The Natchitoches enterprise., 1921-01-20
Tie Land Of Happy Children
WYNONAH B. JOHNSON

Ths cid Greek myths tell Of a fair
t;.1e called the Golden ge, whiril d t
Qisa eternal cii.dh % and IL, dl. .
f.t advantages, and where Joy reigned
sup ere until one curious little miss
i opened the chest in which the troubles
OF the world were Gagged, and Whlch
immediately flew over the erstWhlle
happy cline and brought grief and
sorrow in their wake.
Southern California come; nearest
to being the ideai land described In
those classics as the, children's para
disc. for it is here on this sunny coast
that childhood has the least worries
and cares, and the most JOY and health
may be had for the mere taking.
In contemplating move to any
place, people invariably inquire about
It's church and school facilities, for
most families have the future Of their
most youthful members in view when
they 90 contemplate move, and II
the new place offers suitable opportun-
| ity for the education and advancement
of. the offspring, it will meet with the
parents approval, it goes without
saying.
in Southern California those ques-
tions are answered in full on the sur
face of things, and yet, few people
know of the manifold advantages OF
this part of our country for children.
To be sure, they know that It's healthy,
and the schools are good-but the ad-
vantages go father than that.
L. the matter of climate, It IS unsur-
passed The evenness Of the tempera-
tute, with its prsdNnnance OF sun
snlny days and temperate thermometer,
! with its comparative freedom from the
extremes which are SO dangerous to
children, make for health and growth,
and the fact that the little folk can be
out of doors practically every day In
the year accounts for the splendid de-
veIopment noticed in the scores OF
| happy youngsters who throng the state,
and of the superb strength and physi-
cal condition characteristic of the
youth who represent California in other
colleges, athletic contests and SO on.
| California leads in the matter OF
schools. and the manifold advantages
of the system, wherein talented pupils
may specialize in particular branches,
is easily seen. In many places, when
bog or girl shows preference for OF
talent in an unusual line, the parents
are confronted with the problem OF
sending the child off to place where
that particular thing is taught, and
! often the separation or expense III
yolyed must be considered first and
last,
In Southern California, scores Of
high school are maintained wherein
every branch of meekaaical and artistic
occupations is taught, where busi-
ness or art course may be mastered
parallel with the regular education,
and it is noticeable in the crowded
school that older people who have had
thwarted ambitions take advantage OF
these manifold courses at night JUST as
tntir youngsters DO in the day. Ire
Polytechnic High School, toe Instance,
teaches more than 5000 students at
night in various branches, making it
the biggest high school in the United
States. Books and all materials are
furnished by the State in the publlc
schools, and this is DECIDED advantage
to many families who have been burd-
ened with the constant buying of rap
idly changing text books in other states.
Out ofrdo0r study, nature classes, hik-
the CanfOfflIa SCHOOLS, anu rnuy, scnUUf
days become the happy round of ad-
ventures and enjoyable occupation they
should be to all children
For specializing in music, dancing,
artistic expression, in acting and So
called movie" work, there are scores
of private schools which specialize in
these things, and thus many parents
feel as though they are developing
talents in their children which would
necessarily have to be smothered in
most other places. Great open-air
nature studios Of interpretive dancing,
etc. founded by world famous teachers,
are to be found in the mountains and
glens of California, and from them the
studios and stage draw their youthful
tasent at need.
Los Angeles boasts Of more than
score of parks, wher4 happy childhood
may frolic every day ii The -Tear. d.
Special attention to supervised playing
with trained directors, swimming pools
in dozen places, are among the picnic
grounds, with all the facilities for out
door housekeeping so enjoyable to
children, are thoughtfully provided by
the city.
In the matter of libraries, Los An
geles boasts five playground branches
SIS wei. SIS the wonderfully equipped