TEACHING CHILDREN TO PLAY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 55, 28 November 1907, Page 3

TEACHING CHILDREN TO PLAY.

; "'Scientific method is now beginning to affect 'oVeryrpliase of human activity.' Books aro written 'telling jhow we -may livo the perfectly healthy lifej as directed by the latest dicta :of: hygiene. Other books, tell how to jivo'"happily though wedded," and there is indeed a-tremendous amount of literature, still growing. at an iiinazing rate, all relating to- that... magic, il. "How. All of whicti mostly affects grown-ups. Regarding child lifo one'would think that play is the simplest and most; natural of 'juvonilo actions, and that the-,old. games that have done duty for hundreds'-of years might still sulfico, such as "Ilondpn Bridge is , Falling. Down, "Here Come. Three "Jolly; Jolly Sailor Boys Just Lately Come :on Shore, "Ring Around a Rosy," and , those dear .old familiars. At Slidreditch, England, there is in operation a'society Organised specially to teach the children how. to play. It has been eminently successful, and the children enter with great ardour into the, play.. These games have for their purpose not only tli'o, normal and natural enjoyment of the children, but with them is combined. such "a course as will develop a child in both mind and body. So, it is ; while'..the- youngsters are rollicking in apparent play they aro also being instructed without knowing it'. •