ( Scissors , paper , pencil ) Give the child scissors and paper and let him place the scissors on the paper and draw the outline around them. Then tell him to cut out this outline. Make several such and play at keeping cutlery store. Draw scissors open at different angles and tell names of angles; right, acute, obtuse. Guessing Distances ( Ruler or tape measure ) Let the children guess the height and length of various objects in the room. Verify

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LEARNING TO OBSERVE

LEARNING TO OBSERVE

Painting From the Real Object ( Paints , chalk or charcoal ) Place before the child an apple, banana or flower of simple form and let him copy directly from the object without previous drawing. Encourage his efforts, however crude the results at first. It is more educative to draw from the real object than from a copy. Give him at first three colors only, in paints, till he learns how to get other colors by mixing these. For this purpose point out beautiful sunsets and cloud effects in Nature. L

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ACQUIRING SKILL

ACQUIRING SKILL

Calendars ( Water-colors , brush , paper , calendar pad ) Draw circles, squares, etc., and let the child fill in the outlines with color. A tiny calendar may be pasted in the center and ribbons put through wherewith to hang it up. In filling in these figures show the child how to hold the brush lightly so as to secure freedom of stroke. Let him make long strokes beginning at the top of the paper and moving from side to side slowly downward, or rather as rapidly as is consistent with neatness. Ha

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EXPERIMENTS WITH COLOR

EXPERIMENTS WITH COLOR

Prism ( Secure glass prism from kindergarten store or from some candelabra you may have at home ) Place in sunlight and let child observe colors and the order in which they appear; always in the same order—the cold colors at one end, the warm ones at the other. Let the little child try to catch and hold the lovely "light-bird." Pigments ( Water-color paints , glasses of water ) Dissolve a little red, yellow and blue paint in three separate glasses. Then, by mingling these—the primary colors—show

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APPLIED ART

APPLIED ART

Toy Wagons and Houses If the child has made wagons or houses of wood or cardboard, let him paint them in broad, free strokes. It is desirable that the little child be given work which involves the free movement of the larger muscles which such work demands. This may not appeal to one as belonging under the head of art, but we learn from Mr. Pennell that in Sicily the wagons of the peasants are beautifully decorated with landscapes and other pictures, and that the artists are particular to make t

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PICTURE-STORY

PICTURE-STORY

Chased by a Goose ( Pencil , paper ) Once some boys lived in a house (make a dot) surrounded by a strong fence (draw circle round the dot). A short distance off was a large pond (an oval, a little below and to the right of the circle). One day the boys ran down to the pond (draw curved line from house to pond) and began to splash in the water and to throw it at each other (a number of oblique lines from right hand end of pond). Some distance off lived some Indians in two wigwams (two oblique lin

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A FEW DOLLS

A FEW DOLLS

1. Clay-Pipe Doll Ink in the eyes, nose and mouth on the back of the bowl of a pipe; dress in calico gown and apron, and put on a sunbonnet to conceal the top of the pipe. 2. Clothespin Doll Ink features upon the head of the clothespin and clothe as either boy or girl. 3. Wishbone Doll ( Wishbone , sealing-wax , material for trousers ) Clothe the two limbs in trousers and ink in the features upon the flat joining bone. Feet may be made of sealing wax melted, pressed into shape and attached while

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SOME DOLL-HOUSES

SOME DOLL-HOUSES

1. Cigar-Box House ( Small cigar-box , paste , scissors , pictures , etc. ) A cigar-box, small as it is, will give great delight to a child who is aided in furnishing a little room. Stand the box up on the long side. Paper with wall paper of a small design. Then furnish with things made by the child himself; pictures cut from catalogues, and other accessories as described below. 2. Pasteboard-Box House ( Four pasteboard boxes , glue , paint ) Select four strong pasteboard boxes of uniform size.

