The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-11-03
CHANGING WORK
INTO PLAY
FLORENCE S. STUDEBAKER

"What can l do to induce my child
to work willing and gladly?" a care
worn woman asked the group at a
Child Study Club one night. 81 seem
to be one of those unhappy mothers
who struggle with sulky dishwashers.
Frankly, I'd rather do the work myself
than to always find my kitchen in a,
mess-sink unwashed, stove untily and
the floor unswept."
The president nodded understand
ingly. eyes, if the matter involved
only ourselves and the present, any
mother might be justified in this atti-
tude. l believe we are agreed, how
ever, that not only the pampered
child but any child who has learned to
assume no responsibility goes forth in
to adult life wholly unprepared for it's
duties. Ladies, what advice have you
to offer on Mrs. Wild's problem?"
Mrs. Newton, radiant little mother
of six boys and girls, smiled upon the
group. 81 hesitate to give my expert
ence, it seems so simple, but it has
worked so beautifully in our family
, that l think l should pass it on. l
itoo, had to solve a problem like Mrs.
9Wild's, with regard to sulky dish
washers. One day, after particularly
trying argument for the purpose of
deciding who should do each particular
part of the task, l walked into the
kitchen and asked, "How would you
like to have me tell you story while
your work ?" A shout of approval went
up and l began the story of using a
small installment each day. 1t work.
ed like charm. The children began
to look forward to the kitchen hour
with enthusiasm, and I-well, l have
grown to appreciate that hour in the
kitchen so much that 1 wonder how l
ever managed the home without it."
"But what about other household
duties which demand your attention
at this time?" questioned Mrs. Mays.
eyes, I'll confess at first it was a
bit 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 i'm
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? 1t is always story?" asked the
president.
Sometimes l have musical guessing
contests. | hum the tune of hymn,
some classical number or some song
that the children love, and they guess
the title and name the author. Lately,
they have taken up new interest; we
|have been discussing how dishes are
made, and there has been request
for talks on Where our groceries come
from. Really, there's almost an end
less array of possibilities for this hour
if one will do little thinking and
planning. assure you the children
find it lot more fun than wrangling
over the dishes as they used to do.
Now they are beginning to enjoy clear
ing up after meals. For them this
work has been changed into play"
"Since Mrs. Newton has told her eX
perience, l want to tell you of one
| had with Robert when he first be-
gan moving the lawn" said Mrs.
Pond. " l think the most important
occupation of a parent lies in helping
a child to develop SO that he will be
able to carry responsibility. Every
time he is eager to see task through
to the finish, gain has been made.
Sometimes parents assign too heavy
a responsibility, think; this tends to
discourage children.
Roberts began moving the lawn
with lot of enthusiasm but very soon
began to lose interest, and once when
l was away he refused to go back and
finish his work. Finally, l conceived
the plan of making streets and NAM
ing them, marking off with neat
swathes the amount he thought he
should attempt in given time. When
l suggested this plan, it awakened new
interest. Now he marks off his streets
AYithout any help and takes great pride
IDh finishing his self-made assignment"