South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-08-04
TEACH CHILDREN
HOUSEHOLD TASKS
Boys and Girls Alike Should
Learn to Help With Domestic
Routine.

"Idleness begets mischief" especial
~ where small fingers are concerned.
Fortunately the present-day mothers
are endeavoring to keep the children
busy. either through directed play or
helping. And what a problem it
often is when a child asks, many times
over in a day Mother. what shall 1
do nOw?" 10 refuse 10 find an Occupa-
ton for the small questioner. especial
ly when ne or she wishes TO help,
would be against all the laws OF lat
ter-day chlld-training. and so, If
mother has no real task TO be done,
she must needs invent something.
Not only girls should be allowed
and taught to assist with household
tasks; boys shOulG have part in
them too, and should be made TO feel
the responsibility and obligations of
the home life and domestic routine,
III they are 10 grow up into considerable
husbands, sons and fathers. AT an
early age children are not seX-cOn-
sciOus, unless made so by that unfor-
tunate division OF tasks and games.
This mistake is often made by moth
eTs and fathers who are not aware
that the foremost child educators con-
slider IL important for the boy, up to
a certain age, 20 be made as familiar
with sewing. cooking and domestic
sciences as the little girl A division
of labor and occupation Will neces-
sarily come later, but il should come
naturally and be In nc way forced.
boy should be taught TO respect the
work carried on daily by his mother
ans sisters, and finally by his wife.
There should be no contempt instilled
into his little mind for girls work
Some OF the most progressive schools
are giving boys and girls alike les
sons in sewing and cooking.
Teach Babies to- Cook.
One patient and wise mother OF
domestically inclined tot taught the
little one so we'll that al four years of
age she could cook remarkably well
and at seven could follow any Ordi-
nary recipe COokboOks compiled
especially for children can be obtain
ID at any well-stOcked book store. 1t
S surprising. too. how interesting an
apparently monotOnOus task can be
made If one attempt TO answer all the
questions regarding il that are pro-
pounded by little helpers. one Will
Ind that there is more to know about
common tasks than one dreamed. 1t
Mill benefit both mother and child If
the mother will make II rule TO
look up" any point on which she is
doubtful.
child's love of work should be |
encouraged by loving acceptance of /
It's offers of services If one wishes /
hat child 10 be>a willing worker later |
on, when its assistance Will be or more |
material value. For this reason, too, /
the child should not be required to |
fatigue itself with any task; neither |
should il be permitted TO stop on ac- |
count of a too early cry of being /
tired. Gentle persuasion, or bring |
ing a new interest into the work by /
The help of story regarding the task |
Itself. or a history of the manufac-
ture of the materials involved, viii |
usually remedy this last failing. Chill |
dren Of cheerful willing workers are /
usually of the cheerful, willing type, |
go strong is a little child's tendency |
20 initiate.
Children Learn Fancy Work.
II has now become no uncommon
thing for young children to cross
stitch and outline beautifully, boys |
and girls alike. one interested moth
pr in q community has a "thimble [
club" OF little girls from four years
up. meeting at her house once eVery
two weeks, TO mend old clothes TO be
given away. The variety o. pam
sewing that those youngsters can do
Is remarkable.
There are any number Of things
small child can do about the house
and garden if il is DESTROYS OF helping.
Even two-year-Old can shell peas.
Little children can go errands up ana
down stairs or 10 the garden, run the
egg beaten. turn the cream whipper.
dry the small dishes, spoons, forks
and silver knives (the silver ones only
because they are blunt), turning wa
ter on or of as needed busting weed
lng the garden. watering the plants.
The child should have a little water
ing can Of its own. Pansies, sweet
peas. nasturtiums and all flowers
which have to be picked daily TO per-
feet their bloom vii furnish endless
occupation for the small gardner. A
child OF four can be taught to air the
beds. especially in summer when the
bed clothing is light in weight. And
there are ever so many other tasks
with which little fingers can be trust
Pd