5. The Children's Playtime—Team-work in the home. The family group: mutual interest of parents and children. Hospitality and entertaining for children.
Books to Consult—Ellen Key: The Century of the Child. E. S. Martin: The Luxury of Children. Gertrude Jekyll: Children and Gardens. S. D. and M. K. Gordon: Quiet Talks on Home Ideals.
One of the most delightful ways of making home interesting is to encourage the children to give little plays, illustrated poems and shadow pictures. Miss Alcott in Little Women gives the outline of one play which may be prepared easily, and there are others to be had.
X—THE FAMILY AND TRAINING FOR LIFE
1. Training in Work—The spirit of industry. Faithfulness to tasks. Making domestic duties interesting. Study of domestic economy for girls.
2. Training in Culture—Books, music, and pictures. Education in taste. Table-talk about things worth while. Outlook on the world's life.
3. Training in Character—The fundamental virtues: truth, honesty, fortitude, unselfishness. Teaching by reading, by counsel, and by example.
4. Training in Citizenship and Social Usefulness—Discussing politics. The father's politics and the boy's. Active philanthropy. Committee meetings in the home, and their effect on the children.
5. Training in Idealism—The steady ideal. Heroes and hero-worship. Stories of bravery and unselfishness in the daily press. What sort of politician shall boys be taught to admire? Lives of devotion in science, medicine, social service, and missions. Discuss the question: Are our children being really prepared for a broad and useful life-work?
Books to Consult—Lyman Abbott: The Home Builder. Newell Dwight Hillis: The Home School. Theodore T. Munger: On the Threshold. Kate Upson Clark: Bringing up Boys.