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HOME OCCUPATIONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
by
BERTHA JOHNSTON
Editor of the "Kindergarten Magazine"
Assisted by
FANNY CHAPIN
Former Kindergarten Director of the Chicago Latin School
[Illustration]
Philadelphia
George W. Jacobs & Co.
Publishers
Copyright, 1908
By George W. Jacobs & Co.
Published October, 1908
All rights reserved
Printed in U. S. A.
Teach him. He is naturally clever. From his earliest years, when he
was a little fellow only so big, he would build mud houses, carve
out boats, and make little wagons of leather, and frogs out of
pomegranate rinds, you can't think how cleverly.
_Aristophanes_, 421 B. C.
PREFACE
The plan of this book has special reference to the Mother when comes the
woful plaint, "I don't know what to do! Mama, what can I do now?"
Is she busy in the kitchen? She has right there material for the little
one's happy employment. Is she mending the stockings? She can give him
needle and thread and, with the aid of this book, a word of suggestion.
In spare moments both mother and children can together prepare papers,
cards, etc., for future occasions.
It will be found upon examination that although some of the articles
described herein require material peculiar to certain localities, very
many more may be made of things to be found in every home, whether the
city flat or the remote country homestead. Usually a choice is possible.
One may use the cardboard, paper, etc., saved from the scrap-basket or
may send to supply houses for material partially prepared. It is an
undoubted advantage for the child to be trained to see the possibilities
in the raw material lying at hand. It stimulates his inventive
imagination and makes for efficiency and the power to cope with
emergencies.
The child accustomed to looking upon odds and ends of wire, paper,
weeds, seeds, and grasses as hiding delightful secrets which he may
learn to unravel and utilize, may be readily trained to regard all
Nature as a vast storehouse open to his investigation, and a continual
source of inspiration.
The child, habituated to mastering the raw material of his immediate
environment, will not be discomfited if thrown upon an unknown shore,
whether arctic or tropical. He will recognize everywhere about him
possibilities for shelter, food, clothing, and transportation and will
know how to use them.
But the child must be trained to perceive the beautiful and the ideal as
well as the useful. Into each article here described, even the simplest,
enter the elements of beauty, proportion, harmony of line and color, and
good, true workmanship, leading surely, even if unconsciously, to an
appreciation of the best wherever found.
In making an article as a gift for child or adult, thought for others is
cultivated and the frequently needed help of older brother or sister
encourages the spirit of goodwill and kindliness.
The festival occasions are especially valuable in developing the sense
of interdependence and large-mindedness.
Among a people proverbially wasteful it is certainly the part of wisdom
to train the child to economy for the sake of future service. The
contents of the city garbage barrel are found by business men to be
worth sorting and classifying and everything proves to be of some use.
Why should not the child be taught, before throwing away the discarded
picture book, to ask if there is not a use for it still? A nation so
trained will preserve its forests and save its Niagaras. It will see
things material and things spiritual in their true relations.
We would suggest that a little cupboard be placed within easy reach of
the child. Here he may keep his own scissors, paste, pencil and papers,
ready for use when the propitious moment of inspiration seizes him.
Too much exactness must not be required of the very young child, but as
fast as he is able to do good work insist upon the best of which _he_ is
capable. Train him always to try to surpass himself. Above all, let him
be happy in the doing.
The ideas offered in this volume have been garnered from various
sources. Practical experience in the home has suggested many, and actual
daily work in the kindergarten has given rise to others. A few, such as
the thimble biscuit party and croquet with peas, are among the
recollections of happy childhood.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the obligation to Miss Fanny Chapin, of
Chicago, a kindergartner of long experience, for the comradeship of
thought which made the book possible. Miss Chapin also contributed the
directions for making feather flowers, many of the holiday suggestions,
and other items scattered through the book.
The conversion of corks into a set of furniture was learned from a
German playmate twenty-five years ago. Imagine the interest with which
we discovered a set, almost identical, at the German exhibit of the
recent International Kindergarten Union.
The candlesticks of tin or cardboard, brightened with colored
tissue-paper, varied to suit particular occasions, is a regular feature
of the festival dinners at the Gertrude House, Chicago.
To one and all to whom, consciously or unconsciously, we may be indebted
for any suggestions, we express our thanks.
A perusal of this little volume will show that it is far from exhaustive
of the topics treated. It is largely a book of suggestion. If it
stimulates the child to new investigations and experiments along similar
lines; if it reinforces the spirit of brotherly kindness in the home; or
if it helps to solve any of the problems of the mother, the hopes of the
authors will be accomplished.
BERTHA JOHNSTON.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. The Secrets of the Market Basket 11
II. Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty 39
III. Saved from the Scrap Basket 53
IV. The Sewing-Basket 69
V. The Paint Box 73
VI. Dolls and Doll-Houses 80
VII. Plays and Games 92
VIII. Festival Occasions 107
IX. The Key Basket 141
X. The Child's Library 149
XI. Kindergarten Materials--The Gifts 155
XII. " " --The Occupations 164
CHAPTER I
THE SECRETS OF THE MARKET BASKET
The busy but thoughtful mother will find in the contents of the market
basket many possibilities for happily employing the creative instinct of
her child. We give a few suggestions which demand activity of both mind
and body.
