Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-07-05
TEACH COOPERATION
DURING PLAYDAYS
BY ELEANoRE WElsMAN, superin-
tendent of Schools, Eastern District

y y
tendent of Schools, Eastern District
of Dane County.
The community that contrives to
make each farm child within its bor-
ders know six children where before
he knew but one is increasing it's
chances for rural business co-opera-
ton in the future at least skiold.
A playday for half a dozen neigh
boring schools, one school taking the
part of host and the other schools the
part of guests, furnishes an occasion
packed with opportunities for child
acquaintance. Playing with one an
other is the children's way of getting
to know one another And a group
of children who have learned to play
together is a group that will learn
most easily how to work together.
Gets Folks Together.
Not all the values of country school
playdays, moreover, lie in the future.
Through the medium Of song, folk
dances, games, athletics and various
contests, a whole community made up
of several school districts may be
aroused to a mental state of high So
cial hope and expectancy. In fact,
the existing tendency toward narrow
ness Of outlook, whether of the indi-
vidual, of the family, or Of the school
district, is being, even now, gradually
undermined in the communities where
the country school playday has taken
Its place alongside other rural social
practices as part of the program
Of rural progress.
A playday is a day of play among
schools Of the township or community
with one school taking the part of
host. Not only do the teachers and
children attend, but the adults of
each community as well. The school
is easy for all to get to, and while it
may not be at the geographical center
of the town or of the community, it is
as good an all-around place for meet
ing as may be found.
Teaches New Canes.
It affords an occasion for one neigh
Dor to meet another and for people
from different parts Of the township
to become acquainted 1t is a means
of establishing companionship be-
tween old and young, for there is
nothing more effective for the pur-
pose of arousing a common interest
than the merry contests which grow
out of the various games.
1t is Ia means of getting good games
y11o ho% oh{ xry;1 nj
them at school, at home and in other
available places. Country children
are suffering from the lack of play
games. Many of the little children
are simply initiating the older chill
dren and are not playing games suited
to their own age. In fact, the ma
jority of schools are playing no run
ming games without a ball and no
games where children just shout and
laugh and have fun.
Good for Adults, Too.
No teacher need be afraid of over
emphasizing this interest in games.
Fun, sheer fun, is a part of the heri-
tage of the race and few things at our
command call forth such spontaneous,
fresh-hearted laughter as good game
The playday movement seeks to
reach the adults as well as the chill
dren, so that they shall have the cour-
age occasionally to take a day off
from work The pleasure to the chill
dren is equaled by the enjoyment and
benefits that are derived by the
grown-ups from sharing in this day
of fun and merrymaking.
On playday held recently an old
resident was asked during the pant
ing pauses of the games whether he.
was enjoying the afternoon. "Of
course / am" he replied, II only wish
these events came twice a year in
stead of once"
Teachers Are Leaders.
One of the easiest ways OF organiz-
ing township playdays is to have the
matter presented to the teachers dur
ing the county teachers institute. The
games can be decided upon there and
learned by all Of the teachers. If
playday is to be a countrywide pol
icy, the county superintendent NAV
appoint temporary chairman for
each town, who will call meeting
Of her teachers some time before the
close Of the institute.
If the teachers of a township decide
to have such a day, the next step is
to elect playday officers, a president
and secretary treasurer. Committees
on arrangement, lunch, program and
games, consisting Of two members