The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-02
Games Have Great
Educational Value
For Children

al influence tnat no one can ap-
prcciatc," declared Mrs. j. II. King
in speaking of the value of play
to children.
"Children can be completely trans
formed in their way by the playing
CT games" said Mrs. King. The
value of play for girls from ten to
sixteen, particularly from the ages
of twelve to sixteen, can not be
over emphasized" she declared, "fo1
it is in those ages that girls are
likely to incline to NOPE instead of
taking part in healthy exercises.
"Mothers and fathers should take
an active interest in seeing that
their girls come out to the play
ground and join in the sport" as
serted Mrs. King.
In discussing the subject she
made the following statements:
"The player comes to see more
quickly that the ball is coming to-
ward hm,-that he is in danger of
being tagged, that it is his turn. He
hears the foot-step behind him, or
his name or number called, he feels
a touch on his shoulder, or in in
Vulnerable other ways is aroused
quick and direct recognition of and
response to things that go on around
him.
"The clumsy, awkward child be-
comes agile and expert; the child
who tumbles down today will not
tumble down next week. He runs
more fleotly, lodges with more
agility, plays more expertly in every
way, shows thereby neuro- muscu-
lar development.
"Thc social development through
games is full as important and pro-
nounced.
"Many children, whether because
Of lonely conditions at home or
through some personal popularity,
do not possess the power of readily
and pleasantly cooperating with 9TH
ers; those can find hoA only in the
intelligent application of some of
the principles of play already emu
merated. Many of their elders lack
the same faculty. And as a conse-
quence they are placed at a great
disadvantage in business, in society
in fact in all relations of life.
"The bold, selfish child learns
that he may not monopolize oppor-
tunities, the unappreciated child
learns self-respect and the respect
of others through some particular
skill that makes him desired part
ner or respected opponent. He
learns to take defeat without dis
enlargement and to win without
undue elation.
"Most important of all, however,
in the training that comes through
games, is the development of will.
The volitional aspect of the will
and it's power of endurance are
plainly seen to grow in power Of
initiatives: in courage to give dare
and to take risks, in determination
to capture an opponent, to make a
goal or to. win the game. But pro-
badly the most valuable training of
all is that of inhitition-that power
for restraint and self-control which
is Cne HlSneSC aspect u Tie Will uho
the latest to develop.
"To be able in the emotional ex-
element of tense game or a
close contest to observe rules and
regulations; to choose under such
circumstances between fair or un-
fair means and to act on the choice;
is to have more than mere know
ledge of right and wrong. 1t is to-
have the trained power and habit of
acting on such Knowledge power
and habit that means UNNECESSARILY
for character.
"It is for the need of such train
ed and balanced power that contests
in the business world reach the
point Of winning at any cost, by fair
means or foul> 1t is for the need
of such trained and balanced power
of will that our highways of finance
are strewn with the wrecks of able
men.
eff the love of fair play, sense
of ture moral values, and above all,
the power and habit of will to act
on these, can be developed in our
boys and girls, it will mean immea-
surably for the uplift of the COM
munity."