Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-06-03

growing and intelligent interest which
women are taking in educational af
fairs.
Are Constructive Forces.
The rapid growth of vacation schools
for children who are obliged to spend
the heated term in the cities has been
noble feature of school extension.
| There has been wide differentiation
in the working out of the problem, and
the reports which come from differ
! ent cities are full of interest 1t is
perceived that these centers are con-
structive forces in the community,
good health and good habits are pro-
NOTED, and the brain made clearer to
act. Healthy, normal social inter
course is promoted, and this is mat
ter of consequence where, with mix
ture of nationalities and constant
change of residence, there are few OPP
portunities for social tradition to take
root. Important is the fact that in
play time rather than in working hours
is the character formed, and here on
the recreation ground fair play must
be constantly practised,. self-control
| constantly maintained. This is the
essence of democracy. To know how
to associate, how to cooperate with
ones fellows is the foundation of our
national form of government =
Good behavior is the password to
all these opportunities. The recrea-
| tion ground is one of the greatest pre-
ventives of poor behavior and delin-
quencies. Many boys and girls who
were difficult to manage at home and
in school have become models through
the constructive influence of the vaca-
! ton schools and play grounds. With |
no place to play but ill-smelling streets
and prison-like yards, it has come to-
pass that city children are forgetting
how to play and are losing the vigor
! of body and character given by play
[ The child's energy should be given
an outlet in play, in the right direc-
! ton: the play habit formed the play
! spirit developed. Thus the recreation
center is of value not only in afford
/ ing the child place to live as a child,
! but also in preparing him to continue
/ to live. through manhood. Society has
recognized that more outof-dor life
must be given our children if our men
! and women are to be physically
! strong. Man does not live by bread
alone.
| Supported by People and Press.
The heartiest support is given to
vacation schools movement by the peo-
pie and the press. The community is
awakening to the fact that city
should seize its opportunity TO make
better citizens by providing recreation
of the right kind and under proper
auspices. Public conscience and COM
mon sense are becoming alive to the
folly Of sending boys eight years old
and up to reform schools to spend
their minority at a cost Of not less
than S1i month each, and this dur
ing a formative period when institu-
tional life. at best. blights develop
ment: whereas a well-supervised vaca- +
ton school or play center will direct |
the misused energy OF dozens of boys |
into channels distinctly helpful to
themselves and to the community. !
Joy and pleasure have more power |
than fear or pain. The moral of the !
whole vacation school movement is
shown by its effect on behavior with
out discipline. Discipline is hardly |
needed at any point Each child is |
100 intent on MS own Efforts. SnOutS |
OF laughter and applause testify to the
keennesS of enjoyment
Games Are Educative. -.
Games have a strongly educative i'll
fluenCe Our educators are now see
ing that the teacher who does not +
know what it is possible to learn about
play as we'll as about work is only !
half qualified to train her children
for life One of the most important
results OF the study that has been