Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-21
PLAY CONDUCES
To MODAL IIDEIFT
~ WONAL Os liz
REV. WILLIAM H. DAY SPEAKS
ABOUT RECREATION
ABSENCE OF ILLNESS FOLLOWS
ORGANIZED SPORT
Practice in Team Work and Reduction
of Quarrelsome Spirit Meaens
New Capacity for Self
Government

Among the things which the Mas
ter would commend would be our play
grounds said Rev William Horace
Day, pastor of the First Congregation
al church, in his sermon yesterday.
THE impulse to play is as natural
and as normal as the inclination to
Sleep" he continued. when we learn
its meaning we see that it is not only
& permissible thing, but a divinely or
dered thing. 1t is Gods way of max
ing the child into the most effective
man. We are in constant process of
being created over again. Recreation
is the end to true play. The boy is
made strong by being put to hard work
il it be not too long or heavy, but the
boy who is trained by mere work Is
duller than he should be. All work
and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Without childish play the resilient
quality of nerve and muscle is lack
ing. That is why the boy on the farm
appears less alert than his city cousin.
That is why the sick child in the tene-
ment said, I don't want to get dead
and be an angel. l want to play first
Play Stimulates Brain
play is the natural way of securing
mental freshness as well. The play at
a lad whose brain and will are weary
with the task of mental attention in
warm school room. Let him push his
muscular activity till every bit of It's
sue in the brain is permeated with
oxygenated blood and he will go back
to his study with new access of cour--
age and success. Attention will
be within his reach. The days
work will be of fine quality. Play is
the most accessible stimulus to secure
that end perhaps fogging would set
the blood circulating, but its violent
invasion of his self-respect leaves him
unit for enthusiastic mental effort.
THE moral consequences of true re-
creative play far exceed the others.
1t has been well said that play counts
for morals The permanent develop
ment of a free people depends upon
their learning to govern themselves in
childhood. Organized play is a school
in democracy. Unorganized play CEN
tering in the gang is the source of
lawlessness and depreciation. Let
those same boys become interested in
the work of a playground and come
under the guidance of an expert and
the energy which is a threat at the
peace and good order of his neighbor-
hood becomes different. The cities of
the world, at least wherever the au-
thority of Him who rebuked the
grown-ups' that he might bless the
little children has gone, are busy to-
day in planning to provide Fairgrounds
as we'll as schools for the children of
the more congested districts.
Health Rapidly improves
LOS Angeles is exceedingly fortunate
in the members of its playground COM
mission. The city is attempting in
comprehensive way to provide facili-
ties for play. As soon as these centers
are well established there appears to
be an improvement in the physical
health, there is less absence from Ill
ness during the school year, there is
higher power of attention and the high
spirits which were the source of petty
crime is put to better service. A
school principal came to the newly
opened playground to see why the boys
gave him so little trouble the opening
days after vacation. Supervised sum-
mer play had worked marvels. In an
other section of the city our splendid
chief probation officer came to inquire
how it happened that but two cases
of juvenile arrest had occurred instead
of fifteen the year before. Little boys
learning team work in play and the
consequent reduction of the quarrel
some spirit means new capacity for
self-government. This work which be-
gan for the children disclosed such
great possibilities for character
strengthening that the scope of work
has grown till all classes are being
provided for. If you have not visited
these centers of recreation go to the
one at Echo park and watch the chill
dren, and then spend an evening at
the new building on Holly street.
Where the children have been in full
possession during the afternoon, you
win find the older men and women in
the evening. of this work we have
reason to be proud"