[2] See Appendix IV.

7. _TYING A BOW_

_Instructions._--The children should be sitting at desks or tables, and each child should have a yard length of tape or ribbon, one inch in width, and a book with stiff cover. The teacher should first show how to tie the bow by pa.s.sing her ribbon round the neck or wrist of a child, and performing the various movements as they are mentioned in the rhymes and shown in the ill.u.s.trations. This should be done several times very slowly, the words being repeated either by teacher only or by all.

When the children begin to tie the ribbon each round its own book, the teacher should show the various movements as they occur, performing them simultaneously with the scholars. (The numbers refer to fig. 1, which shows the various steps in order.)

[1]Place your ribbon round the book, [2]Cross it--left end at the top; [3]Now the right end take and pa.s.s Over, [4]draw it tight, then stop.

[5]With the right end make a loop.

[6]Draw the left across it, so; [7]Now another loop we make With the left, and [8]pull it through.

'Tying a Knot' (which is more simple than 'Tying a Bow') is given in the 'Kindergarten Guide,' p. 105.[A]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Transcriber's Note: The numbers in this game's instructions correspond to the photo listed here.]

[A] Appendix III.

8. _THIMBLE GAME_

Each child should have a thimble, and the teacher should have one also.

A short conversation about the thimble should precede the game--how it is smooth inside and rough outside. What makes it rough? What are the little holes for? Which is the rim? &c.

(The teacher, if facing the children, should use the left hand for right.)

[1]Pretty little thimble, [2]In your cradle go, [3]I will rock you gently, Gently to and fro.

Now I [4]toss and [5]catch you, [6]Up and down and [7]up; [8]Next I hold my thimble Like a little cup.

[9]On the right thumb place it, Is that right? [10]oh, no!

[11]On your longest finger [12]Should the thimble go.

[1] Hold thimble up between thumb and forefinger of right hand.

[2] Put thimble in left hand, which should be held palm upward and bent to form a cradle.

[3] Sway left hand from left to right.

[4, 5, 6, 7] Toss thimble and catch it.

[8] Hold thimble, rim upwards, between thumb and forefinger of left hand.

[9] Place thimble on right thumb.

[10] Take thimble off.

[11] Hold up middle finger of right hand.

[12] Place thimble on proper finger.

9. _SEWING GAME_

(N.B. In this game, as in No. 8, the teacher, as she faces the scholars, should use her _left_ hand each time the children use the right.)

If the children have been taught the use of the thimble (Game No. 8), they should wear it during this game.

TEACHER

Little children, clean and bright, Show your [1]left hand, show your [2]right, [3]Left forefinger, that will do, [4]Place your sewing round it, so.

[5]Needle in your right hand hold, All should do just what is told; When the number _One_ I call, [6]Take a st.i.tch, dear children all.

[7]_Two_, we show the st.i.tch so neat, [8]Just to see it is a treat.

[9]_Three_, we push the needle's eye With our thimble carefully.

[10]_Four_, we draw the needle out, Minding well what we're about.

Thread from needle need not slip, If a good look-out we keep.

After practising this game several times, the children will be ready for the sewing drill given on p. 270, 'Kindergarten Guide.'

[1] Hold left hand up.

[2] Hold right hand up.

[3] Hold up forefinger of left hand vertically.

[4] Hem of pinafore or pocket handkerchief to be placed round left forefinger.

[5] Hold up right hand with thumb and forefinger in position as if holding needle.

[6] Pretend to take a st.i.tch.

[7] Hold up sewing with both hands.

[8] Hem in position (see No. 4).

[9] Pretend to push needle (which is supposed to be in the hem) with thimble.

[10] Pretend to draw needle out.

10. _KNITTING GAME_

Each child should have a pair of knitting-pins ([A]wooden ones are the best for learning), and the teacher should have a pair also. As the teacher stands facing the children, her _left_ hand is opposite to their _right_, and she should, consequently, use her _left_ needle to take the st.i.tch, &c., otherwise the children will be confused.