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66
these lessons are asked to accompany their girls to one course
of lessons at the creche to insure uniformity of instruction. Slight
differences in method often confuse children, and it is advisable
that the teaching be the same throughout. For the lessons on
bathing and dressing a baby, a specially made life-size jointed doll,
which sinks in water, is used in most of the schools. The Teachers
who have worked with it find it quite useful for the preliminary drill.
The girls can make clothes for it, and learn the correct way of
putting them on, and can be taught the details of washing without
risk of chilling the baby while they are still slow in handling it.
In some schools this class is given in a room with a fire—
not a class-room—nursery fittings are borrowed for the occasion,
and the conditions the girls will have to work under at home copied
as far as possible.
The next step is the course at the creche. This consists of
6 lessons of an hour each, and each class is limited to 6 girls, so
that each may take a share in the work. The lessons are given
by the Matron of the creche, Miss Lucas. She knows the local
conditions, and is able to lay emphasis on those points which
experience has shown are most neglected in Acton.
The lessons begin with a short lecture. The girls are supposed
to have the main facts from the instruction in the school; then
under the Matron's supervision they carry out the practical work.
The lessons are:—
1. Clothing and dressing baby.
2. Bathing baby.
3. Baby's bed, sleep, and outing.
4. Washing baby's flannels.
5. Washing and making baby's bottle.
6. Signs of health and ill-health, and what to do till the
doctor comes.
Permission is obtained from the mother before any baby
takes part in a demonstration, but visitors are much impressed by
the placid contentment which the baby shows and the skilful
handling of the class.