Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-15

| TNOYS are an important part OF the Christ.
mas celebration II Is impossible 10
imagine n toyless holiday season where
there are children. The little folks await
with happy anticipation the dawnlng Of
the wonderful day that will add new boys
to their playrooma They nnd pleasure IN
any toy, but II has always been past my
understanding why the majority OF parents
display such bad judgment In the selection
Of the gifts for their children
! have seen nurseries filled with cxpen-
sive, meaningless toys. and have wished
that I might have "bu2zed" in the ears Of
these same fathers and mothers the kind
Of plnythngs they should have bought for
their young hopcfuls.
Toys are anything but frivolous things
They should not he selected In the mad
holiday rush without thought as to the
part they are TO play In the mental and
physical training of your child
Among the first to realize the importance
Of toys In the trimming of children was
the noted educator. Dr. Maria Montessorl
She evolved from her theories practical
method Of child development | wish that
every mother would read ut least one Of
the books on the Montessori method.
II IL natural for mother 10 want her
child TO attain physical perfection II she
~ n wise parent she will exert every effort
to assist nature In the process OF develop
mont An excellent means TO this end lies
In well-selectcd toys. Bear this In mind
when YOU buy Christmas gifts for your
"kiddIes." Recall the physical defects Of
the particular little one for whom you are
buying Il toy and let them influence your
selection.
Perhaps her shoulders are narrow and
she is Inclined TO have stopped shoulders.
Deep breathing and exercise will remedy
both physical conditions
II is Il well-known fact that the ma jorIty
of children do not initiate more than half
their lungs Deep breathing is essential to
robust health.
There h a sanatorium In France where
the patients are given flutes. bugles and
horns for the purpose of encouraging deep
breathing. Either OF these Instruments
would be n sensible gift for any child
Surely, the other members OF the family
Will close their ears to the noise In such
u good cause
Tenpns are good sport and splendid ex-
ercse as well. II they are large enough
you can teach your child series OF ex-
erclses using two of them as Indian clubs
spirited game Of tenpIns will stimulate
circulation and exercise the muscles of the
arms, legs and trunk. You will agree with
me after reading this that n set OF ten
pins IL most excellent Christmas gift for
"A child.
Archery is something that will appeaI
to the child Of ten or twelve. The arrows
that come with the bow are tlpped with
rubber suction caps and are virtually harm
less. They can be used in the playroom
or outdoors The youngsters will have
great fun imagining themselves Robin Hood
and his merry men. The use of the how
and arrow requires steadiness. and teaches
muscular control of the entire body. 1t
encourages grace and strength which alone
should recommend this game.
Tennis, however, holds first place among
exercises. Both girls and boys enjoy this
sport, and racquet and box OF tennis
balls would please any child. The racouets
are to be had in different weights. so that