The Child In Holiday Weeks

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 68, 13 December 1938, Page 5

The Child In Holiday Weeks

Happy Occupations For Your Children

(By

J.F.

QCHOOL holidays will soon be here, ° and with them comes the problem for mothers of keeping children happy and occupied. It is a lucky family that does not spend some time at home during the long summer vacation, and for town children especially, with their restricted areas for play, varied occupations must be suggested to guard against monotony. So the town mother should do a little thinking beforehand, or she will have to spend money all the time for one rea'dy-niade amusement after another. Even the country mother does well o have a fund of ideas taud suggestions to while away the holiday weeks. Here are some suggestions for the moments when other ideas fail. Give the children some space in the home and in the garden, where they can be thoroughly messy and untidy without having to clear up for meals and other interruptions. There they should be allowed to have materials, such as real clay for modelling, au'd paints for carpentry work, as well as water-colours.

Boy® should have au increasing number of carpentry tools as they become older, and plenty of wood- The local tradesman is usually glad to let regular customers have wooden boxes for next-to-notliing, and this material is an aid for the young carpenter.

What the children do or make will vary immensely, according to age, inherent interest and temperament* A boy may fill his time making a fort, a boat, or an aeroplane, or he may be inventive enough to make a model theatre with fascinating lighting, and even puppet shows may develop. A simple variation of the puppet idea may appeal to girls, who are less attracted by carpentry. The puppet show of the Punch and Judy type obviates Hie necessity of model stages and complicated wires, and can well be manipulated with glove puppets from below.

From this it is only a step to the family, with near neighbours, planning a play. A little and essentially unobtrusive help from mother to settle problems. give occasional organization hints and assist in the provision of dressing-up material or stage properties, is always appreciated. A camera is a good investment for boys and girls, especially if they learn to cheapen photography and double its interest by doing their -own developing and printing.

Lastly, do not be startled if the paint pots in an ohl room lead your twelve-year-old daughter to stare thoughtfully at her bedroom furniture, and make sweeping remarks about the colour schemes anti decoration of the home. Bear with it patiently and let her start on an old chair. Encourage some shopgazing at a good decorator’s, and who knows but her efforts may eventually be turned to good account? Remember. there are good positions for women decorators today.