NOTES:
[1] Hold thimble up between thumb and forefinger of right hand.
[2] Put thimble in left hand, which should be held palm upward and bent to form a cradle.
[3] Sway left hand from left to right.
[8] Hold thimble, rim upwards, between thumb and forefinger of left hand.
[9] Place thimble on right thumb.
[10] Take thimble off.
[11] Hold up middle finger of right hand.
[12] Place thimble on proper finger.
9. SEWING GAME
(N.B. In this game, as in No. 8, the teacher, as she faces the scholars, should use her left hand each time the children use the right.)
If the children have been taught the use of the thimble (Game No. 8), they should wear it during this game.
Show your [1]left hand, show your [2]right,
[3]Left forefinger, that will do,
[4]Place your sewing round it, so.
[5]Needle in your right hand hold,
All should do just what is told;
When the number One I call,
[6]Take a stitch, dear children all.
[7]Two, we show the stitch so neat,
[8]Just to see it is a treat.
[9]Three, we push the needle's eye
With our thimble carefully.
[10]Four, we draw the needle out,
Minding well what we're about.
Thread from needle need not slip,
If a good look-out we keep.
After practising this game several times, the children will be ready for the sewing drill given on p. 270, 'Kindergarten Guide.'
NOTES:
[1] Hold left hand up.
[2] Hold right hand up.
[3] Hold up forefinger of left hand vertically.
[4] Hem of pinafore or pocket handkerchief to be placed round left forefinger.
[5] Hold up right hand with thumb and forefinger in position as if holding needle.
[6] Pretend to take a stitch.
[7] Hold up sewing with both hands.
[8] Hem in position (see No. 4).
[9] Pretend to push needle (which is supposed to be in the hem) with thimble.
[10] Pretend to draw needle out.
10. KNITTING GAME
Each child should have a pair of knitting-pins ([A]wooden ones are the best for learning), and the teacher should have a pair also. As the teacher stands facing the children, her left hand is opposite to their right, and she should, consequently, use her left needle to take the stitch, &c., otherwise the children will be confused.
If you listen, dears, to me;
And I'm sure you will admit
It is easy as can be.
Put the pins all ready,[1] so,
Hold one firmly with each hand;
Then the knitting drill I give
You must try to understand.
[2]Take a stitch at number One,
And when I say, 'Number Two,'
[3]Hold the wool in your right hand,
And then throw it over, so.
[4]Now the pin that's underneath
To the top must come at Three,
[5]Slip the loop at number Four
From the left pin carefully.
When the above game has been repeated several times, the children will be ready for the Knitting Drill given on p. 274 of 'Kindergarten Guide.'
NOTES:
[1] Teacher puts her pins in position.
[2] Put end of right pin under end of left.
[3] Pretend to put wool round end of right-hand pin as in actual knitting.
[4] Bring right-hand pin to the top.
[5] Slide the right pin off the left.
11. THE SIGN-POST
Directions.—The children make roads by standing in lines (see diagram). Four children should stand at the place marked × (see fig. 2), one child facing each road, and holding in its two hands a good-sized strip of cardboard, with the name of a town or village to which the road is supposed to lead printed thereon. It would be well to use the names of places in the district with which the children are familiar. Some of the children must be little travellers, and come walking up the different roads until they reach the sign-post, then all repeat the lines:
Which way to go, which way to go,
But here's a sign-post that will tell;
Ah! now they know the way quite well.
The travellers should be told the names on the sign-post before starting, and each should choose the place to which he will journey. After the lines are repeated, each traveller takes the road that leads to his destination.
Preliminary.—One of her Majesty's inspectors remarked on one occasion that he could judge of the intelligence and manners of a school by the way in which its scholars playing in the street would reply if asked a question as to the whereabouts of any particular place in the locality.
It is doubtless desirable that children should know something of the streets and roads of the district in which they live, and if they have clear ideas as to the meaning of 'right' and 'left,' the following game should help them in describing the position of places.
