(4) _Teaching children how to play rightly._ All playgrounds, while in use, should be supervised by one or more responsible teachers. CASE 92 (SEVENTH GRADE) A big snow had fallen, but the weather had soon turned warmer and the snow had softened just enough to make snowballing good. [Sidenote: Snowball Contest] “You may snowball all you want to as long as you keep above the row of trees,” said the superintendent to the boys. A fierce battle was going on within the prescribed bounds. The contest increased in fury and finally one side was driven back. “Remember the limits!” cautioned one of the pupils. Most of the boys either forgot to stop or kept running in the excitement of the game, and rushed far beyond the limits. Then several more were crowded beyond the limits, and unfairly engaged in the contest from their new position. “You’d better quit now or get over with the rest all of you!” shouted the head of the schools. Charles stopped for a short time, but in a few moments threw again from outside of the limits. “Charles, you go upstairs at once!” were the decisive words of the superintendent, hurled at the offending boy in a way not to be mistaken. Charles mounted the stairs without delay and entered the office. The superintendent soon appeared. “What did you mean by throwing after I cautioned you, Charles?” asked he sternly. “Well—I don’t know. I got lost in the game and didn’t notice what you said, I guess.” “Well, what do you think, now?” “I think we should obey the regulation.” “Will it be necessary to speak to you more than once the next time?” “No, it won’t!” said Charles decisively. “Then you may go.” Charles left the office, glad to get off as easily as he did. Thereafter the superintendent watched this boy, but Charles was careful to obey whatever the teacher told him if the superintendent was within reach. CONSTRUCTIVE TREATMENT Some one must attend these children when at play on the school grounds. Organize the game, mark the boundaries carefully and coach the children just as in athletics. Have a comrade to attend them when they are running bases. Call the group together before the game opens; explain the chief points in the rules. Show what comes of neglecting the rules—confusion and several other bad things. Prove that just as much pleasure can be had by following some sort of system as if one goes at play in a helter-skelter fashion. COMMENTS All children must be taught how to play despite the fact that they have an insatiable appetite to engage in it. Scattering hints will often suffice and save not only injuries but open infractions of school regulations. Self-control is acquired only gradually, hence the orderly play that is so delightful for pupils in the teens is preceded by a period of learning.