| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I. | [The Secrets of the Market Basket] | 11 |
| II. | [Mother Nature's Horn of Plenty] | 39 |
| III. | [Saved from the Scrap Basket] | 53 |
| IV. | [The Sewing-Basket] | 69 |
| V. | [The Paint Box] | 73 |
| VI. | [Dolls and Doll-Houses] | 80 |
| VII. | [Plays and Games] | 92 |
| VIII. | [Festival Occasions] | 107 |
| IX. | [The Key Basket] | 141 |
| X. | [The Child's Library] | 149 |
| XI. | [Kindergarten Materials—The Gifts] | 155 |
| XII. | [ " " —The Occupations] | 164 |
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)