LESSON XV

WHAT A CHILD CAN DO TO HELP (CONTINUED)

THE greeting song, "Good Morning," may include a further step when the children are ready for it. The two who bow and shake hands may skip about the room together while the music of the song is repeated as a little dance refrain.

Conversation:

The new winter garments which are appearing on some of the children almost every day will introduce again the topic of winter preparation in the home. The children will remember the talk of the last lesson and will volunteer more about the ways in which they have been helping at home. If they do not, the teacher may ask a question which will bring forth a further response along this line. She is trying to get a habit of helpfulness started in the home, and the standard set by her as well as her appreciation will have its effect upon the children. If the children want to play the game of errand, used at the last period, it should, of course, be revived.

Game:

Another game which the children will much enjoy is an old singing game in which the child in the center of the ring takes the part of one of the members of the family, imitating an activity that he has seen carried on. The other children follow him after he has imitated the activity. The words

are:

"Did you ever see a lassie, a lassie, a lassie,

Did you ever see a lassie do this way and that?
Do this way and that way, do this way and that way,
Did you ever see a lassie do this way and that?"

(Songs for the Little Child.)

"Laddie," "mother," or "father" may be substituted for the word "lassie" and the characteristic activity shown. The motion for mother sweeping the floor, stirring the cake, dusting the furniture may be imitated, while father may be reading the paper, driving a nail, or starting the automobile. This little game gives the necessary physical relaxation and it also makes the child realize more clearly father's and mother's part in the home.

Story: Take Good Care of Mother.

If a story is wanted, the following real incident may be used:

One day a father, a mother, and a little girl of five were riding downtown together on the street car. The father held a big box on his knee and the three were talking together. Whenever they passed anything that the father thought the little girl would like to see, he would say, "Look quick, Marjorie; see that nice garden," or, "There's one of the new auto buses. How would you like to ride on the top of that?" or, "We are coming to the river. Maybe you will see a boat."

By and by the street cars came to the part of the city where there were many high buildings, a great deal of noise, and crowds of people walking very fast.

Then father said: "Mother, I wish I could go with you, but I have to be at my office this morning, you know. I don't quite see how you will get through the crowd with your suitcase and this big box."

Then Marjorie spoke, "I can carry the box, father."

"Well, well," said father, "I believe you can. Here it is!" Just then the conductor called father's street, father kissed mother and Marjorie, and he said to Marjorie, "Remember! Take good care of mother!" And Marjorie did.

Song:

The incident about Marjorie will bring forth confidences about the fathers who go to work every day, where they go and what they do. The following song may be sung:

"When my father goes away,

Says he, 'Little brother,

You must fill my place to-day,

Take good care of mother.'

(Songs for the Little Child.)

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to take good care of mother, and thank you for father.

Handwork:

The child's love for his parents aroused at this time should be given some further expression. The teacher may suggest making a gift for mother which will help her. Perhaps a holder could be made. Two circles 6 by 6 inches may be cut from cloth by the teacher; they may be fitted together by the children, a piece of padding having been put between. Two or three basting stitches will hold them, and the children may overcast the edge, using coarse needles and thread. A little brass ring may be sewed on each holder by which to hang it. Great will be the joy of the children in this little gift. (A word from the teacher to the mother will help to make the mother's appreciation more evident to the child. Some mothers do not realize the extent of a child's effort nor the encouragement which approval brings him.)

LESSON XVI

THANKSGIVING IS COMING

BEFORE the child is ready to express thanksgiving, the teacher must give him a chance to share with her and the other children his anticipated joys. Then he reverently thanks God for them all.

Conversation:

A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving the children always come brimming with anticipations of the festival. Before they are ready to express thanksgiving they must have the opportunity to share with the teacher and each other the joys that are in store. They will tell about the contemplated visit to grandmother's house or about the relatives who are to spend the holiday with them. They will have much to say about what they expect to have for Thanksgiving dinner, principally turkey or chicken, and great will be their happiness in contemplating the fun of it all.

Rhythm:

This joyous mood can best be expressed through a gay skip in which the arms are free and the whole body responds to the rhythm.

Song:

The teacher may put the Thanksgiving Day experience in poetry for them by singing, as many times as they may wish to hear it, the following song:

Glad Thanksgiving Day:

Prayer:

"On glad Thanksgiving Day
The children will be gay.

We like the dinner of turkey and spice;
We like the candies and nuts and ice,

And then we like to play

On glad Thanksgiving Day."

(Songs for the Little Child.)

When the children are glad, they will quickly turn to God to express their gratitude if the suggestion is made to them. This beautiful prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson may be introduced:

Handwork:

"Thanks to our Father we will bring,
For he gives us everything."

The children may have crayon and paper, drawing any part of the Thanksgiving plans which they care to illustrate. It may be grandmother's house, the turkey, the apples, the pie, or grandfather himself. If it seems more desirable, clay may be given (a small piece to each child) and he may make pies, cakes, fruit, vegetables as he chooses. Once again the Thanksgiving experience is lived through the imagination.