THE "HAPPY" ROOM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE "HAPPY" ROOM

Apparently we grown-ups are absurdly ignorant on what a child really wants in a nursery. How many of us realise the important part shape in the objects of everyday use, colour and suggestion play in the psychological aspect of child education f To begin with, there is the colour of the nursery. Our minds immediately conjure up the obvious white, pale blue, or pale pink. These are all right for some children, but not for others. Those who are too placid or dull should be stimulated by bright colours such as red, yellow, bright pink, purple, while an excitable little mind should be given soothing shades as certain blues, pale greens, and soft greys. Then everything in the nursery should be educative and interesting. Always choose toys a child can expend its imagination on to make it do things, rather than the elaborate toy that does everything itself. The simple shape with clear-cut outline is the one that most readily appeals to the childish mind. A child lives in a world of its own imaginings, and that world is peopled by very definite creations (often unexpected ones to the grownups), which are basically simple in character. We are learning more every day the necessity for happiness and laughter in the building • up of the character of a child. Gone are the severe days when silence was enforced. Now tbe nursery rings with laughter because teaching and playing go hand in hand. Expert attention is now being directed toward making the article of ordinary use a thing of joy as well as a necessity, and even a piece of furniture can be a. super toy of utility design. By choosing the right surroundings mothers can bring out the best in their children, and enable them to possess that greatest of gifts—a happy temperament.