The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-11-17
CHILDREN
BY MEANS OF PLAY
(By Mrs. C. W.. Savage.)

Is there a kindergarten III .youl
community?
No? Then why not practice kim
dergarten principles in your home ?
I do not mean by this that you must
sit down and devote every second Tor
three hours to your children. But
teach YOUR child while you are about
your work. Teach him through play.
Today play is considered a great
factor in education. "Play is the ex.
preston of awakening instincts"
Watch your little girl with her doll
The doll is her baby and she is it's
mother. Through this play she is de-
veloping the instinct Of mother love.
Watch your little boy playing store or
fireman. He, too, is preparing for tu-
ture manhood. Let US then teach
through play.
It is an acknowledged fact that the
KINDERGARTEN gives child certain adj
vantages, by cultivating self-confi-
dence, the power of observation, orig
inality of thought and other DUAL
tiles. Let us see if it is not possible
for the mother to develop similar char
acteristics at home.
First, Self-confdence: If the child
asks to help with the dishes, make
the bed, or perform other little tasks,
do not be too busy to listen to the re-
quest. Accept the offer of assistance
with thanks, even if the work takes
longer or needs to be done over. Re-
member this is one Of the ways of de-
veloping elf-confdence and helpful
ness. Discouragement will not cult
vate self-confdence.
Second, Ability to memorize. and
think: Children love anything rhyth-
mic, whether the words are under
stood or not. Repeat or sing nursery
rhymes and jingles to the children.
Soon they will be repeating and sing
ing them after you. Find the time dur
ing the day to read or tell them stor-
les. Every child loves story, espec-
tally if acted out.
Third, Love of Nature: When out
for walks teach the children about the
trees, flowers. and birds. Nature can
be known and loved in the parks OF
the city, as we'll as in the woods and
fields of the country. And reading
nature stories supplements the first
hand knowledge the children are gain
ing, thus adding to their interest and
appreciation.
Fourth, Observation: This can be
cultivated by giving child maya
zines, calling his attention to the diff
ferent pictures and pointing out every
detail. Then, as he studies for him.
self, not one thing in a picture. nc
matter how small. will escape his eye,
And he will become observant not only
of pictures, but of everything else
about him.
Fifth, Originality: With blocks, the
sandpile or plasticine, (the latter can
be purchased at stores carrying school
supplies) a child can be instructed in
the making of various objects. Soon
he will branch out for himself, doing
really creative work.
Sixth, Cleanliness and Orderliness:
A child should be commended for pick
ing up his toys when he has finished
his play. having it impressed upon
him that these toys are his response
bility. If notice is taken of his clean
face and hands before and after meals,
then constant reminding will not be
necessary. Kind and gentle apprecia-
ton is an inspiration. Fretful criti-
cism disheartens.
With my little two and half year
old daughter, I have followed the
Kindergarten thought. including the
above suggestions, and the results
have been most successful.