Use of High Spirits

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 190, 8 May 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

Use of High Spirits

Children Enjoy Helping In The House If They Feel Important /CHILDREN are naturally energetic, full of life and high spirits which must find some outlet. Their natural tendency is to be occupied every moment of the day, and, if wisely directed, they may be taught to turn this energy to some useful purpose. The first seven years of a child’s life are accepted as being the most important in the development of its character and habits. In the nursery it may be taught to know the pleasure to be obtained from some useful task well done—a lesson that is never afterwards forgotten.

QHILDREN love to feel tli.ut they are being useful to their elders, and to entrust them with some practical household duty is to give them a delicious sense of importance. Children of four years and more are capable of carrying out adequately any number of household jobs, and even before this they may be given toys which have a useful purpose and will connect work and pleasure in their minds. x Sets of miniature brooms and mops, washing baskets and pegs, tiny irons.

and small dustpans complete with brushes are sure to delight the heart of the little housewife of the future, and will direct her thoughts into the right channels. Boys and girls alike delight in cleaning shoes for there is a great fascination about dabbing on the (lull-look-ing polish, which, when rubbed sufficiently in the right way results in a lovely shining surface. Let them begin by cleaning their own little shoes and gradually promote them to doing those of Mummy and Daddy, keeping the right to clean these as a reward for work well done. Turning soiled white shoes into

snowy spotless ones is also very satisfactory, and a job which is eagerly accepted. After a mirror has been cleaned a child will love to polish it with a chamois cloth, gradually wiping away the smears until the gleaming surface appears once again. Cleaning the silver is another job of great importance, and one to be reserved as a special treat. If you are having a dinner party let your small girl clean the table silver, and she will be proud and excited.

Little girls delight in dipping their arms up to the elbows in warm water frothing with soapsuds, and it is a good idea to encourage them to wash their own socks and gloves when they are doing tiie doll family’s wash. Wrapped in a waterproof apron, the , little girl will spend hours in the j worthy pursuit of cleanliness. : The older child may take a turn at ' setting the table, and helping with the washing up, and if this is begun early it will be regarded as a natural part of every-day life and not something disi tasteful which is to be avoided at all costs.