The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-02
WOMAN,S REALM
 Your Children
By Olive Roberts Barton

The whole idea Of giving to chlIs dyen Is exenplified. I think, in the new way the Ladies Aid now packs boxes for the poor.
 For every useful gift, there is a toy.
 I would reverse this, for the ay. craze family, who can afford tq make the holiday one of genera! indulgence. For every toy, include a useful gift. Or if not exactly that, at least buy certain percentage of needed articles. But never, never would I make Christmas an ex- cuse for buying utilities only.
 PIaythings make Christmas, fol every child. And in buying these a few general rules should be needed. For the tot of two. three or four, big articles are best, and parttc- ularly those that encourage exer- else. Don't say that baby is too little to appreciate a doll-bugey. Maybe she is, as far as playing house is concerned; but for push ing and balancing and tot of fun, she is exactly the right age for one. The wagon is excellent for Johnny whether he has all the other wheeled vehicles or not. He learns a lot of things from a wagon. And 1t should not be too heavy, Or tire him out pulling 1t, but yet be big enough to make him work a bit.
 Developing Manual Deftness
 Blocks should be big. Balls, too. And soft animals for Juggling about. Strange that for so many years we gave the toddlers all the little things" and increased size with age. Now, it is four-year-old John ny who begins to be interested in smaller things, and we are choos- ing our gifts accordingly.
 I don't mean that he can't have 8 bigger and better wagon, or larger books or finer sled, but as he is learning to use his fingers, he will be interested in Tiddledy- Winks, for instance, and in jack straws and marbles. Anything that lets him manipulate those little digits of his. He likes to spin tops, and to make things out of plastic clay. :.
 He may take & shine to small doll or little monkey, now, rather than to the enormous one of his babyhood. He still likes size and power in his mechanical toys. and his sled and scooter, and 50 on, but he must also have these smaller things to satisfy his growing ability to create. This is the age when sets of low furniture come in just right. He, or she, will fairly wear out the little table and chairs.
 When Child Is Older
 People have the idea that chil- dren do not appreciate useful presents. Well, they do. almost al- ways. They adore the snow-suit Santa brought. The scarf or cap makes them doubly proud because 1t was in their stockings. Unless the child is surfeited with neces- sites, and this isn't likely, he will be thrilled by anything new. But he needs toys, as I said, just as much as he needs overshoes. Bet ter get the bright" necessities for Christmas. They help to make a gay day.
 The older child will tell you ex- actly what he wants. Please do not disregard this. He means what he says. And if 1t is within reach, get 1t. But I would not let him plan all his gifts.
 By this time, he is ready to go in for amateur hobbies too. May be camera will start him of on photography. or a stamp-album or a set of old coins, give him a new interest. Sports equipment may turn him to athletics, to his betterment. But don't surround him with po- tential future. Concede to desire. And give him some nonsense, too. He is still baby at heart. So IS the girl. Make Christmas merry. Copyright 1936, NEA Service, Incl