The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-25
The Growing Child
IA series Of articles prepared e.
pecially for The Palladium. by the
United States Public Health
Service, Washington, d. C.J
NO. 27-oPEN-AIR CLASS ROOMS

NJ. [f-OFEN-AIn NLASS hOOMS
Open-air classes were originally in
tended for tuberculosis children, tuber-
cular convalescents, and the pre-tuber-
cular. It was felt that their physical
condition should not interfere with
their education, nor their education
aggravate or intensity their physical
disability. Hence, open-air classes
were established in order that these
children might be educated under con-
ditions favoring their recovery. The
work was then extended to include
anemic, delicate, and rundown" chill
dren, and has included normal chill
dren. Indeed, some of the best priv
ate schools in the country conduct all
their lower classes in open-air rooms.
Whether these are called real open
air rooms or "open-window rooms"
the principles upon which they are
run, the methods, and the results are
much the same, provided sufficient
window space is available to allow the
room to be properly called an open-air
room.
Excellent work may be done in an
open-air class located on the roof OF
a building, on sheltered balcony, in
tent or shack, or in regular class
room, with all the windows removed
from their frames. There must, OF
course, always be a roof or some kind
of covering to prevent rain and snow
from falling into the room, and there
should be some kind of wall or screen
to serve as wind break.
Some Are Equipped.
In some cities the new school build
ings are equipped with one or more
open-air class rooms. Sometimes
large hinged windows, reaching most
from the floor to the ceiling, occupy
one or more sides of the room. Such
rooms can be Immediately converted
into open-air rooms.
For the complete success of open
air classes, it is essential that warm
clothing and good food be looked upon
as necessary adjuncts to the fresh air.
If the child is allowed to become chill
ed, the good effects of the fresh air
will be nullified. A warm outer wrap
and covering for the head, felt boots
or other protection for the feet, sit
ting-bag, blanket, and any other cover
ing needed for the study or rest perl
cd (sometimes spent in lying or Sleep
ing on cots) must be provided for each
child.
Food furnishes fuel for the body and
hence is a source of heat. Children
IN Open-dlT Glasses u0Su SAIid loou 1oA
this reason, as we'll as to help in their
up-building. Hot soups. cocoa, and
similar simple, nourishing warm foods
should be supplied.
The teacher of an open-air class
should be particularly well-qualified
for her work She should know some
thing of food values and the general
hygienic requirements of children. II
she has, in addition. an instinct for So
cial service, her value will be all the
greater An open-air class furnishes
splendid opportunity for the forma-
ton of invaluable health habits.
In almost all cases the results OF
open-air classes have been very good.
The children usually gain in weight
more rapidly than the average, the ap-
petite improves, nervousness decreas-
es and the blood takes on much red
der hue. The pupils generally are
more alert and interested, sometimes
advancing more rapidly in their grade
than other children.
To the more or less family or COM
munity spirit developed in an open-air
class, the children respond with help
full cooperation.