I have to say that, once a child has been dropped on their tenth mushroom, you'd think they'd get the idea and pick them up on their own. The same with items, for that matter. Several times a child has been practically standing on a mushroom or item that has appeared near them, so it seems like they'd have to see the darn thing!
I also agree about the mothers. I like to have at least two children for when mushrooms and items are coming close together, but I hate to constantly be short a worker because she's caring for her child.
It also seems to me that, most of the time, the villagers act like the other villagers don't exsist. Might be nice to have, say, two scientists compare notes as they worked. Some kind of interaction would at least make sense.

Mistie Ann