From: Krasna, Bessarabia
12 August 1912

(Second Continuation)

In my first continuation about the upbringing of children at age 3 through 7 years, the subject was how the child plays and what it likes to play the most. Since this subject has not been entirely addressed, we now want to talk about the rest.

When a boy wants to play with dolls, and a girl with horses and whips, then let them do it. It will do no harm and it will not last long. The most useful games for boys as well as for girls will always remain those with which they can accomplish a variety of things. Therefore for girls, dolls which they can dress and undress, take to bed, and dress them in different ways, furniture, like little toy beds and so on, which they can take apart and reassemble; for boys, hunting, soldiers, flags, sabers, rifles and cannons, building blocks and so on. These also can be put up in different ways, then toppled or shot down. I like a boy who after two hours has ruined his lead or brass pocket watch, meaning, he took it apart to scrutinize the inside of it, a hundred times more than a boy who does not damage nor examine anything.

It is a fact that there are children who do not know how to keep themselves busy and therefore are not able to play. One has to feel sorry for them. But one has to be patient with them, because the joy and know-how of playing cannot be forced. Nothing good would come of it to remind such children to play. On the contrary, does it not happen now and then, that bringing in children who love to play will awaken the dormant joy of playing in other children? Even if at first they are just spectators, as time goes on they will assist. That’s when one should let them participate and not disturb, even if they act awkward. Of course, at any cost, one should not make fun of such a child. Particularly, those children will also learn how to play if the mother sits down next to them and unnoticeably starts a game without asking the child to play along so that it believes that the mother is playing for her own enjoyment. To such children one should also tell short stories about a child who always played alone and was well behaved.

Finally, it is also recommended to bring playing partners to the child. When the child realizes that persons it gets in touch with show an interest for games, voice their participation, be it through kind words, advice, action, or through checking the toys, then it will also experience more joy and soon will learn to play better. And you siblings, do not make a bad thing worse by scolding your smaller siblings and be all riled up when they receive many expensive, and often completely useless games and presents for birthdays or Christmas from their friends or godparents. Be happy, however, with the little ones; help them enjoy and value the presents as much as possible; explain to them precisely the purpose and composition. Play with them if possible. Slowly and secretly put some of the things away. See to it that the little ones also will get really simple toys that cost very little or nothing at all. The value of the toy cannot be based on its cost. This, I believe, should be adequate and give sufficient information on how and with what a child can effectively play.

We now want to continue on our path and take a look at how long a child should play. When a child grows weary and becomes surfeit, one should not demand that it should continue to play. On the contrary, one should pay attention not to let the child become tired in the first place. The child should play continuously just as little as it would later on continuously learn in school. Yes, it may be idle if it chooses to and do so without being bored.

The picking up and putting away the toy is a more important subject than one realizes. Often this easily becomes a game in itself. It is completely wrong when someone other than the child puts the toys away. If, during the clearing of toys, the child forgets and does not finish with that while it puts things in order, once one way and then another, and ends up with playing again, then one should look upon it with patience. In the end, one should help with clearing the toys when the time has come for other activities, such as eating, drinking, or going to bed. However, picking up and clearing must be done before anything else is started. It is unreal and somewhat forced, if one tries to instill a liking in the child with games and toys. For instance, mentioning that it should have nicer ones or, that an old doll has to be done away with because she became ugly. Wrong, in many respects the child loves this toy more now, even though the doll may not either have neither a nose, nor ears anymore, or be headless. Virtually this shortfall stimulates the child’s fantasy. Maybe it imagines a nicer head for the doll, even nicer than the porcelain head was. Also, because of these shortfalls, the child will attribute the doll a different personality, letting it soon become a young, then an old, followed by a healthy, then a sick, soon a distinguished, then a common lady, then let it soon be a boy, then a girl.

Now I want to move a little closer to school, but still remain with rearing a child up to age seven. It is definitely not an educational theory, yes, it is a sin to take children who are not yet compulsory for school, as “Fröbel” recommends, and formally educate them while they are playing. Because in this case everything natural and freedom of choice come to a halt. However, it is not a recommended game, if the teaching does not immediately take place in regard to firstly intellect, secondly manners, and thirdly intentions, even if it is merely looked at as passing time. Playing, although it may seem useless, should serve as a motivation for creativity. Such as the building block kits whose components can be utilized to assemble hundreds of things. Also, games which require patience and with whose components one can only assemble one single assignment are much less of value than those with whose single parts one can put together an endless number of figures. Games requiring patience are for older (for seven to nine years old) children. Play Mates. – Camaraderie in playing is something natural, pleasant, kind, and develops a many sided cultivation. Just because of that it is something of importance, which deserves a lot of attention. Rather a few play mates than too many! Rather none, than with misbehaving and not being in the same age group, and with different habits! Just as soon none, instead of spoiling the child to the point where it could not play and be happy without playing with such. Should the fellowship become and remain as desired, then the exchange among the single members has to be fairly suitable. No one should be remarkably above or below someone else. Playing at this age is pretty much the same as later on the learning. Therefore every attentive mother will soon experience that at that time she will find more opportunities than in any other situation for the upbringing and the habits of the child. Because of that, it is of utmost importance that from the very beginning she appears with certain principles and not to leave anything to chance.