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DOLL FURNITURE

DOLL FURNITURE

1. Cork. (See page 37 .) 2. Block ( Blocks of wood or kindergarten blocks, cubes and oblongs ) Glue these blocks together, three cubes making a little chair, and cubes and oblongs making a bed or sofa. Get the carpenter to saw a number of blocks of different shapes and sizes and let the child use his invention in putting them together. The furniture may be painted or gilded. 3. Paper or Cardboard Take a piece of paper 1 × 2 inches. Fold crosswise. Make a dot ¼ inch from the folded edge and ⅛ inc

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SPECIAL ARTICLES OF FURNITURE

SPECIAL ARTICLES OF FURNITURE

Pictures and Clocks ( Trade journals , scissors ) Cut from trade journals and attach to walls. Lamp ( Twist spool , toothpick , half egg-shell , wax ) Paste a bit of paper on top and bottom of twist spool. Through this stick a toothpick, which the paper should hold firmly. Upon the top of the toothpick fasten a half egg-shell for a globe with bit of wax or glue. Stove ( Cardboard , black ink or paint ) Make oblong box of cardboard. Turn upside down and cut openings for top of stove. Make a small

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MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Grocery Store ( Wooden soap-box , small cardboard box , scales , toy barrels , tiny pill boxes , sand , pebbles , etc. ) A small wooden box makes the store. A smaller cardboard box turned upside down will make the counter, or small pieces of wood can be nailed together by the little amateur carpenter. Buy toy scales or make some as described below. Small barrels can be obtained at toy store or little bottles and boxes can be filled with small quantities of tea and sugar, with tiny bags of pebble

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TAG GAMES

TAG GAMES

Circle Tag One person stands in the center of a ring of children and each one in the ring holds out his right hand. The one in the middle tags one of the hands and the owner immediately gives chase till he catches the pursued. Vary by having both tagged and tagger skip, hop, etc., instead of run. Racing Tag Players form circle. One goes outside the ring and runs or walks around, suddenly quietly touching another player, who immediately races with him, going around the ring in opposite direction.

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RACES

RACES

Allied to the tag games are the racing games, of which we give only two. Potato Race ( Twelve potatoes , two tablespoons ) Place six potatoes in a row about three feet apart. Place six others in a parallel row some distance away. Give two players each a spoon, and at a signal they start to race. Each player runs up his row, picking up the potatoes, one by one, carrying each in turn to a given point, then coming back for another potato, till all are thus carried. The left hand must not assist. Th

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AIMING GAMES WITH BEAN-BAGS

AIMING GAMES WITH BEAN-BAGS

Kinds of Bags (1. Ticking or strong calico , strong thread , needle , baking-beans . 2. Felt , sewing silk ) 1. Make a strong bag of bright colored material, 6 × 8 inches in size. Fill with the ordinary baking-beans and overhand the top. 2. Take a piece of felt or any pretty strong material which will bear the wear and tear of the game. Cut into two circles 5 or 6 inches in diameter. Sew together on the wrong side, with a seam of one fourth inch. Then cut in the center a small circle half an inc

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AIMING GAMES WITH BALLS

AIMING GAMES WITH BALLS

The games just described may be played with balls as well as with bean-bags, and thus require more co-ordination on the part of the child's muscles. We give a few other games in addition. Counting-Ball Let one child bounce the ball, striking it from above with the palm of his hand and counting one, two, etc., until he fails to hit it, when another child takes a turn. Guess-Ball A row of players number off from one end 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The last number steps in front of the row a distance such as

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AIMING GAMES—MISCELLANEOUS

AIMING GAMES—MISCELLANEOUS

Ring-Toss ( Small wooden box , broom-handle or dowel , nail or glue , embroidery rings or hoops of small keg ) Saw a foot from a broom-handle or dowel (a child's broom will best serve the purpose). Glue or nail this to a box. Let the child practice tossing over this post rings taken from a small keg; or embroidery rings may be used. These may be wound around with bright colored strips of lining or with ribbon. The rings should be graduated in size. Grace-Hoops ( Basket reeds , raffia ) Make a wa

