The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-06-11
VALUE OF PLAY.

Gem of the Mountain Club May 4
1909.
My object in talking on this sub.
ject is to try and show the play In.
stinct of childhood and how 1t can be
turned to aid in the future develop
ment and welfare of each child
Every child that comes into this
world is born with certain few In
stincts; the instinct Of self preserva-
ton, Of winking, of grasping, and of
/ play. This latter instinct gradually
develops with growth of the child
till there comes stage in its life
where play is absolutely necessary to
the healthy development Of both mind
and body. We can trace the progress
OF this instinct from the time the
small babe first begins to notice OBJ
jects and attempts to play with them,
throughout the rest Of Its life.
The infant centers It's attention on
the childish toys. Then comes the
doll and block period with more or
less out door play. Later we find
him leading in baseball, football, all
such sports which claim his attention
through his school life and college
life. After this the greater RESPONSE
bilities Of life partly overshadow the
playful part OF his character but 1t
still lies near the surface ready to
burst forth at the least opportunity.
How monotonous life would be If
everything was staid and sedate.
What pessimistic old world this
would be II human nature lost its
playfulness, for q pessimist, in my
opinion, is one who was born with
out the ability to enjoy life or in
other words without the proper
amount Of play instinct.
There is an old saying that a |
healthy body makes a healthy mind
and 1t is very true. Play is natures
way Of adding beauty and strength
to our characters, for one of the best
things about play is that 1t takes
us out Of doors where mother earth
keeps all her treasures. A wide awake
child cannot help to but learn her
lessons and discover her numerous
secrets. There are not many boys
but who can tell you where to find
the best swimming hole, the best fish
Ing grounds the best flowers and all
such things. Everything catches their
attention and awakens curiosity
which is the heritage of childhood,
and the mysteries are delved into un-
til some satisfactory explanation Is
gained. Just little encouragement
on the part Of parents or teachers
will awaken the desire to know more
about birds, animals, trees and all the
different phases of life. Simple games
In the school room will bring out
the life, habits and customs Of such
forms of nature.
This Is all worth while for mind
'ull Of the truths of lie has no room
Or near and narrow thoughts. It
gets its religion first class from ma ,
ure's herself.
A child deprived from such recrea-
ions becomes restless, pevish and ir-
liable, the mind becomes more or
ess warped and the child does not
ppreciate the full Joy of being alive
IN the other hand, the child who
as the strength to run out and ex-
end Its energy In good innocent play :,
oes to bed at night, tired out, but !,
nth good time, muscles little :.
tronger and better adjusted, mind 7
I'LL of little truths of life picked up :,
uring the day. =
Where else could he pick up better
aiming for later life than on the :,
lay ground? Fairness, unselfishness =
nd honesty all play part in this !
base OF life. The average boy and ],
ri notices and despices selfish and 4.
shonest traits in any of their play -
ates and If properly encouraged will )
lila up characters which will not ~
ntain these undesirable properties. :,
Encouragement like this should be :,
ined front the home and the school,
g two factors which have the most
fluence in the life of every boy and
RI. Everyone will admit the home ka
but great many parents an
Ell that child goes to school just ar
book knowledge. They forget or IN
se do not realize that the muscles M,
the child are not properly adjusted
d fitted for close and constant APP m,
cation to any special work. This m,
justment must be accomplished W.
'wly and gradually.
For this reason and for the other M,
asons which have mentioned, w,
mes or the dramatizing of stories me