Evening star., 1941-02-24
World Heaache Jealousy
Understand
Importance
Of Play
Respect Children's
Preoccupation in
'Make.Believes'
By Letfice Lee Street,

By Letfice Lee Street,
TIE hours that the little pre-
school child spends in happy play
are the most instructive and edu-
eational Of his short life. We give
serious thought to our child's first
school and sometimes forget that
an important part Of his education
precedes the first grade or kinder
garten. Play Is much more vital
activity than merely q means Of
keeping a child quiet by finding
amusement for him.
A child gives his intent preoccu-
patton in his acting in the wonder
full make believe world in which he
lives most of the time. 1t is up to
us to guide this absorption along
constructive, helpful lines. BY SO
doing we will further his ability to
reason, his imagination, his SELF
sufficiency and originality.
A childs home should be his TO
use and enjoy, he should not be
pushed aside for adults, or by a
mother who is too houSe-proud to
endure the sight of playthlngs about
He should be allowed one room
where he may build houses, tents,
bridges and so on with an old blanket
and pillows over up-turned chairs, OF
to construct railway stations or
whatever else takes his fancy. Inc
imaginative child will live the parts
of grownups, other children, fairles
and animals over and over.
Now, it is quite true that part
of his training should include his
being made to understand that when
the game is over that he must re-
turn to the world OF reahty ana
straighten up the mess ne has mace:
Out-of doors play, which Is, OF
course, the best, when the Weather
Is fine. does not require many toys
AS long as there are other chlloren
tn nlav with. The next time you
have the opportunity, watch the ac-
tivities of a band of soldiers as they
protect your home, look behlno
snow fort and see how seriously
{he small men inside enter INTO
battle. This solemn intensity that
MANY children bring to their play
is indicative of the Importance OF
play. ,,,,o
child feel surfeited, and he Will ma
pleasure in none. Nor are elaoo-
rate. expensive toys always the oeSV'
Manv times the child who owns
them misses the complete joy and
satisfaction there is in making ana
creating something for hlmsen'
homemade substitutes are often pet
ter for a child than expensive play
things. .ol, I,ir
AS your child develops, watch ms ms
tastes grow, and try to proVloe MN
1.itn the articles needed for stlmu-
I,s tn his taste. For example, a
little girl we know of had yearn-
inc as most little girls sometlmeS
do to become a trained nurse. Sne
had to have some equipment 10
nlav hospital" Her mother wisely
did not spend money on store-maoe
hospital accessories and a play uni
form. Instead, she and her little
daughter had the greatest fun col
lecting the necessities for a doll hos
pital right in the house. They filled
a few old bottles with water and
tea. they found cotton, a spoon, a
glass some adhesive tape and gauze,
sheet. towel and washcloth, and
nurses uniform was easily assem-
bled. The small girls imagination
ran riot, just as it should have, and
she and her little friends spent a
happy afternoon.
When your youngsters are intent
upon waiting on imaginary GUS
toners in their grocery store or
there is a very sick doll who must
be attended to, do not suddenly stop
their play. Give them fair warn
ing and let them finish the imme-
diate task in hand. After the last
sale has been rung up on the cash
register, ard the doll is tucked
warmly into bed, you will find that
your children will trot willingly off
to do your bidding, with no tears
or protestations.