STRAWBERRY-BOXES
=Seed-Markers= (_No tools needed but the fingers_)
Remove the rim of wood which binds the box into shape, that the little
tacks may not injure the child. Then let him tear the sides and bottom
into little slats which can be used as seed-markers. Older children can
write upon them the names of seeds, and when planted put one of these
slats into the ground to indicate where the seeds may be expected to
come up.
The little child enjoys the sense of power that he feels simply in being
able to tear these boxes apart, but let there be a thought back of the
action if it seem to degenerate into pure destructiveness.
=Toy-Fences= (_Employing fingers only_)
Split the boxes with the fingers into pieces wide or narrow, as desired,
and the slats thus made can be turned into fences for the play farm in
the sand-box, or for borders for small flower beds. (1) Stick them into
the sand or earth side by side, to suggest a plain board fence; or (2)
Put very narrow ones at short intervals apart to suggest a picket fence.
=Toy-Fences= (_Scissors_, _tacks_)
If old enough to use scissors, let the child cut the boxes apart with
long scissors and use for fences as before. (1) Side by side for board
fence. (2) Cut into very narrow strips for picket fence. Use the rim of
the basket for the rail to unite the pickets, fastening them with the
tiny tacks which are already in it. Pickets might be one inch apart.
Cutting the tops of the pickets into points will complete the
resemblance to a real fence. Put the rails about one-half inch from top.
=Boxes for tacks, seeds, etc.= (_Scissors_, _paste_, _paste-sticks_,
_ribbon, 8-1/2 inches long, 1-1/2 inches wide_, _wall-paper_, _pan
with water_)
Take two pieces of a box, each measuring 2 x 5 inches. Soak in water
till soft. Place one directly across the middle of the other, and bend
the four projecting ends up perpendicularly into box form. (1) Hold the
sides in place by winding the ribbon around the four sides, till they
meet, and paste the one overlapping end over the other. (2) Cut a piece
of wall-paper (obtainable often from a wall-hanger's shop) into a strip
1-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches and wind around, pasting one end over the other. If
the child is inexperienced the paper may be cut of exactly the height of
box. If skillful in so doing, let him cut the strip 1/2 inch wider and
turn down over the top to give a little finish. This gives practice in
neatness and skill.
Let the child observe how a Swedish matchbox is made--the wood held
together by strips of thin but tough paper--and then carry his thought
to the far-distant land which sends us the magic wands that give us
light with safety. And all carried in a tiny box made of wood and paper.
Decalcomanias might be used for decoration of the plain wooden box.
Let the child experiment in making boxes of different shapes and sizes
for his collections of seeds, stones, etc. This cultivates his ingenuity
and practical imagination.
=Picture Frames= (_Scissors_, _thumb-tacks_, _gold paint_,
_water-colors_, _glue_)
Cut three slats, each 1 x 8 inches, to make triangular frame. Unite with
thumb-tacks, one at each of the three corners. To place them exactly the
right way may take a little experimenting, which helps develop the
child's sense of proportion and arrangement. When joined, cut off the
projecting parts at the top to give pointed effect. Good for pictures of
Indians, as wigwam is suggested. Decorate by gilding or painting. Can be
painted with Ivory paints or water-colors.
=Chicken-Coops= (_Scissors_, _glue_)
Remove the rim, bottom (in one piece) and two adjoining sides of a berry
box. This leaves two sides remaining which are already bent into correct
form for coop. Cut the bottom of the box in half from corner to corner.
This gives the triangular back of the coop which must be glued on. The
slats must now be made and put into place. Cut three slats each 3/8
inches wide. (1) In each of the two front edges of the coop cut three
horizontal slits 3/8 inches deep; slip the slats into these and cut off
the projecting ends. The slats at the top will necessarily be shorter
than those at the bottom. (2) Or an older child can cut in each of the
two edges 3 notches 3/8 inches deep and 3/8 inches high and glue the
slats into these, thus:
[Illustration: Chicken-Coop.]
=Paste-Sticks= (_Boxes_, _scissors_)
Cut sides of boxes into slender pieces which can be put aside and used
for paste-sticks when pasting is the order of the day. They will prove
to be better than brushes.
=Wagon= (_Thumb-tacks_, _button-molds_, _skewers_, _glue_, _small,
slender nails_)
Take two boxes. Remove rims. Bend down one side of each of the boxes so
that it is horizontal. Lap one of these exactly over the other and join
with thumb-tacks. This makes the body of coal wagon. For wheels use (1)
large wooden button-molds or (2) the cardboard circles round which
ribbons come. Make axles of skewers. Glue axle to bottom of wagon, slip
on the wheels and insert small, slender nail to keep wheel from coming
off. If skewers are not at hand whittle a slender piece from a stick of
kindling wood, whittling the ends until slender enough for the wheels to
slip on. Paint spokes on the wheels and paint the wagon, using any paint
at hand.
