Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-01-10
Problems
With the Children
Issued by the National Ktnderyar-
ten Association, 8 West 4Oth St,
New York City
In the Children's
Room
BY LYDIA LION ROBERTS

Tie most interesting kind OF
children's room is one that Is never
wholly completed, that holds an ele-
ment of anticipation because some
new feature is always being planned
or worked upon. II the children them
selves have the larger part in this en-
chanting process, the room will be-
come. for them, very satisfying.
The play table may be made most
unusual and fascinating. If it is trans
formed into n poetry table. First be
sure there is no oil or wax on the
surface "Wax-off" will quickly remove
it. If this is not available, consult 4
painter Let the children collect from
papers and magazines, or have typed.
enough poems that they really like to
cover the top. Help them to glue the
poems to the table, arranging them
with spaces between so they may be
easily read and an artistic effect be
produced. Shellac, or if one of the
children is old enough let him shellac,
the whole top, giving it several coats
so that a hard, smooth finish is OBJ
tanned. Be sure to use white shellac,
and test its drying qualities on and
around a small piece of paper, later
TO be covered by a poem, pasted on
this same table. before the shellacking
is undertaken.
A table like this will be of unending
ulltltSl W Tie CllllultIl, anu IL may Dt
used for ordinary activities without
detriment to the poems.
Another exciting project for the
children's bedroom or playroom is a
scrapbook screen. An inexpensive
screen with pasteboard panels is the
foundation, and having this, the fun
of choosing its decorations will begin.
The panels Of one such screen were
completely covered on both sides with
bright colored pictures and copies OF
famous paintings. One young boy had
for his screen, enlisting his fathers
help to procure pictures of seacraft
large and small, Of various countries
and representing those from early days
down to the latest ocean liner. An
other attractive screen was made by
using magazine covers. Mother and
father raised the question Of harmony
and good choices were made.
If there is a couch in the children's
name couch cover or pillow top pro-
vides an interesting experience. The
children ask playmates, friends, or
relatives to write their names with
pencil on separate squares of I'M
bleached cotton cloth or any strong.
fadeless, washable material of plain
color, and then they outline each name
color. When enough squares are ready
they are sewn together. The children
will need help when this is finished
for they will be ready for the lining
A variation of this project would be
to have the contributors draw animals
instead of writing their names. The
effect produced is sometimes far from
artistic, but it is usually amusing
Either of these covers will last for
years and be a continual source OF
interest to the children.
On the wall of the children's room
each year may be hung a personal
calendar with monthly pages made BY
the children as the year progresses
1t will require ~ large oblongs OF thin
cardboard or heavy paper. The days
of the month may be printed on each,
or leaves taken from any advertising
calendar. of suitable size, may be at
tached. On the blank portions of the
sheets. the children fasten their best
school work for that month, using
drawings. number work papers. o.
any other records of achievement
which have received good marks or
are for some other reason worthy of
the space. Records Of special family
occasions or a brief diary of events
may be written or printed on white