THE MODERN NURSERY

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 2

THE MODERN NURSERY

Must be Planned With Great Thought Those of us whose parents are English will recall their reminiscences of the Victorian nursery, where Betsy or Nanna presided over a brood of youngsters who were visited on state occasions by Mamma and Papa and who, as a special treat, were allowed, with duo decorum, to sally forth into the grown-ups’ domain. Other highlights in the daily routine were provided by a bird’seye view of the busy street below and an occasional walk in th* park with nurse. [By A. J. Brown*, A.R.1.8.A.]

The reaction against Victorian conventions is nowhere seen more clearly than in the upbringing of children, and the restrictions of that age have given place to perhaps too great a freedom in this. The large families of our grandparents rendered necessary what Victorian middle-clan prosperity was able to provide for their comfort. Widely different social, economic, and climatic conditions are reflected in the case of the modern child in the modern home. A small minority can gratify their taste for the _ type of super-nursery we so often see in American films, where the children live in a curtained and carpeted world equipped with super-toys. It is not our present intention to consider such nurseries, but see how we average people can give our babies and toddlers a suitable environment.

If we have the good fortune to build for ourselves wo may be able to include a nursery in our plans, arranged in convenient relation to_ the rest of the house and in the ideal aspect. Separate day and nighty nurseries are a definite luxury, desirable as such a provision may be. Most of us consider ourselves fortunate if we can provide in a now house or find in an old one a room suitable for both day and night nursery. A sunny balcony capable of being enclosed by opening window sashes or sun blinds will often servo as a day

nursery, and if it happens to open from the night nursery so much tho better. The main considerations in a nursery are abundance of sunlight and ventilation, simple furnishing and decoration, surfaces capable of being easily cleaned, and easy access from mother’s room. All mothers will appreciate, too, tho great boon of a separate bathroom for the youngsters. A point which should by no means be disregarded is tho insulation of the nursery from the rest of the house. It is reasonable to impose quiet behaviour on children as a general rule and when they are enjoying the adult domain, though some parents seem to confuse liberty with license, and allow their children to turn the whole house into a bear garden and to pay no respect to furniture and decorations. Exuberant young spirits must, however, have their fling, and undue repression is definitely harmful. WET-WEATHER PLAYGROUND. When the weather deprives them of tho out-of-doors the nursery is their natural playground, and noise is inevitable at times. Tho room may he insulated by its location in regard to other rooms, as in a wing, but if not so cut off something may bo done to confine youthful rompings within the four wails. Absorbent plaster for walls, carpeted floors, and curtains can help a great deal to deaden sound. If the room is upstairs t felt or other sound-deadening material in tho thickness of the floor will bo of great service.

Our problem will not have been solved when we have catered for the material wants and physical needs of the small inhabitants of the nursery. The influence of environment is generally admitted as of great importance. The child’s earliest impressions of his surroundings are deep, and unconsciously he is influenced by them. An environment whose elements are beautiful and harmoniously blended must surely have a beneficial effect, and the converse is also true.

A nursery inevitably entails a good deal of work. Everything possible, then, should bo done to reduce that work to a minimum. The surfaces of walls and floor should be capable of being easily cleaned, and nothing but essential pieces of furniture and the simplest of decoration should be introduced into the room. Tlte floor may bo of stained wood, with a low polish (a high polish being conducive to many a spill), and light rugs may he placed at the side of a bed or cot, at the hearth, and under the table. A good cork linoleum is quite suitable as a covering for the bare boards, with the addition of rugs. The lower part of the walls should preferably be treated as a dado, either m wooden panelling or painted with an enamel nnish of serviceable colour on plaster. Above the dado the walls may be lined with paper or kalsomined. A blackboard built as a wall panel is a source of great amusement to the

youngsters, and keeps them employed for many an hour. In cool weather some means of heating will be required. Central heating by means of radiators is unusual in this climate, but is very effective. Of other means of heating, tho slow combustion coke fire with a closed front is perhaps the most suitable, but the open fire is advisable if properly protected by a guard. Any means of heating should, of course, be so protected that the small occupants of the room are in no danger of receiving burns. No better means can be devised for pictorial decoration than a colourful frieze running round the walls just above the dado. We should bear in mind that pictures to be easily seen should not be far above the eye level. Cupboards and shelves for toys and childish books will make for tidiness, though a careful sorting out will be necessary at times, when derelicts should be consigned to the limbo of forgotten things. The furniture should bo in proportion to those who are to use it. This need not necessarily .mean going to the expense of-having it specially made. A few inches cut off the legs of tables, chairs, beds, and stools will often meet the case. Sharp angles and corners should be avoided where possible, as they are an element of danger to youngsters at the toddling stage. A rocking horse, a toy train, a miniature farm, a rag doll or two, a tea set, and a few scrap books will give the finishing touches to our little world. His Majesty the Baby enters into his kingdom.—‘ Sydney Morning Herald.’