SOAP
Hammering (Old-fashioned bar soap, hammer, nails)
A wee child will entertain himself for a long time by hammering nails into a bar of soap if the proper tools be given him. In this simple activity he exercises both mind and body. It requires good coördination on the part of the little one to strike the nail just right, and he enjoys not only the exercise itself, but also the pleasure of imitating the carpenter who uses the hammer so skilfully.
Drawing (White soap, window-pane)
On a day when he must stay indoors, give your child a piece of white soap and let him show you what he can draw upon the window-pane. Ships and trees, houses and flowers have a fairy-like appearance when drawn with this commonplace material upon the impromptu background of glass. This allows the freedom of movement found in blackboard work. It gives scope to the child's imaginative powers and should add nothing to the housekeeper's cares, being readily removed with a damp cloth. It may reveal creative possibilities in some otherwise "mute, inglorious" artist.