The Washington herald., 1908-02-02
play At viii, climbing trees

llA GAAuitu - uA ANtiAANt NAie
country. Here they can run ana
play al VIII, climbing trees,
swimming. rolling on the soft green grass
all exercises that develop every muscle
in the young body. The foundation for
health in later years is laid in early life
4 child of eight whose muscles are al
lowed to grow soft and weak will make
an adult of twenty physically unfit for
work or play.
But for those poor little ones who can
not have the outdoor exercise Of country
life nothing could be better than a nurs-
cry gymnasium, where they can work of
their surplus energy in healthful gym
nastics. such as Indian clubs wands,
parallel bars, and rings attached 10 the
ceiling
For the uttlest ones very light dumb
bells and clubs must be provided, for
healthful exercise means just the ordi-
mary play of the muscles. not the strain
ing to carry heavy weights nor acconp-
fishing difficult feats. The gymnasium
should also be provided with cheap
mattress. This is invaluable for friendly
wrestling matches and for breathing eX-
erclses, where the child lies fat on his
back and, taking long deep breath,
slowly raises the arms and expands the
lungs Then. too, the mattress will pre-
vent many a bruise when the swinging
clubs are added to the routine
The correct handling Of Indian clubs
IS an art that most children take pride
i'm acquiring. They are "a great assist
ance In teaching the child TO balance
gracefully on the feet and when properly
handled they make the wrist absolutely
flexible. at the same time strengthening
the arm.
The wand exercises are TO teach grace
and equilibrium. and the weights fastened
10 the wall are useful as exercises for
the muscles Of the shoulder, but great
care should be taken that the weights do
not tax the strength and that the child
stands correctly while exercising.
No child is too young TO make some
attempt at gymnastics. however light
they be- If the usual appliances are too
heavy Tor the littlest of the family, they
can go through the same motions as the
older members without the weights in
for them 10 attempt the regular work
they should begin with the dumbbeIs
and work through the wand exercises
clubs. bars 90 the rings. which is really
quite a step
The nursery gymnasium viii undOubt-
edly prove an assistance to nurse and
mother and of benefit to the youngsters
themselves. but it should be an axiom
that at the first sign of fatigue the ex-
eTcise must stop Even as gymnastics
are "a help to the growth, SO would over
exercise become a menace TO health, ana
it is a most important point in gymna-
stun work to see that no child taxes his
strength in any way
The parallel bars for this reason, must
bee carefully watched. and childish zeal
must be restricted lest a strain should
result. The same rule applies 10 the
swinging rings. and even simple exer-
else with dumbbells or clubs should be
done for only a limited time each day,
for children are usually interested in
what they are doing at the moment. and
they do not realize how tired they are
until it is time 10 rest, and TO an over
weary child sleep comes with difficulty
For the same reason lessons should be
postponed for a little while after exercis-
ing. for both mind and body require re-
taxation after strenuous gymnastics in
the nursery.