Milford chronicle., 1940-01-12
TOYs WINCH ARE Constructive
EMMA GARY WALLACE

EMMA GARY WALLACE
Many older people take it for
granted that children of the same
age are almost certain to enjoy play
ing with the same sort OF toys.
by way OF proof of this, they re-
mind us that the baby likes TO play
with a rattle or squeaky rubber
dog or doll or a ball, while older
little girls, for instance, are inter-
ested in dolls, the clothing of which
can be taken of and put on, and lit
tie boys are sure to be pleased with
wheeled toys.
There is no gainsaying these facts.
Nevertheless, young children of to-
day are admittedly farther advanced
mentally in a great many cases. than
children of the same age we're fifty.
thirty, or even twenty years ago.
The reason for this greater devel-
opment, age for age, is changing
times. The child OF today accepts the
automobile. the radio and the tele-
phone as a matter OF course. lie is
not astOnished in the least by what
would have amazed his grandparents
or his father or mother when they
were his age.
The fiVe-year-Old Is no longer con-
tent, for long. 10 sit ON the floor and
play with blocks which can be push
ed over very easily, wrecking the
structure even before II is completed !
lie wants something with which he
can make more lasting forms. A new I
kind OF block has come on the mar |
ket which has a locking device so |
that the pieces stay where they are /
put. This is more satisfying.
The head of u retail toy depart
ment recently explained TO the wri-
ter that toys which sold readily even
two or three years ago. now have
less appeal. while certain kinds OF
toys, which were not bought for
young children year ago. are now
in demand.
He explained that in his expert
ence, ii Wls the parents themselves
who we're delighted with electric
rains and things OF that kind. The
children liked to see them work q
lew times. and then they were ready
o go back to the acts with which
hey could make things with their
Iwn hands-mechanical erectOr sets.
fitting devices and toys which may .
ie used In various ways and for tlif- ,
erent purposes. This Is true, though ,
10 little child should be urged to :
'lay with such SETS When he is Z
eady for them. II they are at hand.
lc will make use OF them.
All this goes to show that the child I,
4 today is eager to work out his own
rOblems and to answer as well as
C can his own questions. The child
I today enters into his play as the
hid of years ago did not dream OF
ding. The child of an earlier time
ked to hear a story read and re- Il
cad and still read again and again. 4
very young child still enjoys this y
But 1t ~ different with little Madge q
no is thirty-eight months old She I,
ld the gift of a small book for T.
hristmas. When II was read TO her S,
he accompanied the reader the first Id
me, through the hook. When Santa e
as reported as having seated him fl
W In chair. she exclaimed quick ST
=, Santa tired!"--at the same time al
tttng down on a wee chair and re- L.
king rs she imagined he had done. Ia
hen ne was described as hiding rO
mind a door. she ran quickly and an
aged that role herself. and so on.
When the story was read to her an
ain, she did not wait to dramatiZe av
after II was read. She went ahead SO
the reader, remembering clearly he
lat came next. Madge had watched fol
+ older sister enact little plays ge
d had amused herself by acting SCI
me she had heard over the radio
lis had given her a very clear idea Sa
what 10 do and how to do H. pa
rhe child OF today Is not passive. Ga
is active. dynamic. imaginative. the
lie does not wait to be saI
used; he prefers 10 take part in Snl
atever is going on. With n very we
lie suggestion and leadership and of
right sort of things TO work with, {
age-0ld cry. What can do Ma
y?"--is likely to be heard less and DuJ
, frequently. In many homes Il oni
already ceased. ACT