=Candy-Boxes= } (_Fancy paper_, _crinkled-paper or_
=Button-Boxes= } _silk_, _glue_, _paint_)
Take a berry-box and dye with Diamond dyes. Line it with crinkled paper
or dainty flowered wallpaper or silk. To do this, fold the paper or silk
one inch over on itself from the top, for hem. Gather or pleat the silk
near the top with silk of same color and glue to the inner side of the
basket near the top, leaving a little projecting edge for ruffle. Leave
the lower ends free. The silk should be two inches wider than the depth
of the basket and one and one-third times as long as the four sides of
the basket. Now take a square of cardboard the size of the bottom of the
basket and cover it smoothly with a square of silk, folding the silk
neatly over the sides and catching it across so as to be smooth on the
right side. Put this silk square down in the bottom of the basket and it
will hold the sides of the lining firm. A basket may be lined with paper
in the same way, using glue to hold it in place. As paper can not very
well be gathered, the top may be glued down smoothly or the paper may be
pleated.
=Hanging-Basket= (_Lead from tea-box_, _ribbon or wire_, _earth_,
_seeds_)
Line a berry box with the lead, fill with good earth and plant vines or
flower-seeds. Suspend by ribbon or wire.
=Dolls' Furniture= (_Spools_, _scissors_, _glue_)
1. Table.--Make a table by cutting a slat from a basket into an oblong
2 x 3 inches and glue to spool for dining-table.
2. Bed.--Soak a few moments and when flexible cut an oblong 2 x 6 inches
and bend one end up 1-1/2 inches to form head of bed. Bend the other
end up 1/2 inch to form the foot. Glue two spools to the bottom of this
for legs, one at each end.
3. Chair.--Make chairs for the same set by cutting a piece of the box to
measure 1 x 2 inches. Bend across the middle so that a right angle is
formed and glue one side to a spool. The other half forms the back of
the chair. Such furniture may be colored with dyes or Ivory paints.
PEAS
=Shelling Peas= (_Tin pans_)
Let the child help Mother to shell the peas for dinner. Children enjoy
work of this kind when cooperating with the mother or father. They like
to do what Mother is doing when she is doing it too. This will be an
excellent time to tell Hans Andersen's story of the "Five Peas that
Dwelt in a Pod". As a reward let the child plant a few peas in a box or
out-of-doors.
=Pea-Pod Boat= (_Pan of water_, _peapods_)
Give a small child a dish-pan filled with water and a peapod for a boat,
with peas for passengers and he will entertain himself for a long time.
Let the frequency with which he is allowed this privilege depend upon
his care in keeping himself and his surroundings dry, thus leading to
neatness and self-control.
=Pea Furniture= (See chapter on kindergarten occupations)
=Numeral Frame or Abacus= (_Hair-wire_, _cardboard stationery box_)
Get ten slender pieces of wire about six inches long. Put one pea on the
first, two on the second, three on the third, etc., until you reach the
last, on which place ten. Take an empty stationery box, and cut away the
bottom leaving the four sides intact as a frame. Into this frame insert
the ten wires, the one with one pea at the top, then No. 2, 3, etc. The
child can then practice counting the different combinations up to ten.
Instead of peas such a series of units could be made by stringing
cranberries or rose-haws on a waxed thread.
POTATOES AND SQUASH
=Potato Horse= (_Three potatoes_, _slender sticks or tooth-picks_,
_raveled string or coarse black thread_)
Take large potato for body of horse, a smaller one for the neck, and
another for the head. Join them with sticks broken to convenient length.
Four other sticks make the legs, two little ones the ears and the string
or thread the flowing tail. The tail can be attached to a tack or pin
and inserted.
=Squash or Sweet Potato Animals= (_Crooked-neck squash or sweet potato
for each animal_, _slender sticks_)
Insert sticks for legs into crooked-neck squashes and convert into
animals of various kinds, the kind depending upon the size of the neck
and general shape. Sweet potatoes by their queer shapes will often
suggest animals: pigs, dogs, etc., or ducks, swans, ostriches, and
birds. Use tacks or shoe buttons for eyes. Dolls can be made also.
CORN HUSKS--GREEN
=Mat= (_Husks_, _needle_, _thread_)
Take four smooth husks and press between blotting paper for 24 hours.
Then tear into 1/4 inch strips. Lay eight of these on the table. Take
eight more and weave these under and over the first eight, making mat
for doll-house. Put again between blotters. The next day, slide the
strips together till they lie smooth and even, and close together.
Fasten by sewing the outside strips lightly to the interlacing ones. Cut
the extending parts off about one inch from outside strips.
=Feathers= (_Husks_, _scissors_)
Take a dozen leaves of the husks; cut slits slant-wise down the edges
about 1/4 inch apart. Let dry 24 hours. Then use as feathers for Indian
head dress, using design on copper cent as model.
