Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-01-04
A NEGLECTED STUDY.
Various Ways In Which Mothers Can Amuse
Their Little Ones.


Their Little Ones.
Many mothers find it difficult to
amuso their babies. They say that they
have no talent for storytelling or for
invcnting plays. Perhaps they have
never tried to entertain their little ones
as they try to care for their physical
needs. The little ones revel in the gro
tesque, the odd, the sunexpectant The
personification of the common creatures
about them affords endless interest A
fretful child of eighteen months or two
years will stop crying ut once if you
talk to him about kitty's fur cloak, and
ask him how she keeps her white stock
ings so clean. A baby too young to
talk was SO restless and "cross'' that
he could not 60 to sleep as usual. His
mother rocked him and walked about
with him in her arms till she was tired
out. A lady who happened in took him,
and, going to the canary's cage, said:
"See birdie, fast asleep in his little yell
low night gown" The child laughed
a!oud. He had experienced a reaction
from his frcttul mood. and soon dropped
asleep.
Little children suffer in chilly,
prosaic, grown-up atmosphere. Help
them to make believe and they will
amuse themselves. Two mothers of
my acquaintance pursued two different
methods with their babies. Each had
her own homework to do. One set the
little mischievous tot on the carpet
with some familiar toys, and expected
her to stay there while the dishes were
being washed, the bread kncaded, and
the silver polished. The consequence
was, the child soon left the monotoncus
pIaythings, the wcll-known rubber
rattle, the picture-book and the painted
blocks, and tugged at her mothers
skirts, fretting and teasing; or she left
her station on the carpet for the fasci-
mating occupation of picking off the
wallpaper. The other mother put Miss
Baby in her high-chair, tied and braced
to avoid accident, and on table be-
fore her set a shallow pan with half-;,-
pint of water in it. She gave a bit of rag
and the child's tin dishes, and let her
''help mamma" Protected by an oil
cloth bib, the water did her no harm;
and for a full hour the little thing
washed and dried her dishes, and
washed them over again, the mother
chattering with her happily. This
woman was even then in mourning for
the baby's father, but was too wise to
chill the sensitive child-spirit with the
cloud Of her own sorrow.
The baby must be made to under
stand that thus far it can go and no
further; but within its own limits it
should be hundred, pleased and inter-
ested. 1t is necessary to natural. healthy
development that the baby's mind
chould be serene. its feelings respected,
that its spirit should be bathed in sun
shine. Many mother sets her gera-
NUNS in the sun and frowns at the
baby.
AS to stories, very little invention is
required for a two-year-old. Ifhe be told
in the form of story just what he did
the day before, he will be interested.
The true story of the babybirds whose
mother was taken away from them will
be listened to over and over. The &C.
count of the little gray mouse that
went hunting for cheese and got caught
in trap while Baby was asleep will
suffice for many entertainments. The
mother who tries simplifying and en-
bellishing these little histories will find
her power increasing. The child can
be taught many lesson of sympathy
with animals in this simple way.
1t is necessary to study for good re-
suits in every department of life. How
many mothers set themselves to study
the best ways to entertain their chill
dren? These little ones want occupa-
ton for body and mind; they want en-
enlargement and sympathy, a great
deal of both; they want firm restric-
tons, and. within those, sunny. joyous
freedom. Thus treated, they will soon
be real help to the wise, loving
mother.-Babyhood.
A Sensitive Gentleman.
"Ah, good morning." said a we'll
known Kentucky gentleman, address,