Show SUMMER WORK FOR CHILDREN 6 boston women are interested in pro Playground a for bliem some branches of the work of the massachusetts emergency and hygiene association appeal to public interest and attention at this time with especial force because preparations must now be made for carrying the work forward if dt is to go on one of the most interesting of these is the establishment of summer playgrounds for poor children last summer by kind permission of the boston and brookline school committees mit tees the association was allowed the use for playground of sixteen school yards in addition to the land on hildreth place these playgrounds were superintended super intended by women many of whom spent hours every day in helping the paid matrona matrons mat rons all the yards were provided with sand and toys but each had by preference its special one building sand forts another babylon of blocks which rose and fell daily while flower beds made a third delightful in others the kitchen garden games telling stories drawing pictures cutting paper toys playing games sing ing or learning to knit passed the time happily and usefully the matrona matrons had such success in controlling and pleasing their charges that thy police wondered and many mothers thanked the land caretakers for their childrens improved behavior how are the children benefited by these playgrounds one matron enthusiastically declared that she could give twenty good answers to this question they are amused and instructed all summer are kept out of dark and dirty tenement houses often from brutal parents they are taught cleanliness obedience and even while at play consideration for others their forlorn lives are brightened and sweetened by contact with wise and loving grown people the bathhouse at 54 prince street another branch of the association work is well patronized patronised patroni sed and it is hoped it may soon be supporting self the prices for baths are fifteen cents for men ten for women and five for babies the childrens home at 83 parmelier Par menier street which was opened nov 1 la an outgrowth of the winter playroom of 1890 it is a bright sunny house fur dished plainly but attractively the matron and her assistant live in the house the housekeeping is simple in order that the mother as well as children may learn that a comfortable and pleasant home may be maintained with a small income the children are welcomed from 1 till 9 p m the little ones are warmed amused and made happy from 1 till 4 the older ones from 4 till 9 come for advice sympathy and instruction st in the afternoons groups of little boys and girls learn to mend and sew on buttons bringing their own clothing to repair older girls learn to cook in the evenings there are talks readings singing gymnastics and the plan of the stamp savings society has been introduced a hundred children thus learning prudence and self denial the work of the house is to try by example to leacu these children how to improve their home life and by advice and instruction to teach them to cara for themselves physically as well aa to give them a higher standard morally boston globe |