Dr e Allen

Mr. Jacobs

Dr« Allen

Mr. Jacobs

De

Well, I would say first a continuation of the
kindergarten - the pleasant, semi-active singing
games, such as Ring Around the Rosy, Looby Loo,
Round the Mulberry Bush; then the mimetic exercises
and Funting and chasing games, but nothing highly
organized in the sense of games. These rhythmic
plays and games stimulate the hopping, skipping

and running which are so beneficial to the physical
development of the child.

What about games that call for a high degree of
skill, accuracy or fineness of movement for little
children?

I think that should not be overly encouraged, The
purpose of games for children is to activate the
child in a pleasant way -- with music and with
rhythmic games. Games of skill are not so essent-
jal at this age. Of course, the children will
want to bounce a ball-as an individual pleasurable
activity, but their nevromuscular system is not
highly enough developed for team play.

Where do you think the organized games should begin,
that is at what level should they be introduced?

I think when the hero-worship stage begins, about
12 == at the gang-spirit age. But I wouldn't
organize them into any leagues, even then. I'm
speaking of interscholastic competition. I would
have groups, and while I would teach my fundament-
als through competition, it would not be highly
organized competition. I am thinking of junior
high scholastic competition, where one school team
competes against another. I would discourage that
for the reason that the child has too much tension
already -- too much nervous tension. But during
the summer time it is all right and rather inter-
esting to have twilight baseball leagues. This .*
will keep the child out of doors in active play
when he does not have the strain of school life,

I think we overdo the competitive side in junior
high school.

Do you believe that the training of teachers in
elementary schools is adequate to carry on the
type of program you describe?