At the Conventions CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE At the recent Character Development Conference held in Chicago February 16th to 18th there was insistent emphasis on the modern educational ideal, that growth must come from within, that success cannot come from imposing from without. Again it was stated that habits and conduct established before the age of five years is likely to serve as a foundation of character. It was suggested that one of the most serious problems in society exist because the world is populated largely by grown-up children, that modern civilization forces people to work eight hours a day while their natural inclinations tend toward play. Sports permit grown-ups to be children in a dignified way. The child should not be spared hardships which many parents underwent in their earlier years. Many parents leave no opening for children for forming good habits because they are always protecting them from such hardships. The best habits are formed by struggle. The path of control is in seeking out the constructive side of the conflicts into which a child walks. If children are to build the finer elements of nature, they must be provided with an environment which will bring out these finer elements. It is for parents to do things indirectly to provide the right child environment, so that the child will come of his own accord to regret the bad things. Parents must have an understanding of the child's comrades, for so much depends upon such comrades. Discipline is largely indirect and consists of getting into the environment in which the child lives the things that call out the best from him and help him to decide what is right so that he will be able to judge when he is successful and when he fails. One of the speakers asked, "Should a curriculum of leisure be put into our schools and colleges; how should a nation use such an asset unless leaders be trained to lead them? Somebody needs to build a program for home leisure which should build up character. Is the use of leisure a spiritual problem?" Another speaker said, "America has not discovered how to play; has not learned the depths of play. Of the greatest importance for constructive development is the use of our leisure individually and collectively." Please mention THE PLAYGROUND when writing to advertisers A Dustless Sanitary Playing Surface Assured by Using Solvay Each year brings increasing demand for the use of Solvay Flake Calcium Chloride to provide a dustless, smooth, and sanitary surface for children's playgrounds. Dust is unsanitary; it carries many germs harmful to children, as well as to adults. Solvay Calcium Chloride is a white, odorless, flaky material that absorbs moisture from the air and retains it on the playing sur'face, which remains very slightly damp and therefore free from dust. SOLVAY Calcium Chloride lays the dust, and has a decided germicidal action which has attracted the unqualified endorsement of physicians and playground directors. Solvay is harmless to clothing and playthings-will not track or stain and may be applied without in any way affecting the use of the playground. You will find Solvay Flake Calcium Chloride a real economy for the proper maintenance of playgrounds and tennis courts. Anyone can apply Solvay-just open the 100-lb. bag or 375-1b. drum and spread the material evenly over the surface. 75 conveniently located shipping points assure you prompt service. Write for booklet No. 1159 SOLVAY SALES CORPORATION Alkalis and Chemical Products Manufactured 40 Rector Street, New York Please mention THE PLAYGROUND when writing to advertisers centres. Improving PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES through the HARMONICA Leaders of Playground and Recreational Ac- The small size and low cost of the instrument, Mr. Glenn M. Tindall, the well-known Super- "I consider the Harmonica most valuable in Book Reviews RECREATION AMONG NEGROES. By William H. Jones. Published by Derricotte and Company, Washington, D. C. Price, $2.50 William H. Jones, Professor of Sociology in Howard University has just issued, through the Howard University Press, "Recreation and Amusement among Negroes in Washington, D. C." With student help, Prof. Jones listed and visited various recreational resources available for negroes in Washington and classifies his results under Non-Commercialized Recreation and Amusement, Commercialized Recreation and Amusement and Some Behavior Sequences of Inadequate Recreational and Amusement Facilities. His method is to list carefully the various facilities and resources, including not only playgrounds, social centers, churches and other obvious non-commercial resources, but also the home, the social clubs, the barber shop, the streets, and to make intelligent and significant sociological comment on the facilities and the conditions therein and their probable effect on human beings who share the recreational life offered. The section on Commercialized Recreation, in addition to noting the more or less obvious things, comments effectively on the restricted opportunities for enjoyment of the higher grade facilities which Washington provides for its white citizens. Among the more unusual observations is the assertion of the lack of organized gangs among the young people of Washington; the need for more social club organization, with an exclusiveness that will help to establish standards; and the recognition of the Washington fact that the geographical areas which had the largest number of juvenile delinquents were those in close proximity to playgrounds. The book is a significant study of one phase of negro life in urban environment, with full recognition of the fundamental importance of leisure and its use. SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN. By Lois Hayden Meek. Na tional Headquarters, Washington, D. C. Price, $.25 This syllabus for the use of study groups has been organized as a guide to the study of certain aspects of the life of a child during the years he is attending the elementary school. Part I deals with children's needs, and II with school machinery. An excellent bibliography is included. INTERESTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN. By Lois Hayden Meek. Published by American Association of University This is the third in the series of Guidance Materials for Study Groups issued by the American Association of University Women. The study outline has to do with the value of play, plays and games of various ages, toys, building materials, dolls, making things, indoor play rooms and outdoor playgrounds. Valuable bibliographies accompany each section. The outline will be found helpful not only by study groups but by individual parents. COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME VISUAL AIDS IN SEVENTH GRADE INSTRUCTION. By Joseph J. Weber. All who are interested in usual education will wish to know about this study submitted to the Department of Educational Research and the Faculty of the Graduate School of Columbia University as a doctor's thesis. Mr. Weber seeks to answer the question, "Will the use of pictures along with verbal instruction combine economy in the learning process? And, if so, how much?" The results of the study indicate a distinct value for pictures only as aids, not as substitutes. FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU-Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1927. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. The report of the activities of the Children's Bureau Please mention THE PLAYGROUND when writing to advertisers Not only does The H. J. Heinz Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa., provide the public with its 57 Varieties," but it If you are considering the erec tion of a playground fence, you are invited to take advantage of the Advisory Service of the Anchor Post Fence Company, and its experience of over 30 years in manufacturing and erecting fences for playgrounds and other properties in every section of the country. This free service is nation-wide in scope and is gladly rendered. Use the coupon on the opposite page. ANCHOR POST FENCE CO District Offices: Albany: Boston; Charlotte; Chicago; Cleveland; Detroit; Hartford; Houston; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Mine ola, L. I.; Newark; New York; Philadel phia; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; San Francisco; Shreveport Sales Agents in other Cities NCHOR ANCH Please mention THE PLAYGROUND when writing to advertisers |