Recreation
163
No recreation helpful only to themselves will prove so great a
blessing to the children and youth as that which makes them helpful
to others. Naturally enthusiastic and impressible, the young are quick
to respond to suggestion. In planning for the culture of plants, let the
teacher seek to awaken an interest in beautifying the school grounds
and the schoolroom. A double benefit will result. That which the pupils
seek to beautify they will be unwilling to have marred or defaced.
A refined taste, a love of order, and a habit of care-taking will be
encouraged; and the spirit of fellowship and co-operation developed
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will prove to the pupils a lifelong blessing.
So also a new interest may be given to the work of the garden or the
excursion in field or wood, as the pupils are encouraged to remember
those shut in from these pleasant places and to share with them the
beautiful things of nature.
The watchful teacher will find many opportunities for directing
pupils to acts of helpfulness. By little children especially the teacher
is regarded with almost unbounded confidence and respect. Whatever
he may suggest as to ways of helping in the home, faithfulness in the
daily tasks, ministry to the sick or the poor, can hardly fail of bringing
forth fruit. And thus again a double gain will be secured. The kindly
suggestion will react upon its author. Gratitude and co-operation on
the part of the parents will lighten the teacher’s burden and brighten
his path.
Attention to recreation and physical culture will at times, no doubt,
interrupt the regular routine of school-work; but the interruption will
prove no real hindrance. In the invigoration of mind and body, the
fostering of an unselfish spirit, and the binding together of pupil and
teacher by the ties of common interest and friendly association, the
expenditure of time and effort will be repaid a hundredfold. A blessed
outlet will be afforded for that restless energy which is so often a source
of danger to the young. As a safeguard against evil, the preoccupation
of the mind with good is worth more than unnumbered barriers of law
and discipline.
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