Evening star., 1937-03-22
Scent of White Flowers Captured Night When Od0r Is
Play Comes
In Teens S
Children Rarely En-
JOY Working on the
Same Thing.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

MOTHERS are sometimes troubled
by the play ways of their children,
often needlessly, for children play in
different ways during the different
stages of their growth Little chill
dren of and years like to be to-
gether for short periods. If they are
together too long they become very
tired and fall into temper and tears.
They seem to enjoy being close to
each other, looking at each other
rather vaguely, now and then sharing
a common interest, but each attending
to his own as when each builds his
own block house. Rarely will they
enjoy working on the same one. They
are individualiStS.
The 5-year-old children. and those
close to that age, like to have a central
interest Two or three of them will
play truckmen, but each must have
his own bit of equipment One will
hold on to the truck or wagon, one
will claim the shovel, another the
privilege of selling the sand or boss
ing the Job. There is a common
interest, but very little cooperation.
Now and then there Will be a fist
fight when all tools are laid down and
matters adjusted. These spatS are
rarely serious enough for groWn-upS
to take hand in settlement Oc-
casionally one of the group will use
his shovel as weapon, but only occa-
sionally. He is the rare child. usually
the one lacking in control in other
ways.
The little girls of and 9 like to
play house and each takes her role
in the drama. They argue a bit about
who shall be the mother, but usually
they get along well enough The boys
of this age argue long and loudly.
They go to the lot to play ball and use
three quarters Of the time in standing
up to each other and calling, you're
out" Il am not" You are So"
Grown-up people lose all patience
with this proceeding and wonder why
they don't get down to business and
play ball, They are playing Just
let them play it out. Their lungs need
the exercise as well as the rest of their
bodies
1t is in the teens that play is
organized and the teams begin to take
on form and power Now uniforms
are demanded, rules are strickly en-
forced leadership is recognized ad
cooperation willingly offered.
AS adolescence goes forward play
merges into work and the boys and
girls are less active, less noisy. more
self directing. Their interests are
more personal, characteristic of their
thinking, their tastes and powers.
They begin to develop their hobbies
and take up new ones. These often
foreshadow lifelong interests and
occupations
Play is the business of a child's
life, 1t is highly important to the
growth of his body and the develop
ment of his mind The way a child
plays has great deal to do with the
way he works in after years. Grown
people can do little about the matter
save to supply the place, the necessary
equipment, and allow the adequate
time After that the children have
to be left to themselves for the most
part. 1t is we'll to have some mature
and understanding person in the back
ground, but the background is where
he ought to stay,
Every play room, every playground,
fitted for children, is valuable asset
to the community 1t is as valuable
as the school, as necessary as the
church. 1t extends the influence of
home and school and church and
closes the reform schools. Children
who play well are certain to live well
ever after.
Mr. Patri will give personal atten-
ton to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
yelopment of children. Write him in
care of this paper, inclosing Scent
stamped self lf-addressed envelope for
reply.
tCopyright, 1870