Semi-weekly herald., 1913-10-20
KANSAS TO STAND Sponsor
FOR ITS SCHOOL CHILDREN

LAWRENCE, Kans., Oct. 1.-THE
state of Kansas is going to stand
sponsor for every boy and girl in the
commonwealth. Kansas isn't salts
fled merely with giving it's children
the benefits Of eight or nine months
of regular public schooling. The
state will mother" its children out
side of school, on the playlets, in the
home, through the department of
child welfare established as an ex-
tension course at the University of
Kansas, at Lawrence. William A.
McKeever, formerly professor Of phil
osophy at the state college at Man
haitian, was called here to take full
charge of the work as being the best
known expert on child welfare in the
country. He will devote his entire
time to the task. The boys and girls
and mothers and fathers of the state
are his pupils. Since Kansas is glad
to pay his salary to tell tho mothers
and fathers of Kansas how to bring
up children, his views may strike
home to every mother and father in
the United States. His article, writ
ten specially for the United Press,
follows:
First among the efforts of this new
department to make out more COM
plete and unified plan in behalf Of
boys and girls-to redirect the lives
of town and city children-will be the
following:
l. A plan for the vacation employ
ment of the city school boy. The
chief purpose will be to provide work
that is disciplinary, and helpful to
his character as we'll as remunerstive
in small degree.
II. The formation Of parents clubs
and such kindred organizations as
parent-teacher associations. In this
connection, it is hoped that there may
be frequently an opportunity to offer
parents short course in child psy-
chology, say six to a dozen lectures
extended through a weeks time.
III. The establishment of play
grounds and social centers for the
young There is already much in.
terest in this matter throughout the
state, but the enthusiasm for it needs
expert advice and guidance.
~. Assistance in the organization
Of civic improvement clubs, in all
cases, where the proposed program
of work includes the local child well
fare interest.
v. To offer individual counsel and
advice through correspondence To
parents who have special problems in
the training Of their own children.
In short, the effort will be to sup
plement the child welfare work al
ready being done by the school, the
home, the church, and the other in
stitutions. Thus we may be enabled
to make out larger and more uni.
| lieu PiaH lof huc Va shC wy
and girls of Kansas.
Boys and girls on the farm are be
ing brought up under great variet,
Of plans and specifications. Man,
are overworked, and thereby deniet
the privilege Of play, recreation, snt
social activities such as rightfull,
belong to their years. Very many an
without the advantage Of helpful
plans and motives for acquiring Al
advanced education. Many promising
farm boys and girls are growing u
crude and unframed, simply for lacl
Of q clear vision Of some high achieve
ment which might be brought withil
their reach.
i Usually the farm parents are earn
est and conscientious In their dssir
j to do the fair thing by their ehildrsr
but they are At present suffsrinl
from lack Of well-thought-out plaz
sneh N will xuide and stimulate thax