Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-23

younger members of the household. Before
allowing a child to set foot over the doorsill
for school, she inquired if his teeth were
brushed, his nails and ears clean, his shoes
polished and his hair combed. Even then he
might not be able to escape in time for a
game of tag before school, if father CHANGED
to spy bread crust uneatel on his breakfast
plate. Many time, in those days, was a
child unceremoniously recalled to the table
by an irate parent and told, mot to stir out
of this house for school until all that mush,
or oatmeal, has been eaten up"
But conditions have vastly altered. Many
mothers becoming absorbed in other in
tereSts, not to say jobs. Others are so taken
with new ideas of allowing little Algernon
to develop his own individuality that they
sigh resignedly when he wines, "Oh NAM
ma, but [ don't want it, and hurry him off
to school. lac modern father who sees two
thirds of his family at the breakfast-table is
rare individual.
Now, it is teacher with her much talked-Of
small salary and usually, enjoying the state
OF single bleSSedneSS, to whom falls the add1-
tiOnal duties Of seeing that some 20 80
little Algernons and Suses brush their teeth,
have their lunches in the right kind of boxes,
comb their hair, sleep with the windows open
and do various other things, both at home
and at school, that are for their physical
good The Trenton Normal school of Tren-
ton, N. j. is among those most active in
teaching teacher how to wheedle Algernon
that will get results without calling down
upon her head the wrath of the parents who,
regardless of their own neglect in such mat
ters, resent what they please to term the I'M
warranted interference of outsiders.
A Vegetable Race
The method of teaching the health game
is in the teachers own hands and cOnSid-
cradle ingenuity and originality have been
evinced in the way the work has been ham
died in various schools Some teachers en-
cutting n niCfur2S ILLUSTRATE
ing health habits and the making of posters.
This work and neat printing can be taught
during the painting lesson. One teacher de-
vised vegetable race on the blackboard, all
the vegetables good for children being lined
up on Monday, and each vegetable moving a
step ahead a child reported eating it.
Health education is finding it's way to the
child mind through almost all of the courses
of study ArthT etc problems deal with
quantities of milk, cereal or the proper spac-
ing for good ventilation; English lessons,
written and oral, may be guided al . health
subjects; little plays and verses. are devised
by the child en- themselves and presented at
parent-teachers meetings.
AS far as possible Sc DOL authorities secure
the cooperation and interest of parent-teach-
ers' organizations and womens clubs. The
Council of Federated Womens Clubs has
shown great interest in the work Many
clubs have been of material assistance in fur
nshing the schools with scales to weigh the
-
getting warm lunches for the children, and
in numerous other ways. The womei-'s clubs
of Knoxville, Tenn have helped physical ed
ucatlon make progress in their state. The
Women's Community Council of Minneap-
oils has also done some splendid work, CO.
operating with the University of MOnnesota.
All over the country civic and educational
organizations are combining their forces into
teamwork for PLAYING the health game.
Our work with physical education is also
interesting foreign countries. CZechO-SlOVa-
kia has made inqui~ e. as to methods pur-
sued along this line, through the medium of
the American Red Cross. A well-knOwn Aus
tralian club woman has carried enthusiastic
ideas of the work to her native country. ia
pan has had compulsory physical education in
her schools for more tLan thirtJ years and
Japanese students in the United States have
shown eagerness in watching Ou- progress.
Ambassador Jusserand, of France states
that poor as the French people are after the
war; the government has found them eager
to have appropriations est aside for this work
in their schools. At the present time it is
conducted mainly under the supervision Of
the Military authorities
England gives national aid to local COM
munities for providing, physical education
Sweden has had universal physical education
in her high schools for many years. Ger
many and even Russia takin& progress
sive measures along this line. Evidently, the
mother who used to pride herself on the deli
cate constitution of her child is going out Of
fashion all over the world