When to Give Toys to Children
When a child is over the gravest or most serious part of its illness and is on the mend, it may be allowed to play with small toys. But the crib or the bed should not be loaded with playthings. It is better to give but one at a time and let the interest be exhausted in that before giving another, changing, perhaps, several times at each playtime. Children find more amusement in simple toys, or in something from which they can “make something,” than from expensive, elaborate play¬things. If they are old enough, let them have cardboard, paper, scissors and paste. It is often better to leave the child to himself and his own devices for a good share of the time than to try all the time to amuse him.
In reading to children select stories that are not too excit¬ing, long or tedious. Something that is quietly amusing or entertaining and suitable to the child’s state of mental devel¬opment is best. There should be no attempt to teach during illness; the object of reading and story-telling is to entertain. Children easily tire of another’s reading and, for that matter, of anything that is long continued. If the child does his own reading, be especially careful that the light is arranged at the back, or back and side; that it is not glaring; that the print is of good size; that the child is in good position and holding the book properly, or resting it properly upon an adjustable reading board; and do not allow long reading periods or ex¬citing stories.