Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1916-08-10
BOYS and GIRLS
NEED TO PLAY
Is Very Necessary For Their Moral
Mental And Physical De-
velopement.
(BY MRS. VERLIE &. KoLTINsKY.

va AsNisAA@ ~ NV sA'1h ,
II is as necessary that every
child shall have a place TO play as
that every child shall have a
place to go to school, and this
right 10 play is equally as funda-
mental and important as is the
right to 90 to school. Without
education a child may grow up
healthy, good and happy, but with
out play he will be none Of these.
Perhaps We often forget the SEN
tence in the Declaration Of lnde-
pendence in which onr forefath-
ers gave what they regarded as
basic human rights in these words
I'VE hold these truths to be self
evident: That all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inal-
ienable rights: that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit
OF happiness" The government
which We have created protects
life and liberty. but in the case
Of children at least, it does not
give adequate protection in the
pursuit Of happiness. Play is es-
sentislly the pursuit Of happiness
and is, hence, fundamental hu.
man right.
Life seems to be made up main
ly Of three things: Work. love
and play. Work We have organ
lied splendidly, and law is be.
ginning to protect it admirably;
love has its great opportunity in
the home; but play. equally fun
damen'al and important, equally
a matter OF human interest. we
have left largely to private or
CARNATIONS and commercial agen-
cies. The value of play can be
considered from three stand
points: The physical, mental and
moral development it furnishes.
For their physical development
children need spirited, playful ex-
ercise which utilizes in an instruc-
tive way the large muscular
masses that effect respiration,
digestion and excretion; which
tone up the whole body through
graceful. child-like abandon. The
child's desire for play leads
him unconsciously into an active,
spirited; rythmical use of his
large fundamental muscles. II
young children lived in an ideal
atmosphere where there was no
interference with the wise plans
OF nature the question Of exer-
else would solve itself uncon.
sciously in play, for play is the
guardian Of the child's physical
health and furnishes the normal
stimulus to the various organs and
nerve centers Of the body. Play
will neither allow the muscles of
the body to become flabby nor
develop them in technical skill,
but will establish that balance
between exercise and rest which
results in the harmonious devel.
epment Of all its parts.
The great mental value derived from
the proper kind Of play is Of immense
Importance also. In many games ir
which children commonly engage, II n
exceedingly necessary that their sense
organs act very quickly and readily
Memory and imagination also receiv,
important training in many games and
are developed to a large extent in thi,
way. Good sound judgment is a quail
ity which is rewarded very often IL
play. In order that this may be mani
Tested the child must be able to quickly
and accurately decide on points thai
cone up In the play. The will also. oil
volitional side Of his nature is being
used constantly and develops remarka'
bly, in many games.
Another great service that play rem
ders the child Is its moral value. Here
the expression. Honesty Is the Bes
Policy" is manifested to them NOR,
forcibly perhaps than in any other way
Truthfullness is another virtue that h