Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
ELIZABETH O'NEiLL
On Summer Playground Work

TNlIE great need of summer playground
L work in Philadelphia is for trained
teachers. says Miss Elizabeth O'Ncill, who
has charge of that dep >rtment of public
school work
1--WE are now in the second month of tho
summers work. said Miss ON"ill. land
while there is a definite program followed
out every day at all the Fairgrounds. there
Is no over supervision. The programs are
flexible and much is left to the discretion OF
the teachers regarding the work at the play
grounds.
But it has been the experience of all
who have been associated with LhiS work,
both in Philadelphia and elsewhere. that
there must be supervision unless we are TO
have the unwhO!cSomc atmosphere of the
alleys and the back streets brought into the
Fairgrounds. 1t Is true that all children
know certain number of games, but games,
like everything else, deterioratc by being
handed down from generation to generation,
md each succeeding generation must be
taught how to play in the proper manner,
If high standard. both Of the games and
of the children. is to be maintained.
Forming Correct Habits
"Many persons misunderstood Just what
is meant by the idea of supervised play.
They think that the children are compelled
to do certain things Mt certain times where
as the real truth is that the trained super
visor knows exactly what the child can do
and sees to it that each clild is placed in a
position where he will form correct habits.
This is, after all, the main object in super
viSng play.
Again, many persons have the idea y
any one can handle Il playground, but the
truth Is that this has become a specialized
matter and keeps the person employed busy
from the beginning of the day until tn" close.
Many persons apply to us for the position of
playground teacher but in most of the cases
Gal hot hnv huy nnt bnl ,l,,, IT,.
training to do the work.
''At the opening Of the grounds both in
the morning and the afternoon, there are
opening exercises or assembly and in these
the keynote Of til" day is given. These are
the periods in which are given anything in
the way of health, safety or kindness talks,
and they have an important influence on
the minds of the children. We have had
repeated instances that the seed sowcd
during these little talks have grown into
permanent fruit.
Qualifications of n Teacher
"Thcrc IS a difference between the teacher
and the supervisor. The latter visits the
playground and assists the teachers in over
coming any possible difficulties In the way
of making suggestions or in organization
work.
'The teachers themselves are all normal
school graduates and they take two years
course in the playground work. This course
cOnSlStS OF one ltSSOll IL week Tor twenty
weeks. This coming year the lessons will be-
given in the West Philadelphia High School
for Girls on Tuesday evenings from 1870 to
o: 80. They are given instruction in games,
both elementary and advanced. gymnastic
| games, songs, song dances, folk dances.
| stories for both younger and older children
and in handwork. The latter Is sometimes
| known as manual training and includes pnpcr
| and cardboard work, hammock weaving VOL
| ley nets and the Gaming Of chairs. They are
| also taught the making of simple posters.
'"The teacher who has received this
| training has no difficulty in going TO tLe
playground and giving instruction in tbe
| work which Is to be done, We CO. operate
| in all the playground work with all the
| civic clubs and organizations. We teach it,
| tie girls to take the proper care Of their
| smaller brothers and sisters and teach many
things on the Fairgrounds besides actual
| play.
Many Subjects Taught
kindness to animals is a feature Of tbis
| work, this being taught through short talks
| animal songs, stories and posters. Mouth
| hygiene is also taught and, by co-operation
| with the Park Commission, the children are
instructed how and when to destroy the
| cocoons of caterpillars on the trees. We
also teach safety, both in and out of the
| Fairgrounds. and lay especial emphasis Nm
] the health side, showing the necessity a.