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MISCELLANEOUS PLAYS

MISCELLANEOUS PLAYS

The Countess of the Huggermuggers ( Two candles in candlesticks ) Give two players each a candle. They take places about eight feet apart. Then each takes a step forward at the same time and makes a solemn bow without smiling; then another step and bow; and then a third. Then one says solemnly, "The Countess of the Huggermuggers is dead." The other one rejoins, "I am very sorry to hear it." The first one replies, "So am I." Then each takes three steps backward, with a bow each time, and all with

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SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN'S PARTIES

SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN'S PARTIES

Peanut Party ( Several quarts of peanuts, and a pretty little bag measuring 6 × 8 inches for each guest ) Before the little guests arrive, hide the peanuts in corners, under cushions, and in all possible hiding-places, singly, or two or three together. At a signal all of the children begin to search for the peanuts. The one finding the most wins. Give a reward of a peanut doll. (See page 80 .) In no such games of competition is it a good plan to have expensive prizes. That plan ministers to a we

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NEW YEAR'S DAY

NEW YEAR'S DAY

Place Cards at Table ( White card , pressed four-leaf clover, or paints ) 1. Having found and pressed four-leaved clovers in the days of summer, paste one lightly to each place card as symbol of good-luck. 2. Copy a clover-leaf with paints and write on card some appropriate quotation signifying good-will. Decorated Note Paper ( Writing paper , leaf , paste or paints ) Paste a real clover leaf (or paint one) on the writing paper upon which you may be writing a New Year's letter to your friend. Ca

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ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Save lace papers from candy and soap boxes and they will prove useful when St. Valentine's Day comes in making Valentines. With these papers and scissors, paste, scrap pictures of flowers, doves, etc., the children will spend happy hours in making these dainty souvenirs. We give a few directions for making some such. Single Hearts ( Red cardboard , lace paper , scrap pictures , scissors , paste ) Cut a heart out of the cardboard and around the edge paste a border of lace paper, fulling slightly

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WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

Luncheon Card ( 1. Picture hatchet , cardboard , scissors , paints ; 2. Same — also white or reddish brown paper ) 1. Find a picture of a hatchet and use it as a model from which to cut one about two inches long. Paint this in colors resembling the real hatchet, and upon the reverse side write the name of the guest. 2. From a piece of white or reddish-brown paper cut a one-inch square. Paint so as to resemble cherry wood. Roll so that one edge overlaps the other a trifle, simulating the trunk of

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY—MARCH 17TH

ST. PATRICK'S DAY—MARCH 17TH

Place Cards ( White cards , water-color or oil paints , brush ) Paint a picture of shamrock upon the card. It may be copied from some picture, if not from the real plant. If not possible to find a picture, our wild-wood-sorrel ( Oxalis acetosella ) is supposed to be the same as the shamrock and may be used for model. Some authorities believe the white clover to be the original shamrock. Flags ( Irish flag , green paint , gold paint , brush , scissors , slender sticks ) If one Irish flag is bough

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EASTER

EASTER

Egg Shell Garden (See page 25 ) Sponge Garden ( Small, clean sponge , birdseed ) A few days before Easter, sprinkle the sponge with birdseed. Keep damp and the seeds will sprout and cover the sponge with growing blades of green. Easter Eggs ( 1. Diamond dyes , a dozen eggs . 2. Small figured calico , lye , boiling water ) 1. Boil the eggs hard and dye with the colors according to directions on package, which may be had at drugstore, price five cents. 2. Wind strips of the bright calico around th

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MEMORIAL DAY

MEMORIAL DAY

We give no special suggestions for the celebration of Memorial or Decoration Day. The ideas given under the headings of the other patriotic holidays, as Washington's Birthday and Fourth of July, may be used also for this holiday, but it is not a day for mere play. If the parents plan to go to the cemetery let the child accompany them and carry flowers, preferably those of his own raising or plucking. Reading It would be well also on this day to read some great piece of patriotic literature, eith

