Part 1 (2/2)

CHAPTER I

THE SECRETS OF THE MARKET BASKET

The busy but thoughtful mother will find in the contents of the market basket many possibilities for happily employing the creative instinct of her child. We give a few suggestions which demand activity of both mind and body.

STRAWBERRY-BOXES

=Seed-Markers= (_No tools needed but the fingers_)

Remove the rim of wood which binds the box into shape, that the little tacks may not injure the child. Then let him tear the sides and bottom into little slats which can be used as seed-markers. Older children can write upon them the names of seeds, and when planted put one of these slats into the ground to indicate where the seeds may be expected to come up.

The little child enjoys the sense of power that he feels simply in being able to tear these boxes apart, but let there be a thought back of the action if it seem to degenerate into pure destructiveness.

=Toy-Fences= (_Employing fingers only_)

Split the boxes with the fingers into pieces wide or narrow, as desired, and the slats thus made can be turned into fences for the play farm in the sand-box, or for borders for small flower beds. (1) Stick them into the sand or earth side by side, to suggest a plain board fence; or (2) Put very narrow ones at short intervals apart to suggest a picket fence.

=Toy-Fences= (_Scissors_, _tacks_)

If old enough to use scissors, let the child cut the boxes apart with long scissors and use for fences as before. (1) Side by side for board fence. (2) Cut into very narrow strips for picket fence. Use the rim of the basket for the rail to unite the pickets, fastening them with the tiny tacks which are already in it. Pickets might be one inch apart.

Cutting the tops of the pickets into points will complete the resemblance to a real fence. Put the rails about one-half inch from top.

=Boxes for tacks, seeds, etc.= (_Scissors_, _paste_, _paste-sticks_, _ribbon, 8-1/2 inches long, 1-1/2 inches wide_, _wall-paper_, _pan with water_)

Take two pieces of a box, each measuring 2 5 inches. Soak in water till soft. Place one directly across the middle of the other, and bend the four projecting ends up perpendicularly into box form. (1) Hold the sides in place by winding the ribbon around the four sides, till they meet, and paste the one overlapping end over the other. (2) Cut a piece of wall-paper (obtainable often from a wall-hanger's shop) into a strip 1-1/2 8-1/2 inches and wind around, pasting one end over the other. If the child is inexperienced the paper may be cut of exactly the height of box. If skillful in so doing, let him cut the strip 1/2 inch wider and turn down over the top to give a little finish. This gives practice in neatness and skill.

Let the child observe how a Swedish matchbox is made--the wood held together by strips of thin but tough paper--and then carry his thought to the far-distant land which sends us the magic wands that give us light with safety. And all carried in a tiny box made of wood and paper.

Decalcomanias might be used for decoration of the plain wooden box.

Let the child experiment in making boxes of different shapes and sizes for his collections of seeds, stones, etc. This cultivates his ingenuity and practical imagination.

=Picture Frames= (_Scissors_, _thumb-tacks_, _gold paint_, _water-colors_, _glue_)

Cut three slats, each 1 8 inches, to make triangular frame. Unite with thumb-tacks, one at each of the three corners. To place them exactly the right way may take a little experimenting, which helps develop the child's sense of proportion and arrangement. When joined, cut off the projecting parts at the top to give pointed effect. Good for pictures of Indians, as wigwam is suggested. Decorate by gilding or painting. Can be painted with Ivory paints or water-colors.

=Chicken-Coops= (_Scissors_, _glue_)

Remove the rim, bottom (in one piece) and two adjoining sides of a berry box. This leaves two sides remaining which are already bent into correct form for coop. Cut the bottom of the box in half from corner to corner.

This gives the triangular back of the coop which must be glued on. The slats must now be made and put into place. Cut three slats each 3/8 inches wide. (1) In each of the two front edges of the coop cut three horizontal slits 3/8 inches deep; slip the slats into these and cut off the projecting ends. The slats at the top will necessarily be shorter than those at the bottom. (2) Or an older child can cut in each of the two edges 3 notches 3/8 inches deep and 3/8 inches high and glue the slats into these, thus:

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