Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1914 — How Can the Teaching of Domestic Science Aid in the Sanitation, Decoration and Economy of the Home? [ARTICLE]

How Can the Teaching of Domestic Science Aid in the Sanitation, Decoration and Economy of the Home?

” Almost without exception the little daughters ih the rural district of Indiana become first assistant to their mothers at an early age. During the many months of school they may Re instructed in the fundamental principals of sanitation, decoration and economy, showing them their importance. And the application in the homes will make a decided change for the better. First of all they should learn to keep the body and clothing clean and neat. Being careful in these essentials will add materially in forming habits of doing work in the proper way. Teach them that dirt in food stuffs not only produces bad odors and flavors, but actlially rajpair health, that aid laden with dust is injurious to the delicate tissues of the breathing apparatus, that dust particles often carry disease germs, so they will be more thorough when performing The tasks that fair to - their lot. In sweeping if it he a carpet the broom may be dampened or small bits of wet paper or common salt may be strewn over the floor to keep the dust down and always take short even strokes with the broom, not to flirt the dirt. In dutsing a damp rag, or better, one saturated with parafine oil, will take up the particles without causing them to fly into the air as the “old feather dutser” does, only to settle again on the furniture. Tell them to wash dishes in hot water, afterward scalding and drying with a clean cloth, then the silver and glasses just shine, while it gives the plates V splendid high polish. It may change the mental attitude when they note the effect. Children want reasons for things, and in my estimation to give them is a teacher’s vocation. Mothers with ther untold number of duties, have so little time to explain and give details, even if she knew, while often she knows that certain results are acquired from different causes, hut she is helpless when it comes to making statement as to why she hag not the knowledge, never having had an opportunity to learn these underlying principles. Among other things it could he demonstrated in the school room that dampness encourages the growth of mould on bread and fruit, mildue on clothing, rust on steel >and iron. Show how to avoid -such conditions.- Dwell on the*ub»ject of irhpure water with its many, dangers. t Under the head of decorations giris will learn that imitations, whether they he in furniture, carpets or bric-a-brac, fail to give real satisfaction; that rooms are made to look larger when the walls are covered with plain paper, also Where rooms may be thrown into one large one, contrasting. colors should not be;used, but a blending of the'saine. AH upholstered chairs and couches are yeritable dust collectors. Floor coverings should be chosen with a view to durability, cleanliness and the general comfort of the family. Conditions vary greatly. The kitchen, for instance, may have linoleum a* it does not take up stains or grease; sleeping roms are far more sanitary with only a small rug, while the appearance is quite as pleasing. It may be painted or varnished, but the natural colored wood makes a very beautiful floor. Other rooms may have rugs, the carpet tacked down all around the edge, making house cleaning a terrible ordeal. Let everything in the home be useful, and at the same time let it, as far as possible, be ornamental. Without extravagance; yet with a restful harmony of colors, let a clean whole-, somness prevail throughout. We will mention a few lessons which may be presented along the line of economy. In preparing vegetables and fruits for food, care should be taken to have a very little waste. In cooking the exact measures and weights should be followed. The menu should meet the requirements of the body, the sole aim being to produce heat, growth and energy. Tell what foods are used to make up these different elements. State, that for convenience, the work should be systematically arranged so time and steps may be saved. It is vastly important that these should be encouraged. In sewing teach them to darn, to patch, and, if time will permit, to make a few simple garments, giving the names of different stitches and materials. It would be well to prepare school lunches. Girls wpuld take pride in doing this if they knew how to do it artistically, and it would be a decided relief to most mothers. Purdue extension department will send you a leaflet, ‘The School Lunch Box,” upon request A number of the things mentioned in this discussion may be demonstrated in the school room. Others must tactfully be suggested, and remember, teachers, there Isn’t a word in the English language that implies more than that word “tact,” when it comes to dealing with children. Shapkespeare said: Talent is something, but tact is everything.” So in presenting facts contrary to general ideas, be tact? ful,—A Patron of the Bumstown School. . | v