The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1917-02-09
APPLIANCES FOR the SCHOOL
PLAYGROUND

tBelng Paper By Mrs. Clara A
q. .Brien Read Before the Parent.
Teachers Association.l
II is automatic that education, to
achieve the best results, must proceed
simultaneously along the physical "a
Well as the mental lines To give the
CroWlng boy or giIi a surfeit of books |
may possibly produce a mental prod |
gy but rs far from what Is necessary |
% develop the clear minds, deepl
.hests, and red blood with which the
modern man and woman must be en-
owed In order Go du things, while
aiming pleasure, health and profit
| rom their work, or TO become thel
| fathers ana mothers of a race worthy
| II their inheritance As Americans.
| Taking IL for granted that play" Isl
/ IN indispensable part OF the curricu-l
lum for our boys and girls in arriving
| a a decision as TO the appliances toI
| provide We should not lose sight of
ne ends To be gained in their use,
4 Only too frequently too much defer.
i renee Is paid to those who wish to
i strive for the laurels OF excellence
anu victory with the result that the
! gchool or college eXpends its energies
producing a runner. jumper or 9th
1 er athlete who wins fame for him
i elf and his school by establishing
somr new record or winning a place
n the 'Olympian' team. We see the
laurel and other standard of victory
u grac4ng class room or college hall and
est satisfied with our efforts to intro,
luCc and stimulate athletics. Grat-
J flying as such results are. they do not
necessarily Indicate that the true
purpose of making play part OF ed
ucatlun is being accomplished. In
{ other words IL Is the standing and eA'
; selleuce OF the class. not OF the indt
= vldual student, that We are striving
, Eur.
We feel now that we are getting on
q arm ground in considering this sub
q Jet. and make this as a hrst rule Il
be followed in selecting playground
: equipment;
Appliances by the use Of which
y games or play can be conducted
on the school ground must be
such as will encourage and per
NIT all. or nearly all. the children
TO use to their advantage.
Under this hypothesis IL is trs
y evident that very many games ant
. he best physical exercise and train
e ng may be obtained without the us
.e i appliances OF any kind. that Is eS
y epJ for a playground or play room
A. The. most obvious OF these Is drill Il
/
~ uf obedience and the power to con
y mand is not the least of the object
~ gained, while the eyolutiuns then
n selves are best calculated to trai
n he body. and OF such grace and RI!
"a bm A. 10 form ene 81 the most plea
:. ne exhibitions Tor class or school n
W erclses.
81 OF the simpler appliances. swing
~ see-saws, and giant strides. Al
" among those meeting with most q
~ yer. The cost is not prohibitive. an
40 each does iJs part IN helping bull
su lp th. physical powers and health
w he children
ss To meet the exigencies Of our Sa
lu mon climate. an indoor play roou
~ sufficiently equipped. Ii very nece
ot ,ary. For such 4 trapeze horizonu
+" tnd parallel bars horses, and su
. pended rings are among the most ge
20 aral IN their use and benefits
le lastly / strongly recommend u
ne Establishment uf Field Day" in u
ei early summer tor the Salmon school
~ with general invitation 10 oth'
%. county .ChooIs TO participate. on sus
held day he events should be yari'
h' between those individual contes
hS nustomarlly ndulged in. runnin
80 jumping etc. exercises calling for
more rugged constitution such
- cross country steeDlc-Chases and O
staCIe races. and some Of the grac
- ful eyolutlons and drills Of class
.ol nd school
'u' of the many public enterprises Il
- Woman club has taken up, 40 ol
~ goes further ia It's good effects thl
pa his one We all feel and are CO
aid .,,1,of,I. -, ~ H., apsrr,i
IN ,'.,5Is-,.,,' ,,cc,,t.,t,,r cr ear,
euI - ,-.ii hsa,s, ,-h3Ia fn,arss,I,
'hs hem. The development Of the scho
"i plag ground goes very far in this
N' ~pctiOn