The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-04-01
PLAY GROUNDS
Written by Mrs. Lillian Bess.
fucuncan. " NJ

This paper was read by Mrs. Li!-
ian A. Bess. Of this city. 81 the ele-
mentary schools section Of the y. NJ.
Z. A.. last November. IL did not reach
the secretary IN time TO lie included
in the report Of the association
In many parts Of the world we OBJ
serve evidences Of an awakening on
The subject Of play recreation.
Play has a high function as means
q physical training. because il is n
joyable. while the kinds Of gyrnnas.
tics which we sur have in our schools
are not enjoyable.
]; has been shown that exercise
which is enjoyable has q better phys
biological and hygenic effect than ex-
erclse which Is disagreeable 10 Us. A
walk for conscience sake 70 improve
ones health is s poor kind Of physi-
cal exercise. Much Of the gymnasium
work Is no better.
The great problem Of the people
lies in what 20 do with the growing
thousands in cities and owns where
the roadway has slight opportunities
q taking the place Of the open eoun-
try. More particularly are we inter-
ested in the boys and girls Of New
Mexico, who have no play grounds and
VINO merely move with the shadows.
We DO not think q them in their
early years alone. but are looking
forward 70 the time when they ON
% play the parts Of men and women
N the world. and We wonder what is
% he the future.
We want play grounds in order that
we may conserve the health Of our
people. Much d. being done these
days 20 protec; " against the spread
% disease. We are inteligently fight
!ng the great white plague, but this
dread disease must be successfully
fought oydeyelopinR physical strength
through exercise in physical activi-
ues.
We want play grounds for children
% conserve the morals Of the PEG.
pie.
Many look upon human nature as
wholly deoased, beyond recall. We
have many Illustrations Of the weak
ness Of humanity. We are conscious
q ne pull downward but the pull
upward Is Ear more powerful and that
ls the reason we are. in the twentieth
century under a free government
We want 70 help the upward pull.
j. would ue a very wise a indeed.
who could sever from environment
and association and unnecessary temp.
iSuon the tendencies toward evil. and
say how much are responsible. and
now much Is due 70 innate vice.
In my opinion the average boy and
glr. are good. like % think that
the average man and woman would
rather DO night than wrong.
The best way q train a boy is not
% lecture him. but show him some
thing Of the delight Of honorable boy
HOOD. !; gives him al opportunity
% improve what is il him in rood
works. And the good with few excep-
uons, proves 20 De the more attrac.
tive.
Boyhcoa ana girlhood must have
vent IN play. Il is natural, and /; is
We . play GROUNDS 70 aid in
;he development Of the sentiment Of
honor.
The pesi way for each 10y 70 be
honorable = 70 give him a chance 70
pay with MS comrades. On the play
ground ne learns j, without any sup
gesuoh Of rebellion against instruc.
ror. He earns II because ne does
not want anybody else 70 cheat him.
ana ne is down" on the BOY tina,
does not play fair. And because Of
reason he will establish standards
conduct which We must maintain
~ The community ana particularly in
cities. II there H. one thing that We
need more than another. il is the con
tant emphasis Of q spirit Of fair play
willingness 70 give and take. gen.
in defeat ana lack Of assert
IN victory. which is best Learn
IN childhood upon the play ground.
n one Chicago district il was found
juvenile misdemeano-s fell of 20
per cent after the establishment Of a
play ground.
Girls are more difficult 70 reach !
than boys. They have no need 20
WORK Of the steam, because their
condition is almost always
below normal. Unless she is very
small the play ground girl thinks il
I~ngraceful 10 u and Jump. Her
nearest approach 70 activity is the
rocking chair or swsying in a basket
swing. The great need which the girl
70 the play ground is the need
a longer childhood with time and
material for growth.
Up TO about the age Of thirteen or
fourteen, girls should play about the
anne a. boys do ana should be treat
ID practically the same. II is es-
important that girls from II
u years Of age, should be eneour.
lged 70 play lively games. Those are
he decisive years, and can make all
he difference between strong healthy
women Of hand and premature
'oung ladyhood on the other. The
iificulty in treating the subject Of
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