d unskilled, gradually advancing toward the normal as
the strength and health of the man grew. So it should be with the
material we should give to the children.
After the toy age a house about two-thirds the ordinary sized house
may be constructed. A room seven feet square is very livable for a
child. Three rooms is a very good working plant--the kitchen and the
bedroom, the dining and living room combined. Both boys and girls may
cooperate in planning, building, and furnishing this home.
The plan of a modern house may be drawn, basing it on the knowledge of
house architecture through history, of the modification necessary to
site through geography, and the knowledge that science has brought of
drainage, ventilation, and construction. The house could be built by
the manual training class, or if that is not feasible it may be built
by one of the firms making portable houses. At all events, it can be
painted by the children, and this will lead to lessons on color, the
use of paint and its composition.
While the "shelter" is being constructed the child must be considering
at the same time the principles of caring for the home, for this would
naturally influence the thought of furnishing. The simply furnished
home means less physical exertion, but not less beauty. The home
planned and executed on scientific principles of hygiene and
sanitation means a healthful home, a much cleaner home.
The shelter of the individual has been considered; now comes the
immediate protection of the child--its clothing. It would not be quite
practical in this little home to enter into the personal activities of
bathing and dressing. A very large doll, approximating the child, may
be used, one large enough so that it can wear boots, stockings, etc.,
that are usually bought for the real child. Here can be taught also
the lesson in wise spending.
The right care of the body must be included among the necessities of
education. The teaching of the principles of hygiene should be closely
related to the lives of the children. Correct habits, not rules, are
the proper prevention for all sorts of defects. To secure and maintain
a healthy body, habits of cleanliness and enthusiasm for health must
be inculcated. Such habits can be readily impressed on the body while
it is plastic--that is, while it is young; but they are acquired only
with difficulty and by much thought in after years. Hence there is the
greatest economy of time and energy in acc
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