CORN-COBS--DRY
=Corn-Crib= (_Cobs_, _hammer_, _nails_, _cover of starch-box_)
To a small piece of thin wood like the cover of a starch-box nail four
short cobs of equal length for legs (half an inch or an inch long).
Around the four sides, on top, nail a row of slender cobs for the walls
of the corn crib. Make roof of cobs or lay a piece of cardboard across.
Nail from below, through the board. It will require a little thought to
determine just where the nail must go in order to run through the board
and into the cob above, but tell the child that he is a little carpenter
and must make careful measurements. Ask if he can think why the crib is
raised thus from the ground. (To preserve the corn from the rats and
mice.)
=Toy-Raft= (_Cobs_, _rim of berry-box_, _tacks_)
Lay six or more cobs of equal length side by side upon the table. Take a
piece of binding-rim of a berry-box as long as the row of cobs is wide.
Lay it across the row near one end and nail it fast to each cob. Nail a
similar piece across the other end. This will make a serviceable
toy-raft. Stick in a skewer for a mast and make a sail-boat. Paste on
the mast a triangular piece of paper or muslin for a sail.
=Zig-Zag Fence= (_Cobs only_)
Lay down half a dozen cobs in zigzag fashion, with their ends not quite
as far apart as the length of the cobs. Then across every two ends lay
another cob, and so build up the fence.
=Post-Fence= (_Cobs_, _tacks_, _skewers_, _slats_)
Lay several cobs in a row a few inches apart as posts. Unite them by
laying across them two rows of skewers or kindergarten slats. Join with
tiny tacks. Use in the sand-table or dolls' farm.
=House= (_Cobs_, _nails_)
(1) Take two cobs and place them opposite to each other. Place two
others across the ends of the first two, at right angles to them. Then
two more directly over the first two and so on, building up alternately
for log cabin. This is the first simple building experiment of the
little child. Two such cabins put together will make a two-roomed house.
Thus made it will be crude with wide interstices between the logs, but
this forms no objection to the child.
(2) When he does manifest the desire for something better made--a house
which will not admit the rain and snow--a more solid house can be made
thus: Place three cobs end to end to form three sides of a square.
Directly upon these lay three more, and nail firmly to those beneath at
the ends, with slender nails. Build up in this way as high as desirable.
One side has, however, been left open. Now put in the fourth wall but
leave place for the doorway. Do this by making the lower part of the
wall of cobs so short that they do not even go half way across the
opening. Take two such short cobs and nail each to the side of the
house. A little space will be left between them, say of two inches. Take
two more of same length and place on top of the first two and nail in
place. The third cob may be long enough to extend straight across the
little house making the top of the doorway. Put another and another on
top until the last row is reached. Roof with similar logs or with
cardboard. The child can be trained a little in forethought when led to
save anything like corncobs for possible use in the future.
=Furniture= (_4 short cobs_, _4 long slender ones_, _tacks_,
_cheesecloth_, _fine cord_, _cotton batting_)
Take four short cobs for sturdy legs. Nail to these four slender cobs
for bed-frame. In the inner part of the long sides of the bed hammer
small tacks about 3/4 inches apart. Then string cord from one tack
across to the opposite one and so on, to make springs. Make mattress of
cheesecloth stuffed with cotton. Other furniture can easily be made in
similar manner.
In this work, as with other suggestions here given, older children will
need to help younger ones and thus the spirit of helpfulness and
sympathy is exercised.
CORN KERNELS--DRY
=Portieres= (_Kernels of corn_, _straws_, _needle_, _coarse thread_,
_pan_)
Soak corn in pan of water over night or till soft. Get inch-long pieces
of straw at kindergarten supply store, or, if obtainable in the country,
get the straws entire and let the children cut them into inch pieces. In
all this work it is desirable to let the child do as much as possible
himself. Later, when familiar with materials and simple processes, let
him use the prepared bought material.
Now, let him string the corn and straws alternately. He can then vary by
stringing first one kernel and one straw; then two kernels and one
straw; then three, etc. This gives practice in counting, and exercises
also his sense of taste and proportion and his invention. A pretty
effect can be secured by using kernels of the two colors, red and
yellow.
Suspend a number of such strings in the doorway; they may be all of the
same length or may be very short in the middle of the doorway and
gradually get longer as the jamb is approached.
=Designing= (_Red and yellow kernels_)
On a rainy day let the child employ his inventive skill in making
designs of the red and yellow kernels on a flat table. He can lay them
in squares, oblongs, crosses, etc.
POP-CORN
There are few American children who need to be told how to pop corn;
they see it done before they are able to do it themselves. But this
fascinating occupation is not known to many children outside of the
United States. Perhaps it is well that our children should appreciate
their privilege in this respect.
If a popper is unobtainable, corn can be quickly and deliciously popped
by putting a tablespoonful of butter in a deep kettle and when it is hot
dropping in a cupful of popcorn. Shake or rather stir to keep from
burning and in a short time the kettle will be full of the white popping
fairy-like kernels. Salt or sugar can be sprinkled in as desired.
