The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-01-16
Kindergarten
Helps for Parents
Arf6cles lssDa6ty ~ Dapnrsmens
/ ~ III lnfesjov. BsreoH Of Education
On6 TIE
Nsetoa <As1svEsriesAssock1fso
BABY,s INTELLIGENCE
sy MRS. HARRIET HELLER.

II was TO obtain important informa
ton one morning net long ago that
ventured to ask admittance TO n beau
tffui rose- empowered cottage across
the street from my new home
| charming young mother met M
at the door holding her baby on hel
arm. she endeavored to answer m,
question in gracious and neighbcri,
| way, but was constantly interrupted b,
the child's cries.
| While We stood there the infant wa:
gently changed from one arm to the
other, then put upon her shoulder
Later when we were seated within, she
rested her upon her knee in the time
honored position supposed to give com
fort to disturbed dummies" All t.
no purpose. The little one fused and
K, Quite naturally we fell to talking OF
babies She 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 teeth, but sometimes
you know" and so on. The obserya-
ton about the teeth was made In the
same tone of voice, with a purely i'm
personal infection, which she would
have used to say, 1.-THE machine is cut
ting the thread"--as If teeth were a
contrivance to be adjusted by bolts
and screws. Not once in my presence
had she spoken to her baby. r.
Wanted to BE Noticed.
It was evident to me that her mod
erp training, while essentially desir-
able, had largely destroyed the instinc-
tive expression of the natural mother.
To her, baby was primarily mechan-
ism, and If she did not know of any
mechanical means of correcting an up
set condition, she was quite at a loss
what - do. Baby, for her part. it.
seemed to me, was persistently deny
Ing this classification. She was not
only something, but somebody, and she
wanted the fact recognized.
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 / could try it. Just then The
young mother was called to the phone
md ! seized my opportunity.
Miss Baby was comfortably depos-
ted on couch near me. but after q
moment or two continued fretting and
ossing her hands restlessly. Leaning
,ver her touched the little fists gent
", thinking this greeting. How do
'ou do. little one? You are getting to
'e big girl, and you want some one
o know. I believe you want some one
o notice you and talk with you"
Ny touch must have aroused her no.
Ice because she gave heed. / next
Tipped my forefngers into the palms
f her hands and baby-fashion she
ripped them. How do you like to
old my fingers?" l asked. Very gent
' then I began to raise her into
cit her head leaving the pillow. When
he could hold on no longer she fell
ack. Three times l did this, allowing
er to fall back more quickly each
me. Baby enjoyed the slight shock
! falling, and I'm her little way In
reased in strength and in the con-
,iousness Of strength. She was now
erfectly satisfied; her need for recog-
Ition and self-activity had been met.
Song for Baby.
The conversation at the phone still |
and while waiting I tried to |
call the song to sing with this little
lme. In few minutes, when baby
as ready to play 'Falling, Falling"
gain, sang softly, lifting her this
me 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,
Without fear;
Up comes baby
Gaily here.
All is joy for baby while
In the light of mothers smile.
Upon her return the little mother
pressed great admiration for my
III as bahy-charmer. 1T was quite
nple," said and described what had
opened. She was much interested
Il wanted to know more about Froe-
rs Mother Play. 5ee
A few days later when she came to
Il 4 had my old worn copy of the
,ther Play ready to show her. 1t
rprfsed her to learn that this book
Itch Is used so much by kindergar
lers WAS written especially for moth
with children up to six years old,
4 she listened eagerly ms I showed
/ the six or seven games which
py might play. My new nc
thanked me- most APP
'eiatively Tor the help had given
and when she left she carried the
lie book away with her tucked under
arm.
Lower Now.
Here are dozen eggs"
- 4