Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/178

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THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

frequenting it, and is equipped with sand gardens, swings, picture books, small blackboards, small toys and games. These play- grounds are designed especially for young children, and, while not regular kindergartens, the children are occupied by kinder-

garten games, songs, etc., and hundreds avail themselves of the privileges thus afforded.

Another method of entertaining and occupying children is followed by the Episcopal city mission, which is unique in its way, I believe, except for one similar room maintained in the Foster School in Chicago this year. There are a number of playrooms kept open during July and August, in the Sunday- school rooms of churches or halls. Here there are morning sessions of one and three-fourths hours each, with an average attendance of fifty children. "Everything" says Mr. Allen, under whose care they are, "depends upon the personality of the teachers, of whom each room has two, one playing the piano, while the other guides the children, whose ages average