=Balls= (_Corn_, _popper_, _sugar_, _molasses or water_)
Make a thin syrup by boiling together equal quantities of sugar and
water or two cupfuls sugar, one of molasses or syrup, one teaspoonful
vinegar, and butter size of an egg. Cook until it hardens when dropped
in water, then pour it over 8 quarts of popped corn as quickly as
possible and mold into balls, making about twenty. If made with
strawberry syrup the color will be a beautiful red.
=Festoons= (_Popped corn_, _needle_, _coarse thread_)
Thread the kernels to adorn walls or picture frames or Christmas tree.
NUTS
=Boat= (_Walnut shell_, _pan of water_, _toothpicks_, _candle-wax_)
When busy with her baking the mother can give the three-year-old in his
high chair a half walnut shell for a boat. An older child can elaborate
into a sail-boat by cutting a triangular piece of paper for a sail,
glueing it to a toothpick for mast, and then melting a drop of wax from
a candle and inserting the mast while the wax is still warm. A burnt
match can be shaped into a mast also.
Such a fleet of tiny vessels would prettily set a table for a farewell
dinner to one going abroad.
=Surprise Walnuts= (_English walnuts_, _baby-ribbon_, _tiny dolls or
animals_, _glue_)
Open a number of walnuts carefully so as not to break the shell. Remove
the meats and fasten the two sides together with a tiny strip of ribbon,
which serves as a hinge, glueing the ends of the ribbon to the inside of
the half shells. Ribbon need be only an inch long or less. Put a tiny
doll or a wee china rabbit or kitten inside the shell and tie around
with ribbon. Little china animals come in sets of five or six.
A little verse of greeting or a conundrum can be written and put inside
if the toys are not available.
A group of little children could be kept busy and happy for an afternoon
making some of these little souvenirs for a home dinner or for a fair.
=Nut-Animals= (_Peanuts_, _toothpicks_)
The imagination of most children will quickly perceive resemblances to
all kinds of creatures in the queer shapes of peanuts. Take such a
peanut and stick into it four bits of toothpicks for legs and two tiny
ones for ears. If the toothpicks are not sharp or strong enough to
penetrate of themselves, make incisions with a sharp pin.
One common shape suggests a cat, seated. Two vertical pieces would make
the front legs and two horizontal pieces the back legs resting on the
ground. Eyes and mouth can be inked in. Another shape hints at an owl
with sharp, curved beak. Another will make a hen. Once started on this
line of experiment, the child will discover likenesses for himself.
These creatures can be used in the toy farm.
=Peanut party= (_See page 103_)
APPLES
=Candlestick= (_Apple_, _candle_)
Cut in the top of a rosy apple a hole of right size to hold a candle.
Appropriate for Thanksgiving.
A carrot can also be used thus, but a part must be cut away at the
bottom so as to secure a firm base.
ORANGES
=Baskets= (_Orange_, _smaller fruits_)
Cut an orange horizontally partly through the middle from each side so
as to leave a part in the centre which can be cut into a handle. Hollow
out the interior and put raisins, small nuts, etc., in it.
RED PEPPERS
=Lantern= (_Large red pepper_, _knife_)
Hollow out a large red pepper and cut into it eyes, nose and mouth,
making a miniature Jack-o'-lantern. This makes a pretty table
decoration.
Let the child help as much as possible by making these little table
decorations. If you want boy and girl to love home, give them a share in
making it interesting and attractive. Do not discourage them if their
efforts are a little crude at times. It is the spirit of good-will which
makes the blessed home.
EGG-SHELLS
=Garden= (_Shell_, _earth_, _birdseed_)
Cut an egg-shell in half horizontally, with a sharp pair of scissors,
and three days before Easter put into it a little earth, place in this a
little canary seed, or a single pea or bean, and a little plant will
delight the child.
=Doll's Cradle= (_Shell_, _ribbon half an inch wide_, _paste_,
_cardboard_)
Take a smooth white egg and blow it. To do this make a tiny pin-hole in
each end, and by blowing into one end steadily the contents can be
emptied out of the other. Draw lines lengthwise and crosswise around the
shell, dividing it into four equal parts. Then, following the line, cut
away the upper quarter toward the small end. This leaves a cradle with a
small canopy. Paste the ribbon neatly around for a binding round the
edge. Rockers can be made by cutting curved pieces 1/4 inch wide out of
thick cardboard, although such a cradle will rock without rockers.
Mattress for above. (_Thin white ribbon_, _milkweed down_, _needle_,
_sewing silk_)
Cut and sew the ribbon into a tiny mattress for this fairy cradle, and
stuff with milkweed down. If the ribbon is just the width of the cradle
the edges of the mattress can be neatly overcast. A tiny doll may then
be placed within the cradle.
