The Washington times., 1906-09-16
MENTAL TRAINING
STANDS PARAMOUNT
Admiral Baird
Comment on Report Of Jas.
B. Reynolds to Board of
Education.
TRAINING THE CHILDREN
Says Physical Culture Is Not Proper
for Them at Early School
Age.

Al the meeting Of the Board of Edu-
cation Wednesday. President Roosevelt
submitted 10 that body full detailed
report covering the educational and
physical phases Of school life as OBJ
served and carefully studied by James
b. Reynolds. his personal representa-
tive. In his report to the President.
which was transmitted to the Board
OF Education through the President 3
secretary. William Loeb Mr.. Reynolds
took particular pains 10 point out the
grave necessity Of more physical cul-
ture He claimed that the welfare OF
the pupils was entirely dependent upon
healthy bodies. He suggested that
shower baths, gymnasiums. and other
physical culture appliances be intro
duced in the public schools.
Admiral Baird Takes Exceptions
In discussing the practicabiIity Of Mr..
Reynolds report yesterday. Admiral
Baird. president Of the board, took oc-
casion TO comment upon the suggestion
relative 10 the installation of gymnastic
apparatus I'm the schools He is Of the
opinion that the suggestion is indubit-
ably a good one, but not a practical
one. From a viewpoint relative 10 the
necessities Of life, Admiral Baird claims
that more attention should be given TO
the children's mental training. BY this.
the admiral means that the mental cul-
ture should be nrst observed. and then
If there is time TO devote to physical
culture, the opportunity should not be
lost.
I'VE do not want to make prize
fighters Of children" said Admiral
Baird. We want 10 cultivate their
mental ability. in order that they may
be able 10 cope with the obstacles that
arise I'm public life. As a rule boys leave
school when they have obtained gram
mar school education. Nine times out
Of ten they are assigned TO positions
which require mental ability. Arith-
meJic. grammar. geography. and spell
ing are studies essential to the ad-
vaucement Of all people. To this end
the attention and the efforts of teach
ors should be directed. When children
have mastered these fundamental neces-
stiles, then a little time could be de-
voted 10 physical culture.
Proper Exercise for Children.
mo child suffers for the want of
proper exercise. 1t is not Characteristic
OF children. In many instances they
take TOO much exercise especially the
boys When school concludes for the
day most children rush into the street,
the boys 10 play marbles. baseball,
football and the like; the girls 10 roll
hoops. jump rope and trolic about.
This is proper exercise for children of
course ] don't contend that physical
development should not be observed I'm
the schools. / merely believe that were
more attention given 20 the mental
development Of children Of tender age
the benefits would be more practical
II am also IN favor Of having the
best teachers in the elementary grades
II is while the children are young
that they lay the foundation for their
future usefulness. It is at the tender
age that the fundamental principles OF
al things should be instilled into the
minds Of children. As / said before
the major portion of the children are
required 10 give up their schooling at
a young age. and if they are not men
tally developed, they Will have a hard
row 10 plow through life. An ignorant
child is a disgrace TO the community
True some children have not the bene-
fit Of abundance OF time, but as a
whole the majority OF children are so
situated that they can so TO school for
a mum Der of years"