KEEP THEM AMUSED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3284, 5 July 1943, Page 2

KEEP THEM AMUSED

4> HELPFUL HOLIDAY JOBS KIDDIES AND VOCATIONS WORK REALLY A PLEASURE When Miss Eleven and Master Twelve tire of games and the noisy companionship of playmates during the holidays I usually find for them some helpful occupations which provide real entertainment and healthy exercise. It is surprising to see what fun they get out of hosing and sweeping verandahs, steps and railings; raking up and burning garden rubbish in a bonfire; digging and plant new garden beds and arranging a rockery round an unsightly tree stump, or in an unlovely corner, moving books from shelves and bookcases and replacing them after shelves have been cleaned and disinfected for silverfish, and assisting with cooking. In the kitchen Son’s speciality is baking scones and tarts. Daughter prefers making small cakes which require icing, and preparing puddings. Perhaps the most popular job is tidying cupboards and sorting out rubbish, for in this way many old treasures are discovered. Separate jobs for the pair are suggested when needful Miss Eleven enjoys sorting out my box of scraps and remnants, finding suitable pieces for t pretty patchwork cushions for the verandah, material for dolls’ clothes, dainty sachets and various small articles suitable for gifts. She likes to cut .long strips of thick cotton or woollen material for making cosy rag mats. Sorting out my workbasket and machine drawers, winding up loose cottons, embroidery and woollen materials are also interesting jobs. Master Twelve revels in painting, so I let him paint by saucepan stand,, kitchen canisters, pot-plant stand, bathroom stool and kitchen chairs.

His carpentering successes include a garden bench and several rustic chairs and a firm little table where, often, delightful picnic meals are served; various small stands for pot plants, a useful bathroom- cupboard for medicines and a shelf in his own room for books. He now has a workbench at which he does his big jobs and he owes that to this idea of holiday occupations. Sunshine Fairies One wet day during school holidays, Misses Five and Seven and two young girl cousin guests came to me with very disconsolate faces, not knowing what to play in t he house, so I suggested that they should pretend to be •Sunshine Fairies to brighten up everything and everybody on a dull day. Joyfully they helped me raid a big box of dressing-up and decorating materials. All sorts of colourful oddments of silks, lace, cellophane, ribbons and feathers were utilised, each child finishing off her gay garments with a tiny pair of bright wings -and hair bands, ribbons and a posy of artificial flowers. Then they dressed up their favourite dolls and animals, decorating a spare room and arranging a fairy teaparty. For this I provided small biscuits, jam and fruit sandwiches, lollies, peanuts and drinks of* homemade fruit essence in the dolls’ teaset. The party was followed by a concert, each little guest taking part and giving several encores; the audience being most enthusiastic! A lively dance, skipping and fancy marching were enjoyed to gramophone music, and to complete a very bright afternoon, I read several favourite fairy stories to them. Not long afterwards a small neighbour was laid up with a broken leg. To entertain her during consalescence, the four girls played Sunshine Fairies in her bedroom, to her great delight. Give each child when old enough a small garden plot in which to grow vegetables for the home. Of course, you will supply the necessary seeds, plants, etc., and give them advice, but let them do most of the work themselves. A hobby like this will give the children excellent exercise, tesch them to appreciate J .he wonders of nature and give them the ambition to grow really good vegetables. It ma v a.so alleviate boredom if the kidcLes are getting, tired of the holidays. . To further cncou:a~e the children

it is a good plan to buy the vegetables from them as the beans, peas, etc., are fit to use and as you need them, and thus you supply them with pocket money and money for the school bank; at least they are indirectly earning their own pocket money in a most interesting and useful way. One or two children working little garden plots under this scheme will keep the home in fresh vegetables and it will be fun rather than work. Learning Values To help children learn the value of commodities through play: Whenever a packet or tin is to go into the play shop mark the right price on it. The children will like looking up the price when they go to see the article, and at . the same time will be receiving a lesson in actual values.