=Boat= (_Goose-egg_, _leatherette paper_, _kindergarten slats_)
Blow the egg as described above. Cut in half lengthwise. Cut the paper
into strips 1/2 inch wide. In each side of the shell cut an indentation
3/8 inches deep and 3/8 inches wide for oarlocks. Then bind neatly with
the paper strips. Cut the slats (or a piece of berry box will do) into
tiny oars and paste a seat across, which is also cut out of a slat.
Careful handling is required for these dainty toys, and if the child
seems to get nervous let her do only a little at a time; but much
neatness and skill is exercised in the making, and it is good practice
for older children. The wise mother soon learns to detect the difference
between the poor work which is the result of pure nervousness and that
which is the consequence of carelessness. The latter should never be
permitted to stand. See to it that what the child does is up to his best
capacity.
=Humpty-Dumpty Eggs= (_Shell_, _shot_, _water-color paints_, _a bit of
cotton-batting_, _and a bit of tough paper_)
Take a shell and empty of contents as described above. Enlarge the hole
at one end sufficiently to drop in a dozen tiny shot obtainable at
hardware store. Paste over the opening the bit of paper, and on that a
little cotton to simulate hair. Paint upon the surface eyes, nose, and
mouth. A comical little toy which always regains its balance, however
placed, is the result. In playing with this the child unconsciously
imbibes a few ideas about equilibrium, equipoise, etc. Tell him you want
him to be a man that, however placed, will always be able to get upon
his feet again.
=Foot-ball=, or rather it might be called Breath-ball (_Egg-shell_,
_water-color paints_)
Take an empty shell and paint to resemble a football or in some college
or High School colors. See page 99 for directions for game.
=Toy Lamp= (See under Doll-Houses)
PRUNES AND RAISINS
=Turtle= (_Raisin and five cloves_)
Take a plump raisin and stick into it five cloves for head and legs.
=Man= (_Raisins or prunes_, _toothpicks_)
Make a man by running a toothpick through three raisins for a body. Into
the top one stick two other toothpicks, with two raisins each for arms
and two other toothpicks with raisins make the legs. Each leg has a
projecting raisin for a foot and another large raisin makes the head.
These are fun-makers for a children's party, one at each plate.
SEEDS
=Stringing= (_Squash seeds--dried_, _strong thread_, _needle_)
Little children can be happily occupied making chains of squash,
pumpkin, and water-melon seeds that have been saved and made soft by
soaking awhile in water. The black seeds of the water-melon alternate
prettily with the white seeds of the other gourds. Variety can be
introduced by stringing several of one color and then several of
another, counting by twos, threes, etc. This gives exercise in counting,
in pleasing grouping of colors, and so exercises both the invention and
the taste of the very little child.
=Designing= (_Black seeds_, _white seeds_)
Let the child make designs of the seeds upon the table. Place a black
one for a centre and a white one on each side. Repeat this figure for a
foot or more, placing the groups an inch apart and observe the effect.
Tell him thus to make a design for the frieze of the room. Another
effect is produced by placing a white seed as a centre and placing four
or five around it. Vary still further by placing a circle of black seeds
around the whole. These few examples will serve to indicate the endless
variety that can be secured, and is a training in invention and taste.
Let the child always have in mind a design for some particular purpose,
as of wall-paper, oil-cloth, etc. Lead him to observe similar effects in
carpets, wall-paper, etc. The best of these attempts can be made
comparatively permanent by pasting upon small sheets of tinted
bristol-board. The chief value in preserving any such work is for
purposes of comparison as the child improves.
=Counters=
Save out 24 white and 24 black seeds for counters in checkers, go-bang,
etc.
=Squash-Seed Chicken= (_25 seeds_, _white thread_, _two quill
toothpicks_, _bit of red flannel_, _feather from duster_)
Take 25 squash seeds and soak till soft. Take five of these and place
side by side with pointed ends up. Above these place four, their wide
ends coming between the points of the others. Above these place three in
the same relative position. Above these put two, and above these and
between them place the squash-seed which is to be the head of the
chicken.
Now, beneath the original five, place four, pointed ends up; beneath
these put three, then two, then one. If these are rightly placed, the
pointed ends of one row come just at the sides of the wide end of the
seeds above.
[Illustration: How to String the Seeds.]
Run a thread through the lower end of the two and the upper end of the
three; then through the lower end of three and the upper end of the
four; continue thus till all have been united. The result thus far will
be a double pyramid of the seeds. Draw an eye in the middle of the head,
paste or sew on a bit of quill for a bill and a bit of flannel for a
comb. Attach a few feathers from the duster for a tail. Take two more
seeds and sew to the _middle_ of the row of _five_ for the thigh of the
legs, and to each sew a quill for the rest of the legs, cutting into
points at one end for toes.
[Illustration: Squash-Seed Chicken.]
Make another chicken like the above and suspend the two face to face
upon a slender stick by running a thread through the head and one
through the tail. When the stick is moved the chickens assume very
realistic attitudes. A comical toy, made with no expense save that of
time and patience. (See illustrations.)
