THE CHILD AND NATURE 



By GUY SMITH, of San Leandro School 



Dedicated to the Boy's Outing Farm 



A half century ago the majority of our people were living in small towns and 

 on farms. Reared in such surrounding the growing youth could not get away from 

 nature ; turn where he would, the things of the out-of-doors greeted him. There 

 was the pasture, with its myriads of flowers and nectar-seeking insects to occupy 

 his attention, and develop his sense of observation. The old orchard was a con- 

 stant delight, while the creek and old "swimmin' hole" were better than any 

 moving picture show. 



Life was not always easy; there were the daily duties to perform, but withal 

 the youth had room for his powers to expand. 



The sad thing about the development of our modern industrial life is, that 

 it has taken the child from a natural interest-absorbing environment and placed 

 him in artificial surroundings. 



This contact with nature is a heritage which civilization has no right, and 

 in fact, cannot afford to take from the child. 



If you want to see a child grow, take him to the country or to the hills where 

 the things are not made, but where things just grow, and see little Johnny grow 

 along with them. One cannot overdraw this picture of expansion. You can just 

 feel the influences that are literally pouring into the little life. 



In order to appreciate the fine things of life, one must first appreciate and 

 understand God's great outdoors. 



One can better appreciate the soul stirring strains of the masters if he has 

 heard the songs of the wild creatures in the woods. How can a painting inspire 

 if one has not observed the wonderful color combinations found on a California 

 hillside in spring? How can the work of the sculptor be valued if one has not 

 observed the carvings of the Master Sculptor? 



How then can the city child get this influence which is so important? 



There are various ways, but the following is suggested. Hold exhibits of 

 the wild things. Bring them to his door, enthuse over them. He will get the 

 spirit. He will want to go where they grow. Organize hiking and camping 

 clubs. Develop school and home gardening. Many of the secrets of nature can be 

 discovered in your own back yard, or in a window box. Let the child plant a 

 seed and watch it grow. Incidentally, watch the child grow along with it. 



The American people are just beginning to realize the place and importance 

 of the fundamental industry, agriculture. If it had not been for the immigrant, 

 long ago we would have starved. Because of this short-sightedness, there has 

 been a mental, moral, physical and spiritual loss to the race. We now see the 

 error of our ways and are preaching the back to the soil movement. Men and 

 women who are reared in the artificial environment of the city and who have 

 not received the influences mentioned in this article cannot stand the solitude of 

 country. 



The back to the soil movement cannot succeed until we can send men and 

 women into the country who can feel with Byron "There is a pleasure in the 

 pathless wood." 



There is a rapture on the lonely shore, 



There is society where none intrudes 



By the deep sea, and music in its roar. 



Every child is open to the influence of nature. They love it, they feel it, it 

 is real. It should not be taken from them. 



