St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-25
LESSONS FOR LITTLE ONES.
How to Teach Small Maidens to
Sew, Darn and Cook.

How to Teach Small Maidens to
Sew, Darn and Cook.
Domestic Monthly.
The baby of two years old will beg
for needle to sew, and, in her small
rocking chair, work lndustriously at
nothing at all for many minutes;5u t
when three or four years of age. can
with time and patience, be taught to,
wear a thimble, thread a needle, and
make a garment for tiny doll. one of
those that is completed when two inche S
of running up the back, six inches
of hemming around the bottom, a
draw-String around the neck, and two
holes for the arms complete the dress,
and from this on to big dresses for big
dolls. which cover, when neatly made.
all the ground gone over on a larger
scale on a frock for herself, and then to
the machine where her own skirts and
aprons can be so quickly put together,
is all within the range of pleasant
possibilities. Stocking-darning must
be beguiled with storytelling, and
some Sugary reward, but should be
among the first lessons in repair
ing taught, and seven years is not too
early for girl to begin this part of her
education. only she should not be con-
fronted at the outset by some old stock
ing, gaping with rents, but rather with
a pair with Just the tiniest hole making
itself seen; then it will not be long be-
fore the mother can say: There, your
stockings are mended, and you can run
and play" and with cent to spend. or
cream-drOp or a caramel as a prize,
there Will he nothing unpleasant
connected with darning stockings, and
-e-f,. hot
garded as a disagreeable, If not hate
full task. In connection with the darn
ing, teach the daughter to leave off
stockings as soon as they begin to show
white patches through the inky line
now fashionable, for small holes
| are not so tiresome to fill up as
some great rent in the heel or knee.
The sewing Oh of shoe buttons is also
something that should come under the
daughters care at an early age, and she
should be taught that button off her
shoe is mark of great careleSsness and
untidineSs, aud it is more than likely
that stockings can be darned, shoe
buttons sewed on, and other repairs
made in the early hours of Sat
urdav morning and in no wise in
terfere with the hours for play, and
If this is begun right after breakfast
!
is restless, uneasy set of children in
the house or garden, teasing one
another, and asking more than once
.'What can Fdo now, mamma?" while
if little time has been spent in usefu
occupation. many things will suggest
themselves for the hours of recreation
Lessons in cookery can begin wheI
the little one accompanies the motheI
to the kitchen to help pat the bread, o.
roll out cookies or pie crust
and If a clean gingham apron
is provided for the cooking hour
and the hands are washed, and til,
tiny rOlling-pin and board passed unde
inspection in regard to their cleanli
ness, first lesson in neatnesS in cook
ing will be taught. Cake, bread ant
Discriminating can he pleasant,
taught when mother and daughte
work happily together, and it is wortl
while to be all smiles on baking day
for, after all. it is pot work of any kint
that is really irksome. only the way il
which it is taught to be done
and easy stages are so muci
better than spasmodic demand
upon time and attention, eSpe
, cialIy when all early training has peel
| neglected, and the daughter, throu Il
ignorance of them, abhorS all house
hold tasks. Marketing, the care of tn
J kitchen, its pantries and stores, an,
all branches of cooking should be taugh
as religious duties, when the daughte
is out of school; but these others are
} part of every girls education, evel
while most of her time is devoted t
books, music and the requirement 0
] other accomplishments.