LESSONS FOR GROWN-

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2592, 28 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

LESSONS FOR GROWN-

Was there ever yet a mother who has not at some time or other been assailed by the question: “Mother, what 11 JL do?” asked in a dreary tone on a wet day. Sometimes the question is answered in practical form, and the mother, throwing down, her book or sewing, joins the child in some fresh %skae, ’and by her interest and imagihation gives zest to the play, and causes the dreary day to pass joyfully arid all too soon. But there are many other mothers who meet the everlasting child question bv the answer: “Go and play- Mut what’ll I play?” asks the child, whereupon she is told to look at the pictures or read a book, or dress her doll. , Rut the child is tired of her books, and it is dull work playing “dollies” all alone so she wanders aimlessly about, and finally gets into mischief and disgrace. With the majority of mothers who meet the everlasting question Whatll I <lo?” in this manner their failure to supply the child with some interesting occupation is not from disinclination, but from inability. There are hundreds of mothers, incredible though it seems, who know no fairy tales or child stones, and who simply have not the imagination to invent a new game for their little ones. And the child who is possessed of such a mother does not have half the chance in its development as the child whose parents can join in its games and encourage and stimulate its imagination and observation. Ibis is a fact which ]jas been acknowledged bv scientists for some years and m Germany, that land ef marvellous education, schools have been formed where mothers and elder sisters are trained in the art of amusing children. The* Froebel Society’s schools give three-month courses of lessons three times a week. The classes, which, ar hold in the ordinary schoolrooms alter lesson hours, are mostly taught by voluntary teachers, and many wellknown artists gladly give their services in teaching the, art of picture drawing for little children. It is astonishing how few mothers and elder sisters can draw, and while some soon learn, others never show much talent , for them there are classes m silhouette drawing, and in the grouping and arranging of figures and scenery cut out of illustrated papers, which they learn to develop into pictures correct m perspective and other details. Some of the teachers are past-mast-ers in the art of making paper objects, and their classes .are rushed by parents whose children have an insatiable craving for paper boats, boxes, slippers, and other ingenious little toys which can be made from paper.' . , - At the beginning of each session the mothers undergo a simple examination, and those who have any knowledge ot or taste for drawing are formed into a special class where such simple pictures as a laughing son or a cottage with a smoking ' chimney are made. - But one of the most important classes in the school is that for teaching story telling. Few people can recite even a nursery rhyme with spirit, ■while the very best stories of Anderson or Grimm become dull as told by many grown-ups. The first thing the adult pupil learns in this class is to looks at the' story from a child’s point of view, pick out the features which are most likely to appeal to the listener, and add color of action and right emphasis to what is only too often a dry narrative; In addition to these classes fei* mothers, there are* in Berlin, schools where nursegirls are trained, and simple lessons are given in. the first principles of playing, and where the charming kindergarten figure steps and dances and many artistic little games are taught.