Imperial Valley press., 1913-10-17
Child Welfare at
Kansas University
(By United Press Association


Lawrence, Kan, Oct. 1.-THE State
of Kansas is going to stand sponsor
for every boy and girl in the COM
monwealth. Kansas isn't satisfied
merely with giving its children the
benefit of eight or nine months of
regular public schooling. The state
will mother" it's children outside of
school, on the play lots, in the home,
through the department of child well
fare established as an extension
course at the University of Kansas, at
Lawrence. William A. McKeevor,
formerly professor of philosophy at
the State college at Manhattan, 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 work to the
task. The boys and girls and moth
ers and fathers of the state are his
pupils. Since Kansas is glad to pay
his salary to teach the parents of
Kansas how to bring up children, his
views may strike home to every
mother and father in the United
States. His article, written espec-
tally for the United Press, follows:
By William A. Mckeever
written for the United Press)
First among the efforts Of the 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:
/. A plan for the vacation en-
ployment of the city school boy. The
chief purpose will be to provide work
that is disciplinary and helpful to his
character as well as remunerative in
a small degree.
2. 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 dozen lectures ex-
tended through a weeks time.
3. The establishment of play
grounds and social centers for the
young. There is already much inter
est in this matter throughout the
state, but the enthusiasm for it needs
advice and guidance.
4. Assistance in the organization
of civic improvement clubs, in all
cases where the proposed program of
work includes the local child welfare
interests.
5. To offer Individual counsel and
advice through correspondence 20 par-
cits who have spe. .ai problems in the
training of their own children.
Ia short, the q. ort 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 ont larger and more uni
hed plan for the training of the boys
and girls OF Kansas.
Boys and girls on the farm are be-
ing brought up under great variety
OF plans and specifications. Many are
ovel worked, and thei cby denied the
privileges Of play, recreation and So
cial activities such az rightfully he
long to then years. Very many ar.
without the advantage of helpful plans
and motives for acquiring an ad-
vanced education. Many promising
farm boys and girls are growing up
crude and unframed, simply for lack
Of a clear vision OF some hlgh
achievement which might be brought
within their reach.
Usually the farm parents are earn
est and conscientious in their desire
to do the fair thing by their children
but they are 1T present suffering FROM
lack of a we'll thought out plan, such
as will guide and stimulate them ~
their effort to bring their sons and
daughters to the accomplishment Of
some large purpose in life. This new
department Of child welfare in the
University Of Kansas viii make a
serious effort to meet the demands
of the farm boys and girls as sug-
gested above, and to place in the
hands of their parents a set of definite
plans, methods and ideals for training
in the rural home. We must have a
far reaching plan for growing a new
Il n n - m