The streets may be made by the children themselves standing in rows, as in the preceding game; or if the space available be small, the children may stand round the room, while the plan of the streets is chalked on the floor. There should be one central street, with others branching out of it right and left, and each should be named. It may be possible to arrange and name the streets of some district with which the children are familiar. The name of each should be written on a card and placed at the end of the street. The accompanying diagram will illustrate the playing of the game. We will suppose that a little girl comes walking up Victoria Road, and at the point × meets a gentleman (a little boy), who asks, 'Can you please direct me to Queen Street?' 'Yes,' she replies, 'it is the second turning on the left.' The place of meeting may be varied, and the children will then see that the terms 'right' and 'left' are interchangeable, according to the direction in which we are walking. In the following instance, e.g. Queen Street is on the right instead of left. More difficult questions may be asked as the children get to understand better, such as, 'Which is the way to Alexandra Road?' (starting from *). 'Take the second turning to the right, then turn to left, and it is the first street on the right.'
13. POLITENESS IN STREETS
The streets (p. 26) of Game No. 12 may be utilised for this game. The children should have on their hats and caps, and walk along the streets. The game is intended to teach them how to behave when walking; they should keep to the right, not speak loudly, and the boys should raise their caps when they meet anyone who acknowledges them.
When the game is fairly started, the two verses which follow may be repeated by all the children:
When in the street you walk,
And please remember this—
Do not too loudly talk.
We must not stare at folks,
Or turn to look behind;
Be kind, but never rude—
A good rule you will find.
A little girl who is walking drops her handkerchief; then, after going a few yards further, stops and says:
I must have dropped it somewhere near.
A boy who has picked it up advances and offers it to the lady, at the same time raising his cap, and the lady says 'Thank you.' The game may be continued at the teacher's discretion, and the verses again repeated.
14. DRESSING CHILDREN
About a dozen of the older children stand in the centre of the room, and a number of the little ones come in with coat and hat in hand. The older children repeat the verse:
See they come with hat in hand.
Bigger children always should
To little ones be kind and good.
The younger children then advance, and the others proceed with the dressing. First the coat is put on and carefully buttoned, then the hats or hoods are tied on, and the little child says 'Thank you.'
This game should be played just before the children are dismissed, or before playtime.
N.B.—How to tie a bow may be learnt from Game No. 7, p. 12.
Object of Game.—Anyone who has observed children cannot fail to have noticed how very often they have to be prompted to express their thanks for kindnesses received. It is hoped that this little game may be of use in impressing the lesson, so often reiterated by parents and others.
A 'house' is formed by a ring of children (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31). There should be three children in the ring to represent 'John,' 'Maud,' and the 'Baby,' also an older girl for the 'Mother.' The 'Father' is supposed to be away on a journey, and preparations are being made for his return. The 'Mother' and 'Maud' lay the table for tea (see Game No. 1, which is similar), and the other two children may be looking at a picture-book or watching for Father's return at the door or window. When he arrives, each member of the family greets him; one takes his hat, another his bag, and a chair is placed for him at the table. Then the children take their places, and the Mother pours the tea.
After the meal is finished, the Father opens his portmanteau, and looking into it, says:
[Takes out the ball and gives it.]
Baby
Oh, thank you, thank you, Father dear.
Father
A skipping-rope for Maud is this,
[Presents it to Maud.]
Maud
I thank you, Father, with a kiss.
[Kisses Father.]
Father
This cricket-ball for John will do.
[Hands John the ball.]
John
Thank you, Papa, 'tis kind of you.
Frontispiece.—Twenty or thirty children might very well combine to make the 'house,' instead of ten as shown here. The two girls who cross hands form the 'door.' The boy on the left of the door grasps the girdle of the girl with his right hand, while the boy on the right places his left hand on the girl's shoulder to make the 'latch.' To open the 'door' we lift the 'latch,' and then push the girl on the right gently inside the ring, the girl on the left moving with her.
To knock at the 'door' we rap on the floor.
16. GOING ERRANDS
The children join hands and stand round to form a 'house' and 'garden' (see diagram). A space is left for the gateway of the 'garden.' For 'door' of house see Frontispiece.
In the 'house' stands one of the bigger girls to represent the 'mother,' and there should also be a little chair, and a doll's cradle with a doll in it.
In the 'garden' eight or ten children are engaged in playing a game. ('Drop, Drop, Drop,' No. 41, p. 74, would do nicely.) One of the girls must represent 'Nellie,' and one of the boys 'Johnnie.' As the game proceeds, the 'mother' comes to the door and calls:
[Nellie at once answers:
'Yes, mother.'
[Leaves game immediately and runs to mother.]
Mother
Baby cries, just soothe her, Nell.
Rock the cradle; that is well.
[Nellie sits down and rocks the cradle.]
The game proceeds for a little while, and then the 'mother' calls again:
[Johnnie runs quickly to the 'mother.']
