. Thus the value of cooperation will be
plainly shown, without a word from the kindergartner.[71]

[71] "In this group work it is desirable that the common
aims should be fully within the comprehension of each little
worker, yet sufficiently beyond his powers of execution and
endurance to make him sensible of the need of assistance. The
former secures the possibility of individual enjoyment, and
hence the only reliable incentive to persistence; the latter
insures free subordination to the will of the whole, the
essential condition of success."--W. N. Hailmann, _Primary
Helps_, page 18.

Forms of Life.

As to Life forms in general, their number is practically unlimited,
though as they are only line-pictures, and heavy lines at that, they
are not as real as those made in the Building Gifts. They are easily
made, however, and the veriest baby in the kindergarten who handles
the sticks as a prelude to his drawing exercises invents with them all
sorts of rude forms which he calls by appropriate names.

The question of color as it enters into these forms needs, perhaps, a
moment's consideration here. As the gift includes both white and
colored sticks, would it not be well to use the former for all
dictations in Life forms, reserving the brilliant hues for the forms
of symmetry whose charms they would greatly enhance?

Connection of other Objects with Stick Dictations.

We may sometimes connect simple, inexpensive objects with stick
dictations, with a view to making them more realistic and delightful.
When the little ones are just getting the various positions and
corresponding terms into their minds, and when therefore it is
advisable to keep them amused and happy with one to three sticks as
long as possible,--that is, until the fundamental principles have
become very familiar,--these objects are most invaluable.

Innumerable lessons may be practiced with one stick only, calling it
at last a whipstock and giving it a bit of curly paper for a lash. Far
from being an instrument of punishment, it makes every child laugh
with the glee of possession.

With two sticks laid horizontally we may give a little paper
horse-car, or when one is vertical and the other runs horizontally
across its end, we may call it a candlestick and snip a half-circle of
paper into the semblance of a flame. The effect is electrical, though
the light be only one candle-power.

And so on, _ad infinitum_; i