This article, first appearing in Christian Education in 1924, extensively quotes from Counsels to Teachers by Ellen G. White.
I. What is said of the development of the child Jesus?
"The Bible says of Jesus, ' The Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom : and the grace of God was upon Him.' Luke 2 : 40. As He worked in childhood and youth, mind and body were developed."—"Counsels to Teachers," p. 147.
2. What was the guiding principle of Jesus in the use of His physical powers? "He did not use His physical powers recklessly, but in such a way as to keep them in health, that He might do the best work in every line."— Ibid.
3. What should be our guiding principle in selecting recreation for our children?
"In the children and youth an ambition should be awakened to take their exercise in doing something that will be beneficial to themselves and helpful to others."— Ibid.
4. How should physical strength be gained?
"The exercise that develops mind and character, that teaches the hands to be useful, that trains the young to bear their share in life's burdens, is that which gives physical strength and quickens every faculty."— Ibid.
5. What recreation is recommended as especially beneficial to the careworn student?
"Work in the garden and field will be an agreeable change from the wearisome routine of abstract lessons to which the young minds should never be confined. To the nervous child or youth, who finds lessons from books exhausting and hard to remember, it will be especially valuable."—Ibid., p. 187.
6. What is the effect of engaging in games of no real value?
"While the youth are becoming expert in games that are of no real value to themselves or to others, Satan is play- ing the game of life for their souls, taking from them the talents that God has given them, and placing in their stead his own evil attributes."— Ibid., pp. 274, 275.
7. Why is it just as necessary to safe-guard the children on the playground as at any other time during the school hours?
"'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.' 1 Peter 5: 8. He is on the playground, watching your amusements, and catching every soul whom he finds off guard, sowing his seeds in human hearts, and gaining control of human minds."— Ibid., p. 283.
8. In selecting and playing games, what should be especially avoided?
"Those students who allow their minds to be deeply excited over games, are not in the best condition to receive the instruction, the counsel, the reproof, most essential for them."— Ibid.
9. What games are mentioned as especially objectionable?
"A view of things was presented before me in which the students were playing games of tennis and cricket. Then I was given instruction regarding the character of these amusements. They were presented to me as a species of idolatry, like the idols of the nations."— Ibid., p. 350.
10. From what is the greatest benefit derived for the students?
"The greatest benefit is not gained from exercise that is taken as play or exercise merely."— Ibid., p. 308.
11. Is amusement as necessary as the world would have us believe?
"I cannot find an instance in the life of Christ where He devoted time to play and amusement."—Ibid., p. 309.
"Diligent study is essential, so also is diligent, hard work. Play is not essential. "— Ibid., p. 308.
[The above instruction refers, not to children, but to youth, as the context shows. It is natural and right for children to play, but their play should be supervised by parents or teachers. Children should also be taught to work; and as they develop toward maturity, play should recede into the background, and work become more prominent. The change must be gradual: at just what age it should become complete varies with the circumstances of the individual's development, his environment, and his training; but it is manifest that the mature youth should have the steadying, inspiring influence of interesting, educative work, instead of the childish influence of play.— Ed.]
12. Should parents and teachers be unsympathetic with the child's desire to play, or stand aloof from his sports?
"There is danger that both parents and teachers will command and dictate too much, while they fail to come sufficiently into social relation with their children or scholars. They often hold themselves too much reserved, and exercise their authority in a cold, unsympathizing manner, which cannot win the hearts of their children and pupils. If they would gather the children close to them, and show that they love them, and would manifest an interest in all their efforts, and even in their sports, sometimes even being a child among them, they would make the children very happy, and would gain their love and win their confidence. And the children would more quickly learn to respect and love the authority of their parents and teachers."—Ibid p. 77.
13.What is the "better way" declared to us of the Lord in determining real recreation?
"Satan would lead them to believe that amusements are necessary to physical health; but the Lord has declared that the better way is for them to get physical exercise through manual training, and by letting useful employment take the place of selfish pleasure. The desire for amusement, if indulged, soon develops a dislike for useful, healthful exercise of body and mind, such as will make students efficient in helping themselves and others."— Ibid., p. 354.
14. What question should be asked by all who contemplate engaging in amusements?
"The body as well as the mind must have exercise. But there is great need of temperance in amusements, as in every other pursuit. And the character of these amusements should be carefully and thoroughly considered. Every youth should ask himself, What influence will these amusements have on physical, mental, and moral health? Will my mind become so infatuated as to forget God? shall I cease to have His glory before me ? "—Ibid., pp. 333, 334.
15. What modes of recreation are highly beneficial to both mind and body?
"There are modes of recreation which are highly beneficial to both mind and body. An enlightened, discriminating mind will find abundant means for entertainment and diversion, from sources not only innocent, but instructive. Recreation in the open air [think canoeing, hiking, birdwatching], the contemplation of the works of God in nature, will be of the highest benefit"— Ibid., page 335.
16. While sinful amusements are condemned, what is the responsibility of parents and teachers in this matter?
"Youth cannot be made as sedate and grave as old age, the child as sober as the sire. While sinful amusements are condemned, as they should be, let parents, teachers, and guardians of youth provide in their stead innocent pleasures, which will not taint or corrupt the morals. Do not bind down the young to rigid rules and restraints that will lead them to feel themselves oppressed, and to break over and rush into paths of folly and destruction. With a firm, kind, considerate hand, hold the lines of government, guiding and controlling their minds and purposes, yet so gently, so wisely, so lovingly, that they will still know that you have their best good in view."— Ibid.
17. In place of objectionable amusements, what shall we endeavor to substitute in their place in our schools?
"I urge that our schools be given encouragement in their efforts to develop plans. In industrial training there are agricultural and other lines of industrial work. . . . But let us remember the blessing that physical exercise brings to the students. . . .”
"We must not be narrow in our plans. In industrial training there are unseen advantages, which cannot be measured or estimated. Let no one begrudge the effort necessary to carry forward successfully the plan that for years has been urged upon us as of primary importance."— Ibid., p. 317.