The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-10-16

the lnIdntS, ana lneS SOoH learned
enough color discrimination to grab
for the most conspicuous OF the group.
AT a remarkably early age the father
commenced a system OF physical cul-
ture. Before the movements could be
made automatically, each tiny limb
was grasped and worked in all possi-
bic natural directions. BY tempting
him with colored toys, each child was
soon taught TO raise himself from re-
cliuiug posture. All sorts OF gymnas-
ties were INDUCED in, at first artificial
". and all of the muscles of the body
were daily made active by this system.
When first placed in a sitting posture.
the babies OF course toppled over, but
the father or mother was always near,
so that when the topping occurred the
only discontinue was a painless bump
OF the head against one of the parental
hands. Even this was Objectionable to
the infantile disposition. Soon it was
learned that by sitting upright there
would be no such bumps, and one of
the primary laws OF self-preservation
was learned. Stronger and stronger
efforts TO sit erect unsupported were
soon successful. As soon as crawling
was accomplished-and it was master
ed at an extraordinarily early age
each infant was placed in the center of
large table. The first instinct was TO
creep TO the edge and drop off. The
parental arms always managed to catch
the daring little fellow before he could
strike the floor. This slight jar was
not pleasant, and soon another lesson
in elf-preservation was learned Other
simple lessons were given, such as the
lodging of light blows, the avoidance
of hot objects, etc. When about six
months old each child was grasped un-
der the arms, jumped on the fathers
shoulders and taught to assume vari-
Gus harmless attitudes when supported
in his arms. When about eight months
old they could turn simple somersaults
while held in his hands.
Being a great athlete himself Mr..
Dinwiddie was able to gradually devise
more and more elaborate acrobatic
tricks for the little ones, all of which
were controlled entirely by his grasp.
Up TO the time they were respectively
one and two years old he never let them
perform these feats Independently.
Now he can lift them by their ankles or
feet, hold them straight in the air, re-
quire them to perform all sorts of
somersaults, swings. balances and
jumps, above his head or under his
arms and legs. Although no profess
sional acrobat could obtain a better
fundamental training than this, Mr..
Dinwiddie tells the writer that it is to
be put to strictly practical use. The
whole system of physical culture Will
be aimed strictly at muscular co-ordi-
nation and self preservation. 1t will
not be carried into absurd phases,
whose results are often seen in the all
physical college man. As result of
this cultivated activity one of the chill
dren, who fell down a steep fight of
stairs when but year and a half old,
reached the bottom unhurt by catching
himself on each step as he continued
to roll. The little girl, the elder of the
two, can now jump from point 16 feet
high and fall into her fathers arms
without sign of fear This physical
culture is enjoyed by both little ones
more than their usual games. Both
children are taught to ride bicycles
and to swim.
Ever since they have been able to |
notice ordinary objects both of these
children have been regularly taken out
for walks or drives, during which expe-
ditions every object along the way
which might interest them has been |
named and crudely explained 1t has
been a regular habit of the father, in
the hours directly preceding bedtime,
TO recite to the little ones interesting
stories descriptive of the habits of all
familiar animals and of the uses of the
different familiar plants. At the table
they are taught the names of their food
in the natural product. Although no
efforts have been made to clog their
minds with school-book lore,
both of the tots can say their letters
and their figures. The beauty of their
training, as described to the writer by
their father, is that they always play
at work The world of nature is made
for them an interesting kindergarten
and playground combined. Their pa
rents are their playmates rather than
their taskmasters, and all discipline
and authority is weighed out as the
advice of trusted and more
companions. Their men
tai, moral and physical healths, accord
ing, to Mr. Dinwiddie, are to be further
developed by gradually advancing edu-
cational games and amusements, until
they are each eight years old, which
q oe in his onini0n will he sufficiently
early for them to begin school and as
sociate with other children not known
by the parents.
Mrs Ruckner tho wife of the LETTER.