Mother
Go round to the shop for me.
[Gives him money and a basket.]
Johnnie may go outside the room and come back again, or the game 'Shopping' (No. 6, p. 10) may be played, having been previously prepared in another part of the room, and Johnnie may go to the shop for what his mother requires. When he has returned, all the children say:
When your mother's voice is heard,
Leave your play whene'er she calls
Quickly mind her every word.
17. TAKING FATHER'S TEA
A classroom may be used for the 'house' and another for the 'workshop,' or they may both be made by rings of children (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31). Between the 'house' and the 'workshop' there should be a 'street' (see Game No. 12, p. 24). In the workshop there should be 'joiners' planing, hammering, sawing, &c. (a set of toy tools might be used for this), and in the 'house' a little girl should represent the 'mother.'
Two children come walking quickly down the 'street' towards the 'house,' saying:
To take our father's tea, you know.
They enter the 'house,' and the 'mother' gives a jug to one and a basket to the other, and says:
And make good haste lest it get cold.
Children reply:
We'll mind right well—and now, away.
They walk up the 'street' to the 'workshop,' and the 'father'—a joiner with sleeves rolled up—comes to the door.
Father takes the jug and basket, saying:
I am working late to-day.
Children say 'Good-bye,' and run off.
INVITATIONS
Preliminary.—Children should be taught to express thanks not only for tangible presents, as in Game No. 15, but also for kindness or favours received. The two games which follow are intended to teach this.
18. INVITATION TO PLAY
A house with garden is needed; to make this the children join hands and stand as shown in diagram, p. 32. In the 'house' there should be a 'mother,' and in the 'garden' a number of children playing with ball or skipping-rope. A smaller 'house' is required at some distance from the first. In this, also, there should be a 'mother'—(Mrs. Day), and a little girl—(Nell). A classroom may be used for this 'house' if more convenient.
As the play proceeds the 'mother' comes to the 'door' to watch the children's game. Presently one of them—a boy—runs up to her and says:
To come and have a game of play?
[The other children come and cluster round.]
Mother
Oh, yes! I will a message send—
An invitation for your friend.
Just go and ask if Mrs. Day
Can spare Nellie to come all day.
All the Children
Thank you, mother.
The boy runs off to Mrs. Day's house and knocks. Mrs. Day answers the door.
Please, Mrs. Day, may Nellie come
To play all day with us at home?
If Mrs. Day says 'Yes,' Nell should reply, 'Thank you, mother,' and Mrs. Day should also send a message of thanks to the boy's mother. When Nell is ready, they run off hand in hand.
19. INVITATION TO DRIVE
The house and garden described in Game No. 16, p. 32, will do quite well for this also, but the children are to be at work instead of play. One child may be fetching water, another minding the baby, and another watering the garden or going errands. A gentleman (boy) comes to the garden-gate (a space is left for the gateway), with 'carriage' and 'horses'; the 'carriage' is made in the same way as the 'coach' (Game No. 24, p. 48), and has two horses instead of four. Gentleman walks through the 'garden,' knocks at the door, and says:
I'll drive your children out to-day.
Mother
I thank you, sir [beckons children to her]; come children! [children run to her].
Gentleman
Such busy, happy children, they
Shall drive with me far, far away.
Children
Oh, thank you, sir, 'twill pleasant be
To ride with you nice things to see.
Children enter carriage, waving hands to 'mother,' and saying:
The horses gallop fast, we know.
This game may be used for a class of children, or for a few only. In the former case, the majority of the scholars would, of course, be lookers-on.
Half a dozen boys and girls should be playing in different parts of the room; one might be drawing, another building, and a third looking at a picture-book; or they might all be joining to play a game together. A big girl or the teacher represents the elder sister, who repeats (or sings to the tune of 'The Campbells are Coming') the four lines following:
And sister must wash you, as mother said,
The hands and the faces will all be clean,
Such nice, happy children, shall ne'er be seen.
The children instantly put toys and books away in their proper places, and reply:
Pray where do they live? We do not want them here.
Merry, happy little children, come and get well scrubbed,
But do not cry when you are washed and rubbed.
The 'sister' pretends to wash all the children; then they say:
Some folks pout and say, 'Oh! let me play instead.'
Merry, happy little children, laughing go away,
Good-night, good-night, we'll play another day.
The children go out of the room kissing hands to those who are left, or to the elder 'sister.'