One of the first principles here has to be that everything is called by its proper name. The child, for instance, has to be told that it is envy when it turns sad seeing another child momentarily playing contently with its toys, when at the same time it cannot possibly participate. Further, that it is stinginess when it does not like to give up that which it does not know what to do with. Likewise, it has to be told that it is disobedience when it does not respond immediately to the call of its mother to leave playing momentarily, and so on. At the end of this article I would like to mention some games that can be included among minor activities. These are the following:

• 1. Wind and unwind string, yarn, thread, silk, ribbons, etc.
• 2. Ripping up material.
• 3. Plugging wool.
• 4. Sorting barley, lentils, peas, beans, etc.
• 5. Sorting and stringing of pearls.
• 6. Sorting of long, narrow, evenly cut paper strips, single or multi-colored for plaiting.
• 7. Watering of plants and flowers in the garden, assist with weeding.
• 8. Girls who play with kitchen utensils and dolls should be allowed to put these things in order, sort them out and put them back together. They should be allowed to wash, scrub and dust. One should motivate them to do some chores in the house.

(Continuation follows)

Postscript: The words by editor and business manager F. L. Brandt in Issue #2 for the 7th anniversary are splendid, precious and accurate. Whoever understands them will find that the conscientious and circumspect editorial and businesslike management of a newspaper, the likes of the Staats-Anzeiger, is among the most difficult in the world. We only want to look back to Devils Lake, how and what it was there, and how and what it is today in Bismarck.

After such a look back, certainly every reader, every correspondent, and every employee of the paper will surely convey their most sincere thanks to Mr. Brandt for the restoration and order of the newspaper.

Just the way it started to go out of business in Devils Lake, so it got a fresh start again with zest in no time at all in Bismarck and reflects a totally new spirit. Therefore, I hope that Mr. Brandt, the editor, will always keep the paper under his personal leadership for the enjoyment of the many readers, correspondents, and fellow employees. It is my wish that everyone concerned makes a renewed effort in line with this 7th anniversary, so that the Staats-Anzeiger will become the mirror of the German People, a stable refuge of German culture, and of everything good and nice. (*Editor: The hope of the esteemed colleague will become a reality – matter of fact it has already come true – and we only hope that our correspondents and readers will strongly assist us with this task as they always have done under our leadership. May they all pursue the same high and noble goals, which we have set for ourselves! A sincere ‘Thank You’ to our correspondent for this expression of praise.)

One could not ask for better weather these days. It is very favorable, especially for root crops. Krasna can look forward to a crop of Welsh corn, which has never been better before.

I sincerely greet my old colleague Anton Jochim and his wife, as well as the editorship and the entire Staats-Anzeiger reader’s circle.

Devotedly,
Romuald Dirk

From: Emmental, Bessarabia
26 August 1912

It is a sad time when it rains buttermilk and snows sauerkraut! So it is with us, dear reader. Let me briefly describe our weather. We had plenty of snow and rain in the winter. All farmers had high hopes for a good harvest. It was a failed speculation, however. We had very little rain in April and night frosts. We had plenty of rain in May and beautiful growing weather. All of the grain looked picture perfect. People were beginning to recuperate from the scare of April. The farmers stood by with machines and implements to tackle the harvest, which would help pay off old and new debt. They never even thought that half those wonderful heads of grain could be empty. As soon as the threshing began, the crying started. One would say he had threshed a load of wheat and yielded scarcely eight measures when they expected 75.

The complaining continued and in addition, the weather turned poor. One could not remain at work without interruption when it would begin to rain halfway into the threshing. So the little grain there was now rots as the rain continues. It is already the eleventh day of rain. We cannot change it. It is the will of God and He rules.

We have a few eager hunters here as well, and they are willing to walk the soles off their shoes for a little rabbit worth perhaps 30 kopeks and miss church because of the buck fever or rabbit fever. My cousin Anton Gedak in Krasna is also an avid hunter; so don't be mad, Anton, if the shoe fits…!

In Issue #1, I saw a letter from my dear brother Joseph M. Kopp and was overjoyed. He should write more often!

(*Publisher: I am sure you are receiving your paper again. We are sorry about the misunderstanding.)

I read the paper at my brother-in-law's, Joseph Reis. At the time I was paperless.

It is raining again today. Tomorrow is market day in Kainari. If the rain stops, I may go there.

Greetings to Cousin Peter Krenzel! I sent him a portrait.

I have a riddle: The rooster crows softly in Altenburg. Who is the letter for? (*Publisher: Secretary of the Chancellor, Hahn (rooster) in Altenburg. We found it appropriate to print the solution right away.)

I would be very grateful for the address of Nikolaus Teres [Ternes].

Greetings to my old mother and to my brothers in Canada. I will write to them soon! Also greetings to the circle of readers!

Zachäus Kopp,
Son of Martin