Evening star., 1934-02-19

IV the store" proudly an
4 nounced a little boy the
day the children in the
kindergarten were discussing various
people who helped the community.
Immediately interest centered in the
grocer. Many questions were asked
about the source and delivery OF food
and it was decided to visit the nearby
grocery to learn more about the
grocer and his work.
While visiting the store, one of the
children suggested building a grocery
store In the kindergarten room. En-
thusiasm Immediately seized the group.
Every one began to plan it. Seeing
some orange crates, they decided upon
these for shelves. The grocer gladly
supplied them. The need of q large
counter presented itself and they de-
cided to use a radio box for this.
The children noted the boxes were
made OF wood and many questions
were asked about the source of wood
Great interest was evidenced in the
fact that the boards in these boxes
came from trees. The imaginative
faculty of each child was stirred by
pictures of men cutting down trees in
the great forests. They also gained a
realization of how many people helped
before the lumber was ready for dis
tribution. Keen interest was mani
tested in the fact that lumber was
used In the construction of buildings
and furniture. Enthusiasm was thus
awakened in the work Of the carpen-
ter Reports were given Of watching
carpenters at work in various parts of
the neighborhood.
Parents Help.
The supplies with which to stock
the grocery store shelves next claimed
the attention of the group. Empty
boxes and cartons which had con-
tanned food for the family were
brought in. as well as many packages
still unopened which parents sNnt IN
order to help stock the store. Real
fruit and vegetables were brought in.
These captured the attention Of the
group. Where did they come from?
How did they get here? These ques-
tions were often asked. Through pic
lures and discussion, the children be-
came conversant with the sources and
transportation Of the food supply o.
the city, and the relation which exists
between city people and country
people.
Keen interest centered In the re-
frigerator car which brought from the
South the fresh vegetables and fruit
placed in the store. All the children
we're well acquainted with the ice
man and were therefore interested in
the subject of ice-how it was made,
where it was made and its use.
The paper bags created general In
terest. Questions were frequently
asked about the source of paper. The
fact that the pulp used in the making
of paper came from trees and rags
and that it was made by many men
at a paper mill interested the group.
They we're quick to realize the many
uses Of paper in their own expert
ence-painting and drawing paper,
newspapers that father and mother
read and the utilization Of paper in
the making Of books.
Butter Captivates Interest.
Bottles of milk, cheese boxes and
butter cartons created interest in the
work OF the milk man. A trip to the
United States Soldiers Home farm
was planned. The group was deeply
interested in the farmer and his
horses and cows. On the return home
cream was purchased and butter was
made in kindergarten. Each child
had an opportunity to churn, and
great was the delight when the great
yellow Jumps Of butter appeared. The
graham crackers for lunch had an
added appeal when spread with the
butter they had made.
A little girl brought a loaf of bread
for the store. This stimulated inter-
est in the work of the farmer, the
miller and the baker. The bakery
was visited. The baker in his white
apron and cap with trays Of cookies
and gingerbread men led the children
to q knowledge and an appreciation
of the planting, harvesting, milling
and uses of wheat.
Ruisdael's famous picture, THE
Windmill" and Millet's masterpieces,
1.-The Sower," The Cleaners" and
Feeding Her Birds" one Of the most
appealing pictures to children be-
cause it shows q mother feeding her
little ones, captured the attention of
the entire group. They aroused the
children's curiosity and stimulated
them to creative expression. An in
fluence emanated from the work of
these masters which animated the
children's interest in the people Of
other lands. They were interested in
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Is Johnnys It's G