they are only learning _how_, and that each
successful attempt brings the delightful day nearer when they may have a
loom to work upon, they are perfectly satisfied.

[Sidenote: _Long slat weaving_]

When the children have learned to weave the small mats, further practice
can be had by weaving long slats into a warp of cord on the loom. It is
better to conquer the mystery of "over and under" in this way than to
undo the work and wear out the material after making a mistake.

[Sidenote: _Paper mats_]

Many teachers prefer to make the practice mats of paper because they are
cheaper. Heavy paper, in desirable colors, can be obtained at the
wholesale paper houses, and for a small sum can be cut in squares of any
required size. Mats can be made more durable by pasting them on heavy
muslin before cutting. In many schools children in grades above the
entering room prepare their own mats by measuring with tablets or rulers
and then drawing and cutting on the lines. When they have learned to do
them well, let each child make one for the entering room. Nothing
strengthens the community feeling so much in a school as to encourage
the older pupils to help the younger.

[Sidenote: _Mat weaving in the kindergarten_]

The mat-weaving, as it is done in the kindergarten, is very beautiful
and fascinating work. The mats can be obtained in any size and any width
of strips at the supply stores. The weaving is done with a long steel
needle which has a spring at one end to hold the strip. After
preliminary work with the felt mats and slats the children find
themselves able to weave quite independently, particularly if
demonstration cards or sample mats are placed before the class. An
infinite variety of patterns, which later will be useful in
wool-weaving, can be found in the "Kindergarten Guides." In weaving
patterns having a center, it is better to weave two strips at once,
pushing one to the top and one to the bottom of the mat. The old numbers
of the Godey and Peterson magazines have patterns for Berlin wool and
bead work which can be used for the paper mats with good effect. Mrs.
Kate Douglas Wiggin (Mrs. Riggs) has some good suggestions for invention
in weaving, in her "Republic of Childhood" (Occupations). The value of
weaving in number work is also admirably set forth in this book.

[Sidenote: _Gifts_]

At Christmas time many charming little gifts can be made of these mats.
Sachet cases made of a six or eight inch square, w