THIS book has a purpose beyond that of mere amusement. Its aim is
to aid parents in furnishing not only entertainment but profitable
employment as well, for their little ones—profitable, in that work
under the guise of play, makes for character. The value of the things
made is not in their finish, but in the training which they afford—a
value ethical rather than intrinsic.
Children throw aside as uninteresting the finished toys from the shops
when they have once learned to make playthings for themselves. To an
imaginative child the possibilities of green things growing, of other
materials provided by the changing seasons, and of the apparently
useless trifles to be found in any home, are endless, and far surpass
in permanent interest the realm of magic. In giving tangible form to
the creatures imagined, thought is ripened into action and childhood’s
natural desire for expressed imagery satisfied.
In making use of these apparently inappropriate materials in the
construction of their own toys resourcefulness is engendered, practical
intelligence stimulated, the inventive faculty cultivated, sympathetic
acquaintance with nature broadened, and manual dexterity increased—all
of which will later in life prove of inestimable value.
Then, too, such employment strengthens, or in some instances, creates
the ability to get pure enjoyment out of the near at hand little
things, which makes for permanent happiness.
The whole nature of a child cries out for self activity. Producing by
his own efforts something that satisfies his own needs gives him the
keenest possible pleasure, and puts into him that energy which results
in love of work.
There is no more interesting study for grown ups than that of
children at play with dolls and animals of their own making. The
more imaginative children prefer the flower dolls which fade or die
quickly and then go to take their places in the sky to which they
give the beautiful colors on sunset evenings. Others, natural little
gad-a-bouts, always play “come to see,” while in some practical little
souls the spirit of motherhood is so strong that, to them, every doll
is a baby doll, and everything they play with, from a clothes-pin to a
poker, must be mothered—sung to and cared for, petted and rocked.
Boys, with their more belligerent tastes, prefer to make Indians and
soldiers out of the same materials that their sisters would convert
into the most peaceful of citizens. Those in whom the sense of humor
is strong make every face a comic one, while others put into the faces
drawn by them the demure, trivial, or rugged features and expressions
harmonizing with their ideas.
An effort has been made to furnish in these pages suggestions for all
sorts and conditions of children. The songs and jingles are for those
who like to make rhymes, or to sing about everything that they do.
Only a few of the dolls and animals children can make for themselves
have been suggested. The possibilities of the subject are by no means
exhausted.