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INDEPENDENCE DAY

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Firecrackers ( Red paper , hemp string , paste ) Get large sheets of red paper to be found at department stores or wholesale paper houses, measuring about 35 inches in length and 26 inches in width. From each one cut thirteen 2-inch strips, cutting the length of the sheet. Fold each strip once across the width of the strip, and cut through the center at the fold. This gives twenty-six 2-inch strips of paper, the width of the small sized firecrackers. Hold a strip of paper between the thumb and f

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LABOR DAY

LABOR DAY

The words "parade" and "procession" are associated in the minds of most American children with long lines of soldiers, and the small boy will play for hours putting his tin soldiers in rank and file, or marching with his comrades, with pans for drums. In these later days, when the spirit of the Peace Congress is in the air, it is well that the children should become interested in struggles and battles of a different and higher order and in the parades in which long lines of honorable workers tak

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HALLOWE'EN

HALLOWE'EN

This is the festival which is given over to all kinds of merry pranks and is dearly loved by the children. It is an opportunity to teach them to discriminate between the fun which is kindly and that which is malicious and productive of needless pain. Ducking for Apples and Nuts ( Large pans or tubs , apples , nuts , pennies ) Let the children, young and old, for once get themselves wet, if necessary, in ducking for the nuts and apples floating in the water. With a little suction some of the chil

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THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

Place Cards ( White paper or cardboard , brush and paints or pen and ink ) 1. Cut out a turkey, copying from some picture if necessary. (Picture may be found in dictionary.) If skilful with brush or pen, indicate the feathers, eye, etc. 2. Draw picture of a pumpkin. Cut it out. Paint in deep orange tones with shadings of brown. Cut into it eyes, nose and mouth, suggesting Jack-o'-lantern. 3. On white cards write stanzas from Whittier's poem, "The Pumpkin Pie," and let each guest read his stanza

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CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS

Place Cards 1. ( Sheet black paper , Chinese white water-color paint , brush .) Cut a stocking from the black paper (obtainable at kindergarten supply store). With the paint, paint in white toes and heels. On the reverse side write some appropriate quotation and name of guest. Stockings may be about four inches long. 2. ( White paper , black ink or crayon .) Cut a rough figure of a snowman out of white paper, put in features with black ink or crayon, and write name on reverse side. 3. ( Water pa

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HOME TASKS

HOME TASKS

Here are a few brief directions for the usual home tasks in which both boys and girls may to some extent be trained. Table Setting ( Usual dishes and cutlery ) Different homes vary in unimportant particulars in the placing of the dishes. The following is a common arrangement for the dinner table: At each place lay the fork vertically at the left-hand side, the knife vertically at the right, and the soup-spoon to the right of the knife. This places each utensil so that it is ready for the hand wh

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FAIRY TALES, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS

FAIRY TALES, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS

Adventures of Pinocchio, translated from Cullodi by Cramp (an Italian classic loved by children). Æsop's Fables. Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll. Among the Farmyard People, Clara D. Pierson. Boys' Odyssey, W. C. Perry. Curious Book of Birds, Abbie Farwell Brown. Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen. Fifty Famous Stories Retold, Baldwin. Folk Tales from the Russian, Blumenthal. Gods and Heroes, Francillon. (Greek legends.) Household Stories, Anna C. Klingensmith. Heroes Every Child Should Know

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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY

Childhood of Ji-Shib the Ojibwa, A. E. Jenks. Children of the Cold, Frederick Schwatka. (Life among Esquimaux children.) Cuore, de Amicis, translated by Mrs. Lucas. (Experiences of a school boy in Italy.) Each and All, Jane Andrews. Five Minute Stories, Laura E. Richards. History of the Ancient Greeks, C. D. Shaw. Lolami, the Little Cliff-Dweller, Clara K. Bayliss. Ten Boys of Long Ago, Andrews. The Chinese Boy and Girl, Bishop Headland. The Snow Baby, Mrs. Peary. Seven Little Sisters, Jane Andr

