The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-03-03
A NEGLECTED STUDY.

CbristiGn Union.
A NEGLECTED STUDY.
Their Little Ones.
Many mothers find It difficult to
amuse their babies. They say that they
have no talent for storytelling or for
inventing plays. Perhaps they have
never tried to entertain their little ones
as they try to care for their physical
needs. The little ones reyelin the gro
tesque, the odd. the unexpectant. The
personifcation Of the common creatures
about them affords endless interest. A
frctful child of eighteen months or two
years viii stop crying at 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 go 10 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 nightgown." The child laughed
aloud. He had experienced reaction
from his fretful mood. and soon dropped
asleep.
Little children suffer in q chilly.
prosaic, grown-up atmosphere. Help
them to make believe and they win
amusc themselves. Two mothers Of
my acquaintance pursued two different
methods with their babies. Each had
her own houscwork to do. One set the
little mischicyous 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 consequences
was, the child soon left the monotonous
playthings. the well-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-a-
pint of water in it. She gave bit ofrag
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 humored. pleased and inter-
ested. 1t is necessary to natural. healthy
dcvelopement 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 Mt the
baby.
As to stories. very little invention is
required for two-year-old. Hhe be told
in the form of a story just what he did
the day before. he will be interested.
The true story Of the baby-birds whose
mother was taken away from them will
be listened to over and over. The ac-
count of the little gray mouse that
went hunting for cheese aud got caught
in a trap while Baby was asleep will
suffice for many entertainments. The
mother who tries amplifving and en-
bellishiug these little histories will find
her power increasing. The child can
be taught many q 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 strLy
the best ways to entertain. their chill
drenP These little ones want ,ccupa-
ton for body and mind; they want en-
and sympathy a great
deal Of both; they want fit4n restric-
tions, and. within those. sunny. joyous
freedom. Thus treated. they will soon
be real help to the wise, loving
mother. - Babyhood.
A Sensitive Gentleman.