Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06
Juvenile gymnastics

Juvenile Gymnastics
If simply and regularly performed, are ex-
cellent aids in keeping a child's body IN
health and trim, and they afford daliy
pleasure to the tiniest athlete. Every
nursery should be provided with mattress
on which the small children are able to ex-
ercise themselves The first exercise should
be to strengthen the muscles OF the Shout
ders and back. The child must stretch IT.
self downward and at full length upon the
mattress. and, while the mother lays hef
hands upon the calves of the legs ana
thereby acts as lever. the child throws
ont It's arms to right and left and tries to
draw itself up as far possible from the
face.
This exercise, practiced slowly every day,
will prevent contraction of the chest ana
will strengthen the muscles or the shoui-
ders to q marked degree. To prevent d
child from getting bowlegged, teach him 10
rise on his toes first on one leg ana then on
the other with his hands outstretched ABOVE
the head
Chair exercises are admirable for children
The child should first be taught to sit in a
chair the ordinary way and then 10 grasp
the sides Then the legs should be stlfened
and raised as stiff as possible. Another Is
to sit in the chair and bend the booy sloe-
ways to the right as far as possible ana
then to the left. This gives great feXlpinty
to the waist and is an exercise eaSly piao-
ticed by children.
The rocking horse recently has peen
adapted to chldrens exercises, and is mace
simply of a pair of strong rockers supplea
with three low seats, one in the center ana
one at either end. The idea is to move the
whole rocker over the floor by rocking 1t IN
such n manner that 1t will not overturn,
but will advance step each time. me
children must work all In unison and har-
mony and thus combine amusement and
hygiene.
The Person
Who Is to give baby his bath should be
provided with a large flannel apron; fas-
tened to this from the waist is pinned
large soft towel. Fill then both the tub and
the basin with water. The temperature or
the bath should be % to 100 degrees, neither
under nor over. Rely upon the thermom-
eter Do not test the water with the
hand; what may seem fairly warm to an
adult hand may be hot enough to scald
baby's tender skin.
1t is we'll to have a small pitcher of ex-
ceedingly hot water at hand for use in case
the water in the bathtub should cool before
the baby Is ready to go Into 1t. II Tor any
reason a bath thermometer cannot be had
the elbow affords q fair test. Do not nave
the water hotter than is comfortable to the
elbow.
When everything IS in readiness the baby
Is taken on the lap, the towel having been
puEneU TO one Siuc 81 Litset INC be'DS Us -
the flannel apron. Handle him as little as
possible. rolling him when change of po-
sitlon is necessary. But do not lift him. as
pressure on the stomach and abdomen
! where delicate organs lie Is uncomfortable
and often proves injurious to the child.
The Child's-
Original thought is a prize to be striven for
and coaxed into being. Originality Is one
of the most precious of faculties and is the
distinguishing mark of the leaders all the
world over whether they be leaders In
thought or in politics. or in business or in
invention as such. All have the inventive
faculty developed in one way or another;
It is the hallmark of their power and lead