The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-28
SCHOOL HOURS FOR CHILDREN.

We have caused some investigation TO
be made Of the school hours prevailing
in + Amond and other cities, especially
as they affect the midday meal of the
children, with a view 10 obtaining the
best opinions and best practice on this
serious question. We find that north of
us. certainly in the best regulated schools,
the custom is almost universal Of stop
ping school at midday for an hour and
n half in order that the children may
return home and take a regular dinner
with their parents. The reasonabieness
and Importance of this rule is too obvious
for discussion. The health of the children
IS considered. and very little. II
any, Is added to the inconvenience
OF the parents or teachers. We learn that
the prevailing hours Of the midday meal
OF the patrons Of the public schools in
Richmond would agree with such a rule
II 1t is adopted here.
The Importance Of the lunch-so-called,
really hearty dinner-in all the business
establishments is so clearly recognized
that throughout the North In banks,
stores. factories. &c. provision is made
for It between II ana o'clock. and no
business. no matter how serious. is al
lowed to interfere with this plain duty 10
nature.
But here the health of our children
s. In this respect for the most part ig-
nored, and the most irrational and inju-
rious custom prevails.
With us the children hurry TO school.
hardly taking time TO eat their break
fast properly. They start out in a hurry.
The hungry time with them is mid
day, but instead Of a warm and com
Portable dinner at that time when ma
ture cries aloud for il. they are found
in the playground trying to perform
the dangerous task of stuffing a cold lunch
down their throats and playing games at
the same time. And what is this unch h?
Heaven only knows-an sorts Of odds and
ends. apples cake, preserves anything.
for the most part. but what is best for
what should be the principal meal OF a
hungry child.
After a half hour Of this unwhoiesome
experience the child goes back into
school, and, unless IL Is very small
child is kept there until o'clock when
Il goes home. generally 10 find the family
dinner over, and scraps only kept for IT,
which again il hurries through with IN
order TO get out TO play. lacking the
restraint OF a regularly set family meal
But II for any reason the child is kept
in as a punishment. or 10 complete a
badly prepared lesson, il returns home
late I'm the evening. with very empty
stomach, and too often with an incip-
tent headache.
1t is impossible that children can es-
cape dyspepsia and all manner Of cog
nate diseases under such a system as
this. Neither the stomach nor the brain
can properly act.
We insist most earnestly that school
hours shall be so arranged that chill
dren can stop in the middle OF the day
and so home for an hour and half or
iwo hours, rest. get full, comfortable
meal. and return for two hours more work
in the afternoon. The advantage OF this
cannot be oyerestimated
OF course children will object, because
they fear their play hours viii be cut
Into. and teachers VIII object. because
they wish 10 have done with the work
and get Off. Neither objection is valid
as against a regulation which win tend
70 protect the health Of those who in a
short time Will be themselves the parents
and teachers OF another generation. The
rule should be adopted despite these OH
3ections.