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NATURE

NATURE

A Year in the Fields, Burroughs. Everyday Birds, Bradford Torrey. First Book of Forestry, Filibert Roth. Friends in Feathers and Fur, Johonnot. Grasshopper Land, Margaret Morley. How to Attract Birds, Neltje Blanchan. Lady Hollyhock and Her Friends, Margaret C. Walker. (Tells how to make dolls out of flowers.) Plant Relations, Coulter. Pussy Meow, S. Louise Patteson. The Bee People, Margaret Morley. The Hall of Shells. The Stars in Song and Legend, J. G. Porter. The Training of Wild Animals, Fra

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POETRY

POETRY

Book of Nursery Rhymes, New Collection of Old Mother Goose, Charles Welsh. Children's Book, The, compilation by Scudder. (Prose and verse.) Child's Garden of Verses, Robert L. Stevenson. The Chinese Mother Goose, Bishop Headland. (Charmingly illustrated with photographic pictures of Chinese children with their parents.) Golden Numbers, Kate Douglas Wiggin. (Choice collection of miscellaneous poetry; beautifully bound.) Little Rhymes for Little Readers, Wilhelmina Seegmiller. Lyrica Heroica, edit

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PICTURE BOOKS

PICTURE BOOKS

An Apple Pie, Kate Greenaway. At Great Aunt Martha's (Pictures), Kathleen Ainslie. (Illustrations of wooden dolls.) Book of Nonsense, Edward Lear. (Highly recommended by Ruskin.) Dean's Rag Books. (For very young children; will wash and iron.) Jingleman Jack (Pictures and verses about the trades), O'Dea and Kennedy. Four and Twenty Toilers, Lucas. (Hard to procure.)...

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MUSIC

MUSIC

Children's Messiah, Mari Ruef Hofer. Children's Singing Games, Old and New, Mari Ruef Hofer. Christmas-Time Songs and Carols, Mrs. Crosby Adams. Finger Plays, Emilie Poulsson. Holiday Songs, Emilie Poulsson. Merry Songs and Games for the Use of the Kindergarten, Clara B. Hubbard. Music for the Child World, Mari Ruef Hofer. Two vols. (Music every child should know.) Nature Songs for Children, Fanny Snow Knowlton. Primary and Junior Songs for the Sunday-school, Mari Ruef Hofer. Small Songs for Sma

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SUNDAY-SCHOOL HELPS

SUNDAY-SCHOOL HELPS

A Year of Sunday-school Work, Florence U. Palmer. Beginnings, A. W. Gould. Pamphlet. Tells of the beginnings of world, man, sin, language, death, law, etc., according to the Bible, according to Science, and according to old myths. Bible for Young People, Century Co. Kindergarten Sunday-school Stories, Laura A. Cragin. (New Testament.) Old and New Testament for Children, edited by Richard G. Moulton. Old Testament Bible Stories, Walter L. Sheldon. Stories from the Lips of the Teacher, O. B. Froth

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The Kindergarten Gifts

The Kindergarten Gifts

Friedrich Froebel, after observing and studying thoughtfully the play and playthings of little children, selected from among these, and arranged in logical order, a certain series which should help develop the little one in mind, body, and spirit through childlike play. This series of related playthings is known as the kindergarten "gifts." All children of all races play ball, and the first kindergarten gift to be given, even to a very little child, consists of six soft worsted balls in the colo

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The Kindergarten Occupations

The Kindergarten Occupations

The kindergarten gifts proceed, as will have been observed, from the solid through other forms to the point. The objects made with these are but temporary, and the same material may be used again and again. Parallel with these Froebel devised what he calls the "occupations," which put into permanent shape the ideas expressed by the gifts. Among the occupations (we will not name all) are: Peaswork, pricking, sewing, weaving, parquetry, pasting, cardboard modeling, sand and clay modeling. These ar

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