Evening star., 1936-07-07

Playthings
For Infants
Baby Needs Toys to
Help Develop
Senses.
Courtesy Modern Science Institute.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

BY ANGELO PATRI.
THE baby in his crib needs some
thing to amuse himself with, some
thing that will help him find his place
in the world that is so new to him. As
he uses his hands first the toy must be
one that he can grasp. A rattle that
makes a pleasant sound is a fine toy
for him. Remember he will put the
end Of it into his mouth and try to get
the head in. too, 50 be careful about his
cleanliness and It's smoothness. also its
hardness. He wants TO press his gums
against it, so 1t must be hard enough
and not too hard for that purpose.
His rattle is really an important toy
and should be selected with thought.
After his rattle he needs a ball. The
ball is to comfort his cropping, grasp
ing hand, fill it with contentment and
satisfaction. It must be small enough
to allow his hand to hold it in the cup
he makes with his palm and fingers.
1t must not be too small to prevent
his stretching his hand over it. And
it must be just right as to hardness.
Firmness is better word for babys
ball. Let it be firm enough to resist
his hand, but yielding enough to allow
him to get a good grip on it and
squeeze it.
This squeezing is good for the
growth of his hand. 1t will strengthen
the muscles and joints and give HIM
sureness of grasp that is just what
he needs. like to give the baby
smooth ball that can be washed. He
tests everything with his mouth, then
he tosses it on the floor. If the ball
is gaily covered with some knitted or
woven fabric he cannot put it in his
mouth with IMMUNITY. Give him the
rather firm, washable. handy ball and
let him see what he can do with it.
When he gets used to these two toys
he can have a string tied to his crib
to which the toys are attached. He
can be taught to haul them up and
toss them down again. He gets great
fun out of this and it prevents that
backbreaking game Of baby throw
down and mother pick up, that most
infants adore.
The toys children of tender years
need are those that develop their
senses. Instinctively the little ones
take to the things that train them in
experiences with eyes, ears, nose,
hands. They want to learn how
things feel, taste, smell, look, and they
use the toys that help them in this
field.
One Of the best ways to arrange for
this learning and for the games that
make 1t easy for the children, is to MI
a box or basket with odds and ends
that children like to handle. We be-
gin with few things, maybe only two,
ball and an animal toy, two different
shapes, two different colors, two diff
ferent smells and tastes. Gradually
we add to the collection, changing it
from time to time by additions or
subtractions.
This collection covers textures, COL
ors, weights, smells, temperatures.
There is difference in the tempera-
ture of the surface of linoleum and
fur so bits of these find their place in
the treasure chest. Train the little
one to amuse himself with his toys for
q brief period daily, without company.
AS he grows older place him and his
box on a rug in pleasant place and
let him amuse himself for half an
hour at O time. Increase the time Of
self suf1iciency as he grows so that by
the time he is and he plays con-
tentedly by himself. When he Is older
this habit will be of great help.
tCopyright 1850