The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-07-24
Dangerous" Play.


some children build bonfire in
backyard. As we poked the fire the
pieces of charred paper flew up IN
the air, rising higher and higher. The
children watched them with great
deal of interest, calling them birds,
"airplanes." and so on. Finally one
hoy asked: "What makes them go
UNI" Because hot air always goes
up." answered, land it carries the
paper with it," These simple facts
satisfied him for the time being.
Further experience with the same
material will bring forth more why's
and more important facts will be
learned, and remembered, because
they come out Of actual experiences.
There are number of activities
that are especially attractive to every
boy and girl, but which are also a
special source Of anxiety to every
mother. They are those classed as
dangerous" tree-climbing, swim
ming, making bonfires and playing
with hammer and nails, knives, saws
and firearms. | believe this list in
cludes practically all the occupations
that are most dear to the hearts of
children, particularly boys And yet,
if they have a chance to indulge in
them at all it is usually against the
wish. or perhaps the direct orders Of
their parents.
Now stop a moment and consider
the unquestionable values that lie in
all these plays. Physical strength and
self reliance come through swimming
and tree-climbing; industrial skill and
ability to think and carry out ones
ideas are developed by the use Of
hammers, saws and like tools; and
physical and chemical facts are only
a small part of the value to be de
rived from bonfires and firearms.
OF course, we cannot overlook the
fact that such plays are dangerous.
How are we going to meet the chill
dren's natural demand for them and
at the same time eliminate the dan
ger? In absolutely prohibiting all
experiments with dangerous" play
things the children generally take ad-
vantage Of some oportunity to evade
us and follow their own irresistible
incilnations. Even If serious acct
dents from lack Of adult supervision
do not happen, it will be granted
that the moral results Of such evasion
of "the law" are undesirable.
! believe a much better way Of
dealing with the situation is TO CO.
operate with the children in the graf
ification Of their very natural de
sire to touch and work with things,
and to help them carry out their
plans If the parent teacher or adult
playmate once really gets the chill
dren's viewpoint it will make a great
difference and will do much to solve
this difficult problem Enter into
the children's play. and instead Of
constraint and fear bring to it new
enthusiasm and interest through the
greater knowledge you possess of
facts and conditions. In this way, you
will guard against accidents at the
outset by being present to show the
children how" and TO explain dan
gers and remind them once in awhile
about being careful Thus you will
unconsciously avoid the mistake Of
making the children feel that they
are watched, treatment very CALLING
to any one who is learning self-de-
pendence.
One great value Of this attitude is
that you gain your child's confidence
and can count on his attention and
obedience with regard to certain re-
strictions which you may feel should
be imposed, such as not to light a
match or build a fire unless he asks
you first. Best Of all, the children
soon learn to be rs careful as the
most particular adult could wish. Did
you ever watch a child climb tree
who has acquired skill and self-re-
lance through such helpful training7
He knows well enough that he must
hold tight, avoid dead limbs and be
careful where he puts his feet.
Will you not feel more confident
otter procedure Of this kind that the
children IN be able TO meet and CON
quer other difficulties and experien-
,es and you can trust in your sympa-
thetic interest TO make them want TO
,cme TO you in case Of need and In the
ideals you constantly hold before
them TO strengthen and guard them
rom harm, Your reward VIII come
n the sslf.relianee, moral streagth'
md Increased knowledge or your chill
|ren. IN their keen interest IN the
- in the world about them. and
49, s~~i senfldsnee IN you i