The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-01-15
kindergarten
Helps for Parents
Articles Issued BY the Depar f71enf
OF The Interior. Bureau of Education
and the
National Observation-Disclosures
WORK AND PLAY TOGETHER
BY MRS. PRESTON +. eAss.

years require the CUiupaulOLSlilp Vi
other children in work and play as
much as those of recognized kinder
garten age. The child of two is in
tensely interested in the activities of
children four, five and six years old.
and is able to initiate, enlarge his
knowledge and experience, and even
share in their activities. The activi
ties of the adults about him, while they
can be initiated and in some measure
shared by him, cannot have the same
value in his mental or physical devel
opment.
When daddy saws a large board witt
large saw, the twO-year-Old is inter
ested; but when the four-year-old saws
small board with small saw, pos
sibly making some toy that will bo
used by the little one. he is more thai
interested-he saws wood as soon a
he can. Watch an adult try to amust
this two-year-old with a new box O.
blocks. Invariably the blocks are pilet
high for steps. towers. arches and S,
forth, and the little child finds grea
delight in sending the blocks tumblins
with crash to the floor. He take,
no particular pleasure in the buildins
of one block upon another, and VIZ
think he has not yet reached the ag'
for building. Now the group of Older
children making structures with thcs'
same blocks do not pile them one UP
on another. but lay them side by side
to form the walls of a house for the
doll or barn for the woolly dog. Ant
Immediately the little one is interest
ed, not in tumbling the blocks down
however, but in laying them beside
each other, one after another.
In Any Home.
Many mothers realize this need O.
their children to have group activity
but know of no way in which to brin:
the group together until they are read
for the regular kindergarten. 1t cal
be accomplished in almost any home
however, if the mother is willing to de
vote a few hours a day to workin:
and playing with the children in tn
immediate neighborhoOd under schoO
age, or those at home for the long sum
nler vacation.
Whenever the weather will permit
activities are best carried on out o
doors and very little equipment is nee
essary; q sand pile, if possible, an IN
used Kitchen table, or wide board lait
on any available foundation, with box
es for seats or the little chairs whicl
each child may bring from home. The
materials already on hand for use b.
the children in the home. such as balls
bean bags. blocks, Mother Goose ant
| other story books, viii serve the who'll
group. The other mothers of the neigh
borhood are sure to be willing to con
! tribute for the use of all, materials
which their own children possess, anf
| each child can bring some of his pen
MES for the purchase of paper, paste
crayons, and so forth.
Fortunately, when we built our six
room bungalow we provided a nursery
for our little ones, large practical
room with fireplace and built-iI
shelves, so that our group found space
for all indoor activities there. An!
room not needed for other purposes at
the time of the school session mlgnl
be used equally well.
AS a center for outdoor work and
play, we bad sandpile under the
trees. This had been left by the build
ers. and to close it in the children dug
trenches on four sides, into which we
| inserted planks.
Baby Center of Attr action.
For pets we had goldfish, mother
bunny with little ones. and our OWE
tiny baby of three months. The baby
| served as a center for many of oul
doings; many times our songs were
sung to him, our houses of blocks made
! for him. our table constructed for him
| The children watched him grow
| through the months and he was the
real handspring of our group life.
! Since the group was made up OF
children of varying ages. each younger
| child depended on an older for leader
ship, assistance and consideration
The acknowledgement learned t.
lend a hand to the four-year-olds ant
to be patient and kind with the littles
/ ones.
Having neghborhood nurser.
! school has a tremendous advantage fol
/ the busy mother who has difficulty il
finding time for uninterrupted worl
and play with her own child. Children
will play .contentedly together for Ion:
hours, especially if they are provided
with a few materials to work with
And as the hours of the nursery schoo
are known in the vicinity, the children
confine their visits more and more tt
/ this time. The whole routine of house
! work is accomplished more quickly am
in better spirits when at the same tim'
! the mind is occupied with the learnin.
of stories, finger plays, songs, games
and so forth. and on the planning o
work for the children.
The nursery neighborhood school no
/ only affords the busy mother in thu
ordinary home means of giving tn,
! right kind of training to her own child
i but it provides the opportunity TO
! knowing, in an intimate and UNUSUAL.
happy relationship, the children VIII
i are to be his playinates for humble
i of years.
- - l.