=Pincushion or Penwiper= (_Five plump apple-seeds_, _sharp pen-knife_,
_black thread_, _stiff card_, _square of muslin_, _emery or cotton
batting_)
Save out five seeds, and cut the cuticle of the large end into two tiny
points to simulate the ears of a mouse. Knot the thread and run a tiny
bit through for a tail. Paste these upon a visiting card, and near them
paste a tiny bag made of white muslin to simulate a flour-bag. It can be
stuffed with cotton or with emery for needles or pins. Or the card can
be sewn upon several layers of cloth as decoration for a penwiper.
=Imitation Water=
Muskmelon seeds placed in an undulating line in the sand-box suggest
water.
SOAP
=Hammering= (_Old-fashioned bar soap_, _hammer_, _nails_)
A wee child will entertain himself for a long time by hammering nails
into a bar of soap if the proper tools be given him. In this simple
activity he exercises both mind and body. It requires good coordination
on the part of the little one to strike the nail just right, and he
enjoys not only the exercise itself, but also the pleasure of imitating
the carpenter who uses the hammer so skilfully.
=Drawing= (_White soap_, _window-pane_)
On a day when he must stay indoors, give your child a piece of white
soap and let him show you what he can draw upon the window-pane. Ships
and trees, houses and flowers have a fairy-like appearance when drawn
with this commonplace material upon the impromptu background of glass.
This allows the freedom of movement found in blackboard work. It gives
scope to the child's imaginative powers and should add nothing to the
housekeeper's cares, being readily removed with a damp cloth. It may
reveal creative possibilities in some otherwise "mute, inglorious"
artist.
CEREAL BOXES
=Moving-Van= (_Cereal-box_, _glue_, _two skewers_, _4 button-molds_, _4
nails or strong pins_)
Take a box (Quaker Oats or Force, etc.). Cut out doors and side openings
for a moving-van. It may be well to draw these first. For a model, look
at any van or grocer's wagon. It will be seen that models are numerous
and various. If more explicit directions are required we give the
following, although it is always well to have the child use his own mind
as far as possible before going to others for ideas.
Remove the top of the box, which becomes the front of the wagon. The
bottom of the box will be the back of the wagon. This bottom will be
found to consist of two layers of cardboard. Remove the outer one and
cut the inner one once through the middle to make two doors. On each
side of the wagon cut an oblong window 1/2 inch from the top, 1/2 inch
from the bottom, and 1/2 inch from the front. Let it be two inches wide.
Place a seat across from one window to the other; fasten with glue. It
may be just a straight piece one inch wide, or may be two inches wide,
folded once through the middle lengthwise to give a back.
For wheels use wooden button-molds, two inches wide, or circles sawed
from a broom handle. For axles use wooden skewers or cut a piece from a
stick of kindling wood about 1/4 inch wide. Whittle the ends till they
are slender enough to hold the button-molds. Then put on the wheels,
inserting a slender nail or pin outside to keep them from coming off the
axle. Glue the axle to the box. If wheels are cut from broom-handle, a
nail can be driven through the centre for an axle and then pushed into
the side of the box, or a nail pushed through a button-mold directly
into the box will hold.
Punch two holes into the front of the wagon, tie cord through and the
wagon can be drawn along. It may be painted if desired. For horses,
trace a picture of a horse from some book or advertisement on cardboard,
cut out and harness to wagon.
=Lantern= (_Box_, _scissors_, _candle_, _pencil_)
Draw on the box holes to represent eyes, nose and mouth. Then cut these
out. Cut holes near the top of box to put wires through for carrying the
box. Use a wire about two feet long, put the ends through the holes and
bend up. Let a little of the wax drip from the end of the candle to the
bottom of the inside of the box, and when a soft centre has been made
push the candle down and it will stand firm. Only older children should
use these, lest harm result. But children do make them at election times
for transparencies. The openings may be lined with colored tissue paper.
=House= (_Cereal box_, _paste_, _scissors_, _wall-paper_, _etc._)
Remove one broad side. Stand box on one long narrow side as room of
doll's house. Cut an opening in the remaining broad side for a window.
Furnish with paper furniture. (See page 85.)
EDAM CHEESE
=Lantern= (_Cheese_, _knife_, _candle_)
After the interior of one of these round, red cheeses has been scooped
out and eaten by the family, the discarded red shell will make a fine
Jack-o'-lantern, if the proper holes for eyes, nose and mouth be cut
into it and a candle inserted inside. The candle may be inserted in a
socket cut into the bottom of the rind, or it may be made to stand
firmly in a bed of wax or tallow melted from its own lower end.
SALT
=Play for Baby= (_Fine table salt_, _spoon_, _bottle_, _small box or
pan_)
If clean fine sand is not at the moment available, give the baby a box
containing a heap of salt and a teaspoon and bottle, and he will be
happy for a long time, passing the salt from one bottle or box to
another. To the young mother this may seem akin to foolishness, but in
thus playing simply with sand or with salt the baby is exercising
faculties and working out baby problems which he should be given
opportunity to try. He is becoming acquainted with his environment, his
little world.
