THE LONG VACATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19436, 23 October 1925, Page 5

THE LONG VACATION

SCHOOL CHILDREN BENEFITTED. DR ELIZABETH GUNN'S OBSERVATIONS. ‘‘l am delighted with the general physique of the children,” remarked Dr Elizabeth Gunn, medical officer of the Wanganui Education Board, at Wednesday night’s meeting of the board. She added that they were looking better this year than they had ever done. She did not think that the prolonged holidays consequent upon the

infantile paralysis epidemic did them, any harm—indeed, from what she could gather it had generally done them good. She had been informed by the teachers both in the town and country that the children were in no way backward as a result of the long vacation. This, she continued, was definite proof that the holidays had not •been detrimental. The health, of the children had also improved. She would like, in view of her observations, to see the school holidays extended tiH the end of February. Of course, certain restrictions would be necessary, and in this connection the doctor suggested making provision for nature study,

games, etc., instead of the usual school work. Her experience was that during ing short holidays, both the children and teachers took too much out of themselves, and returned to work tired. The fact of the children now not being behind with their work as a result of the long vacation was presumably due to them having been confined to their homes and gardens. The restrictions demonstrated how beneficial the enforced outdoor restrictions had been.