The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-07-22

a number Of boys about the same age
win band together and in some iso-
lated spot dig a cave, whittier is be-
slowed articles of food, outlandish
wearing apparel, masks etc. Here
ale planned raids which are some
times carried out In nocturnal visits
to neighboring chicken roosts or melon
patches. All thir is great sport while
1t lasts, but IL left alone, like the
tadpole stage in the life Of the frog,
IL soon passes away and leaves no
sign. 1t certainly has its place In
the development of the imagination,
but before it can lead to harm, the
actor Is hurried into another stage Of
his races progress, and loses his
taste for cave life.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE MANI
FESTATIoNs.
Ordinarily there is no danger in
these manifestations of barbarism. IL
the boys are left to themselves they
viii pass thru them unframed. II
interfered with, they may keep it up
longer and learn to practice deceit.
II they are deprived OF such sport
they may loce something valuable In
their mental development. There is
one danger that should be guarded
against. II some older boy, evilly in
olined should assume the leadership
for purposes Of his own, he might lead
younger boys into serious wrong do
ing and possibly into habits that
would prove permanently injurious.
But whatever may be the signifi-
canoe OF these sports no one can
doubt but that play is not only bene-
ficial but absolutely necessary to the
physical and mental growth. Every
healthy child loves play and seeks
il OF his own accord. A childhood
devoid of play would be one devoid OF
happiness. 1t would mean a stunted
growth and a warped and stunted
mind. No good could come out or II.
Fortunately there is very little ten
depcy on tie part CT those who have
the care OF children to deprive them
OF play. In this way they amuse
themselves and are less burdensome
to the grown-ups.
PLAY OF CHILDREN NOT SUFFI-
GENTLY CONSIDERED.
On the other hand no great body OF
PARENTS or teachers have seriously
considered play from the standpoint
OF its educationa, value unless it be
in the kindergarten period and TO
some extent in college life.
At any rate it has been sadly
neglected in the public schools par
ticuIarly in the country. There are
yarious reasons for this. Children find
ways TO amuse Themselves which are
supposed to be good enough. Teach
ers find no great pleasure in taking
part in childish games, and consider
it no part of their duty TO patrons 10
ioin the children in their intermission
sports.
If they maintain sufficient guardian
chip to see that no one 10 injured
that noise and roughness are Kept
within bounds, their obligation Is dis
charged. Equal rights and equal pri-
yileges are given to all, and IL come
do not take them, the teacher does
not concern himself.
IL some timid little one finds the
game too rough and seeks the teach
er's side for protection, he or sne
"a kindly TOLD to run away and play
ane rather than complain hides away
or makes a pretense Of joining tne
others, but gets no enjoyment anu
,s clad when the intermiSsion is over.
Usually these are the ones that need
play the most, but 1t should be OF
nature shifted to their strength and
temperament
Teachers as a rule. do not stop
To consider that some children are
adapted to the rcuGher sort OF games
while Others should be provided with
a milder type. Neither is attention
given as to whether the prevailing
games are Of physical or mental order
or that there should be a proper bal
ancing of both.
In many places there is not suffi-
Gent space for Fairgrounds and the
spirit of the school languishes. Or,
again. the children grow tired OF
the gameo with which they are
familiar and have not the ingenuity
to think OF new ones.
To assist the teacher in oyer-com-
ing these and other obstacles, to
point out some of the different kinds
of games in common use, such as ply
steal and mental games Of skill and
games Of chance, with such discus
sions of their educational value, to
suggest a variety Of useful amuse-
ments adapted to the season and wea-
Their, is the object of this chapter.
That the problem has not been TAX
en- up in serious fashion by educators