TIN CANS
=Burnt-Match Safe= (_Mustard box_, _oil paints_, _brush_, _ribbon_,
_nail_, _hammer_)
Punch two holes near the upper edge of a discarded mustard box, the
holes to be opposite each other. These may be made by hammering a nail
through the tin, holding the box firmly against a block of wood or stone
for pressure.
With oil paints, one color, begin at the top to paint the box,
graduating from light to darker tones as the bottom is approached.
Lighter tones may be secured by mixing the blue or red with Chinese
white. A flower design may be painted by one skilled in the use of the
brush.
Tie ribbon through the holes by which to suspend the box, and the result
is an article both useful and pretty.
=Flower-Pot= (_Can_, _ivory paints_, _brush_)
Paint an empty can with green or brown ivory paint and use as flower-pot
for growing plant. Children love to handle a paint-brush, and this
offers a legitimate occasion for such occupation. A small hole should be
punched in bottom of can for drainage.
=Hanging-Basket= (_Can_, _nail_, _hammer_, _cord_, _raffia_)
Punch holes for suspending as described above. Then make a covering of
raffia as explained on page 46 and hang up by the cord.
=Wheels= (_Covers of baking-powder tins_, _nail_, _hammer_)
With the nail, hammer a hole through the centre of the cover, placing
upon a stone step or other brace. The little wheels may be used to
complete toy wagons that the child is making.
TIN FOIL
=Toy Dishes= (_Tin foil from cream-cheese wrappers_, _etc_.)
Take the tin foil, and by simple squeezing and pressing and shaping, a
little practice will enable one to make it into tiny pitchers, goblets,
pans, etc., for dolly's table.
=Toy Mirror= (_Tin foil_, _scissors_)
Smooth carefully with the fingers and cut a piece of the tin foil into
the shape and size to fit a little cardboard bureau.
A larger piece will simulate water in the sandbox park.
=Toy Money= (_Tin foil_, _coin_, _scissors_)
Smooth the tin foil with the thumb nail, place a cent or a nickel
beneath, and press and smooth again, making an impression of the coin
that may be cut out and used in playing store.
=Toy Cutlery= (_Tin foil_, _scissors_)
Cut tiny knives, forks and spoons out of the tin foil for the
paper-dolls' table.
CORK
Save all corks and they may be used in a variety of ways.
=Toy Raft= (_Cork_, _wire or hairpins_)
Run several corks on a piece of wire to resemble a log; make several
such and then tie together to make a raft, tying between the corks.
=Toy Boat= (_Circular flat cork_, _tacks_, _wire_, _toothpick_, _paper_)
Insert a toothpick in one of the large flat corks that sometimes cover
pickle glasses. Paste a paper triangle upon this for a sail and set
afloat in a dishpan sea.
=Flower-Rack= (_Flat cork_, _pencil_)
Take a flat piece of cork such as is used by entomologists upon which to
impale insects, or any flat, _thin_ piece of cork will do if several
inches in diameter. Such cork may be easily perforated by a slender
pencil. Make a number of perforations several inches apart, and then the
cork may rest upon a water-filled saucer or other deep dish, and the
stalks of single flowers may be inserted into the holes so that they are
supported by the cork.
=Furniture= (_Circular corks_, _pins_, _worsted of pleasing color_,
_cashmere or silk goods_)
Into the upper side of a round cork about one inch in diameter insert
five to seven pins. Twist and weave the worsted in and out, under and
over those pins, so as to make a firm, solid back to a little chair. The
ends of the worsted may be neatly disposed of by threading on a needle
and running in and out for a few stitches till concealed.
For legs, insert four strong pins, and wind these round and round with
the worsted, finishing neatly by running with a needle in and out.
If the seat seems too plain it may first, before the chair is made, be
covered with silk or cashmere. To do this cut the cloth into a circle
somewhat larger than the diameter of the cork. Run a gathering thread
around the circumference, and putting the cork in the centre draw the
thread and so gather beneath the seat. To make a really neat finish the
edge should be turned in before gathering.
=Swimming-Float= (_Dozens of corks_, _strong canvas cloth, measuring
20 x 36 inches_, _needle_, _thread_)
Make two strong canvas bags, measuring about 18 x 20 inches. Fill these
with corks to act as floats. Unite the two bags by a strong band of
canvas about 7 x 20 inches in size, and let the children use when in
bathing.
=Cork in Art=
In making models of world-renowned buildings, such as churches,
cathedrals, temples, etc., cork is used in large and small pieces.
In Germany it is used in making pictures. A sky background is painted in
water-color, and the flat pieces of cork are cut into shape and glued on
to represent walls and towers of buildings. The foliage of trees is
represented by the more spongy pieces of cork, and the effects secured
are interesting and beautiful. The children may like to experiment and
see what they can do in this direction.
=Cork Doll= (_See page 81_)