Milford chronicle., 1938-11-11
CHANGING WORK INTO PLAY
Florence S. studebaker

| EtNhNHNN sIs t1tuuNpaANA
What can do to induce my child
to work willingly and gladly?' care
worn woman asked the group at a
Child Study Club one night. Il seem
to be one of those unhappy mothers
who struggle with sulky dishwashers
Frankly, I'D rather do the work my
self than to always find my kitchen
in a mess-sink unwashed, stove
untidy and the floor unswept.'
The president nodded understand
ingly. Yes, if the matter involved
only ourselves and the present, any
mother might be justified in this at
titude. | believe we are agreed how
ever, that not only the pampered child
but any child who has learned to
assume no responsibility goes forth
into adult life wholly unprepared for
its duties. Ladies; what advice have
you to offer on Mrs. Wild's prOblemg
Mrs. Newton, a radiant little mo-
ther of six boys and girls, smiled up
on the group Il hesitate TO give my
experience, it seems so simple, but il
has worked so beautifully in our fam
lily that l think / should pass it on.
I. too, had to solve a problem like
Mrs. Wild's, with regard to sulky
dishwashers. One day. after parti-
cularly trying argument for the pur-
pose of deciding who should do each
particular part of the task, | walked
INTO the kitchen and asked, How
would you like to have me tell you
story while you work?" A shout Of
L Nn1nn fhN
story using a small installment each
day. It worked like a charm. The
children began to look forward to the
kitchen hour with enthusiasm, and
I-weH, | have grown to appreciate
that hour in the Kitchen so much that
wonder how 7 ever managed the
home without it."
But what about other household
duties which demand your attention
at that time?" questioned Mrs. Mays.
''Yes, I'll confess at first II was
hit hard to put off work that seemed
to demand my attention, but decided
this hour Of comradeship with the
children at their work was more inn
portant, so | plan for myself during
that hour in the kitchen some small
tasks which do not interfere with the
story"
''Do you ever vary the material you
use? Is it always a story? asked |
the president.
Sometimes l have musical guess
ing contests. hum the tune OF
hymn, some classical number or some |
song that the children love, and they 4
guess the title and name the author.
I.ately. they have taken up new in
terest; we have been discussing now
dishes are made. and there has been
a request for talks on Where our
come FROM Really. there's
almost an endless array of possible
lities for this hour if one will do
little thinking and planning. | as
sure YOU the children find it a lot
more fun than wrangling over the
fishes as they used to do. Now they
are beginning to enjoy clearing up
after meals. For them this work has
been changed into play"
"Siuce Mrs. Newton has told her
experience, want to tell you OF one
/ had with Robert when he first be-
ran moving the lawn" said Mrs.
Pond. IL think the most important
of parent lies in helping
| child to develop so that he will be
lble to carry responsibility. Every
ime he is eager to see a task through
o the finish. gain has been made.
parents assign too heavy
responsibility. ! think; this tends
o discourage children.
Robert began moving the lawn
With a lot of enthusiasm but very
Don began to lose interest, and once
Then was away he refused to go
ack and finish his work. Finally.
conceived the plan Of making
treets and naming them. marking
n with neat swathes the amount he
hought he should attempt in given
ime. When ! suggested this plan,
. awakened new interest. Now he {
marks off his streets without any
elp and takes great pride in finish I
ig his self-made assignment"