TALKING TRASH

Hi! My name is Lydia Lid. I'm a funny little multi-functional necessity, whose primary purpose is to protect the products you purchase. But beyond that, I get little respect. I'm here today to share my sense of self-worth and how I can help you and your children learn to love me too as I help you grow and learn! First, a little "Rhyme Time," to tell you how I feel:

I'm often so little, I'm not respected! I'm used, then pitched -- I feel so neglected!

My No. 1 job, I do very well. Please read about me, for I've a story to tell.

Usually I find myself pitched, ditched and trashed I end up in the garbage, all mutilated and smashed!

I lay there all smelly, feeling wet and confused, thinking, how can I tell them, there's hundreds of ways I can be used?

I love little children with hands chubby and sticky, they squeeze me and examine me and think I'm quite tricky!

It's for them, the kids, I ask you to read this today. I can really help them learn -- let me show you the way!

Children like to work -- In fact, for them, work is play! Please, for kids' sake -- DON'T THROW ME AWAY!

Just wash me and dry me and tuck me in a box. Ah, there, that's just right, on a shelf by those rocks!

I promise I'll do any task that you ask of me I'll prove myself worthy! Guess what? I'm free!!

Lydia Lid loves to learn! She relates well to children, because she too lives in a world where she is the smallest thing on the shelf (block). Once she comes into your home, she's anxious to share with you how you can best extend her life and expand her purpose!

1. Always wash me really good and let me air dry.

2. Store me in a safe, dry place.

3. Before you use me again, think about the ages of the children who will handle me!! Only my biggest cousins, "Laundry Lid" and "Can Cover," can be used with little-bitty children. Since they always taste me and chew on me first, we must keep them safe. Always keep me clean for them too!

4. As a child grows bigger, the lids they use can be smaller. By the time a child is 2, set a box of various size lids in front of him and observe how he interacts with them. He may stack them, throw them, put 'n place them in empty containers (cups, cans, boxes, etc.). Through pretend, lids can become anything to a child who feels free to imagine, i.e. dishes, money, frisbees or hats. Please allow plenty of time for pretend play, and again please keep the lids clean.

5. Later on, lids become part of more formal learning processes. They can assist in science projects, math functions, language growth, as well as art and music appreciation !

In closing, a "Lidder Lilt" from Lydia Lid:

I know I'll be back to share more with you. Even though "Every Litter Bit Hurts!" Every "Lld-der Bit Helps!" -- 'tis true!

Care to share an idea with us? Just send it in to "Ms. Kaye," Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.