Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/182

 l64 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

tricts and among various nationalities, and were the Washington School, corner of Morgan and Ohio streets; the Kinzie School, Ohio street and La Salle avenue; the Walsh, Twentieth and Johnson streets ; the Holden, Deering and Thirty-first streets, and the Lyman Trumbull, Division and Sedgwick streets. For each there were engaged a kindergartner and a man who should be a "big brother to the boys," for the older boys were consid- ered equally or more than the younger ones, the committee believing that they run the most danger, and older boys will not be constantly under the supervision of a woman. There is too much of sentimentalism over the influence of the kindergarten and kindergartner — they have their great use and value, but also their decided limitations, and it is time we recognize this. Boys want a man to guide and imitate, an athletic young fellow whom they will respect, admire, and love. And such the com- mittee tried to provide. The men were Inexperienced, but entered into the spirit of the work with enthusiasm, and from week to week rose in efficiency on the mistakes of the foregoing days. Mayor Harrison greatly favors this work, and it is to be hoped it may be extended another year. Seven hundred and fifty dollars additional were contributed by persons interested in securing the greatest efficiency possible in these grounds.

In Worcester, Mass., one playground has been opened.

In New York, for several years, a playground has been main- tained by the Nurses' Settlement, at 265 Henry street, where uninviting back yards have been transformed into a very bower of delight, showing what can be done in restricted spaces. Sand bins canvas-covered, a large tent, hammocks, awnings, parallel bars, and toys daily afford delight to the ninety chil- dren who are admitted, and whom a kindergartner entertains. In the afternoon a privileged few are permitted to come in. A few fine trees left from ancient days help to add to the beauty of this oasis in the wilderness.

The Union Settlement, at 237 South One Hundred and Fourth street, maintains a larger playground, similarly equipped ; like which there is also one on West Thirty-seventh street, and one on West Sixty-eighth street, the latter open all day.