Children's Hobbies

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 42, 20 February 1936, Page 10

Children's Hobbies

Wise mothers encourage their children to have hobbies. It is, of course, trying to have an untidy room, one child doing carpentry, for instance, another snipping bits out of a newspaper that interests him or her, and yet another developing snapshots, but if only the mother can take a long view she will realise that a little untidiness, in the home is nothing to set against the children's happiness. For that hobbies do make happiness there is no doubt. Creative work always gives pleasure. Too many of the different kinds of neurosis from which adults suffer are duo to a lack of opportunity, or an inability to express themselves in creative work. Therefore, let your children make something, do something, and increase their interest. If possible, set aside a room, in which they can work and play. It docs not matter if it is a small room, or how plainly it is furnished. Often an attic can be turned into a good playroom. If you have a child with a great love of tho open air and animals, let him develop that love through gardening or having an animal to care for. If a boy or a girl has a dog or a cat or rabbit as pets, impress upon , him or her how necessary it is to feed them regularly, to exercise the dog, to keep their quarters clean, and so on. If you havo a garden set aside a part of it for the children’s own use. Children can learn a lot from planting seeds and bulbs, watering, weeding, digging, tending plants, etc. If there is room enough and they feel inclined, let them keep fowls. A few bantams will give them much pleasure. Stamp collecting still makes- an appeal to many boys and photography is a hobby that always has a fascination. Encourage your children to collect things in which they are interested. A boy enthusiastic about cars or aeroplanes may like to cut out all the illustrations of them he can find, classify them and paste them into a scrapbook, for instance.