Cheyenne record., 1918-12-19
Kindergarten
Helps for Parents
Articles Esssssd :, ~ Dseerfsnenf
ofEbe Interior. B.re0S Of EdncafSon
Observation-Disclosures
ABY's INTELLIGENCE
et MRS. HARRIET HELLER.

II was to obtain important infOrma-
tion one morning not long ago that
: yentured to ask admittance to beau
hful rose-embowered cottage across
the street from my new home.
"A charming young mother met me
at the door holding her baby on her
arm. She endeavored to answer my
question in a gracious and neighborly
way, but was constantly interrupted by
the child's cries.
While we stood there the infant was
gently changed from one arm to the
other, then put upon her shoulder.
Later when we We're seated within, she
rested her upon her knee in the time
honored position supposed to give COM
fort to disturbed dummies" All to
no purpose. The little one fused and
fused.
Quite naturally we fell to talking of
babies. The young mother was thor
oughly versed in modern lore; she
knew rules, regulations, symptoms,
remedies, foods and all the rest, and
was enthusiastic about the modern sci
ence of bringing up infants.
"As far as. / can, see, there is moth
ing the matter with her." she said.
''Possibly her teeth hurt her. She is
young to have teetfi, But sometimes
you know" and so on. The observa-
tion about the teeth was made in the
same tone of voice, with n purely i'm
personal infection, which she would
have used to say, 'The machine is cut
ting the thread"-as II teeth were
contrivanee to be adjusted by bolts
and screws. Not once in my presence
had she spoken to her baby.
Wanted to Be Noticed.
It was evident to me that her mod
ern training, while essentially desir-
able, had largely destroyed the fnstinc-
tive expression Of the natural mother.
To her, baby was primarily a mechan-
ism, and If she did not know Of any
mechanical means of correcting an up
set condition, she was quite at loss
what to do. Baby, for her part, it
seemed to me. was persistently deny
only something, but somebody. and she
wanted the fact recognized.
I thought at once Of the way Froe-
BEL the founder of the kindergarten,
shows us how to meet such a need in
his Mother Play book, and how l
wished I could try it. Just then the
young mother was called to the phone
and l seized my opportunity.
Miss Baby was comfortably depos-
tied on couch near me, hut after a
moment or two continued fretting and
ho .I, nj n r
over her I touched the little fists gent
ly. thinking this greeting, 'How do
/. you do, little one? You are getting to
be big girl, and you want some one
to know. I believe you want some one
to notice you and talk with you"
My touch must have aroused her no.
tice because she gave heed. I next
slipped my forefingers into the palms
Of her hands and baby-fashion she
gripped them "How do you like to
hold my fingers?" 1 asked. Very gent
ly then 1 began to raise her into a
sitting position and she smiled as she
felt her head leaving the pillow. When
she could hold on no longer she fell
back. Three times did this, allowing
her to fall back more quickly each
time. Baby enjoyed the slight shock
in falling, and in her little way, in
creased in strength and in the con-
sciousness of strength. She was now
perfectly satisfied; her need for recog-
milton and self-activity had been met.
. Song for Baby.
The conversation at the phone still
continued and while waiting I tried to
recall the song to sing with this little
game. In a few minutes. when baby
was ready to play Failing, Falling"
again, I sang softly, lifting her this
time by holding my hands at her back ::
Down goes baby.
Mothers pet;
Up comss baby,
Laughing yet.
Baby well may laugh at harm,
While beneath Is mothers arm.
Down goes baby