21. WASHING ONE'S SELF
The teacher may repeat the lines, accompanying them with the actions, which the children imitate, or the children may learn and repeat the words themselves.
[2]Palms we rub and [3]backs as well,
[4]Round the wrist we leave no mark,
Else a sad tale that would tell;
[5]Rub the knuckles, [6]brush nails, too,
Clean, bright[7] hands nice work can do.
Now 'tis time to [8]wash your face,
[9]Soap your hands, and [10]rub away,
[11]Gently round the ears we go,
[12]Don't forget your eyes, I say;
[13]Nose, and [14]mouth, and [15]forehead high,
[16]All to make quite clean we try.
NOTES:
Actions.—
[1] Pretend to wash hands.
[2] Rub palms together.
[3] Rub back of left hand with palm of right.
[4] Wash left wrist, then right.
[5] Rub knuckles of both hands.
[6] Brush nails of left hand with right fist.
[7] Show hands.
[8] Touch face with both hands.
[9] Pretend to rub soap on hands.
[10] Rub hands together.
[11] Wash the ears.
[12] Wash eyes.
[13] Rub the nose.
[14] Wash round mouth.
[15] Rub forehead.
[16] Rub all the face.
22. ASKING FOR DRINK OF WATER
Preliminary.—This little game may be used to teach children to be courteous to strangers, and it should also teach them how to carry liquid without spilling.
Directions.—The school or classroom should be the 'house,' and a boy (representing the man who asks for water) should go outside. One child is required to answer the door, and another may carry the glass of water, or the same child may do both.
The 'man' comes and knocks at the door, which is opened by a little girl; he then says:
You'll give me, madam, this hot day.
A child walks across the room with the glass of water, which should be carried on a plate or small tray, without spilling, and hands it to the man, who takes it, saying, 'Thank you.' When he has finished drinking, he returns the glass, and the child says 'Good-day,' and closes the door.
23. THE FOX AND THE TIGER
Directions.—The 'tiger' (a boy) hides in a 'forest,' which the children make by standing at irregular intervals and representing trees. Each child should name the tree it chooses, the following rhyme gives the names of a few common trees:
Are the names of English trees,
Elm and willow, poplar, ash,
Soon you will remember these.
The children should see leaves from each tree, and country children should be shown the trees themselves with the leaves growing on them. The 'den' of the 'fox' is at the edge of the 'forest,' and is made by ten children standing as shown in fig. 3. The four children who form the entrance join hands as shown, and the other six meet hands in centre. A better way of making the den would be for each child to hold a branch of a tree, then the branches would meet instead of the hands. The children who stand for 'trees' in the 'forest' wave branches, if the latter are obtainable; if not, the arms are waved for branches. One of the bigger girls should be the 'fox,' and two or three of the smallest children should be cubs, and go into the den with the fox. Then the fox comes walking out of the den, and says:
For dinner this fine day,
And you, my pretty cubs,
Will stay at home and play.
While she is absent, the tiger comes softly into the den and takes one of the cubs (leading the child away by the hand). Presently the fox returns, goes into the den, misses the cub, and chases the tiger.
24. THE COACH GAME
The 'coach' is formed by children standing in position as shown on diagram. All the children face the same way. 1, 2, 3, 4 are 'horses' and join hands behind, as in 'Bell-horses'; 5, 6, 7, 8 join hands to make the front part of the 'coach'; '5' holds the coat of 'horse' No. 1 with right hand, while '8' holds coat of '4' with left; 9, 10, 11, 12 each hold the dress of the child standing in front; 13, 14, 15, 16 join hands; '13' catches hold of No. 11 with right hand, and '16' holds the dress of No. 12 with left. When the 'coach' is ready, the 'driver' (a boy) repeats the lines:
The door, you see, is open wide.
Four 'passengers' advance, and the 'driver' makes way for them to enter the 'coach' between '10' and '12,' saying:
Then ready! steady! right away!
The 'door' is closed by '12' again grasping the dress of '10,' and the 'coach' moves off. The 'horses' should not go very quickly, else the 'coach' will probably lose its shape. The 'passengers' walk along with the 'coach' until their destination is reached, when the 'driver' opens the door and allows them to alight.
The above game may be played in conjunction with Nos. 25, 26 and 27.
This game may be played immediately after 'The Coach,' or it may be played alone.
Directions.—The 'stable' is formed by a number of children who stand in rows (see diagram) and join hands.