New Britain herald., 1916-02-12

1 haDitS Of bodily COntrOl aIld e1IlC1eIlCy ! that will bring out the possibilities of
 the individual, physically as well as
 mentally. We therefore believe that | an education that completely meets
 human needs must include among it's ! aims complete volitional control of the
 body, economic posture and move
 ment and symmetrical physical devel- 1 opment.
 Moral and Social Development. Through the muscles we establish | and perfect habits and express our 1 selves in many ways. Therefore, phy | sical training is as important as mem ! tai and moral education, and it should l not be regarded as merely physical in 1 effect.
 ] The Problem of the Schools. During the pre-school life of the child it is the first duty of the parent and community to care for the health of the child
 When the child passes from the home to the school the problem is still how to preserve and promote health and more especially under the condi- tions of city life
 If there were a failure to do all possible for the preservation of health, the school would be poor servant of the community for it would neglect the most necessary possession of society, the health of it's young which is the promise of the welfare of future gen. erations.
 The Scope of tho Schools Problem. Physical education includes l. The training of body and mind and character through motor activity. Z. Certain health activities, such as hygiene, physical examinations and sanitary and medical inspections etc. Within the school these problems of health are many and serious The school buildings with reference to location, sanitation, ventilation, heating, lighting, the form and ar engagement of desks. and freedom from disturbing influences should be beyond criticism. The play grounds should be ample and so situated and so sur faced as to properly serve the needs of the children.
 length of periods for study, recitation and recreation and their order should be scientifically constructed
 The hyCienic aspects of the various school subjects and of IT ethods of in- struction and study should be corect- ly understOo and provided for
 The pedagogy and the hygiene of exercise and play, of recess and relax atiOn must be taken into account
 The means for prevention of contag- ion must be understood and employed
 The problem of cleanliness of the pupils, as well as the care and clean Illness of the school plant must be thoroughly solved.
 The detection of remediable physical defects and their proper treatment must be taken care of. -|
 These are some, not all, of the seri- ous scientific questions which demand the close study and attention of all who are responsible for the health of our children.
 It is, however, with the particular problem of health promotion through l physical education that this report is specially concerned. The Need and Value of Physical Train
 ing.
 Probably the best of all contro11a ble | means of preserving and increasing i the health of our childen and youth is properly regulated muscle culture. In l our day. and more especially in the ! industrial environment which sur l rounds the city dweller, muscular strength and endurance are needed 1 more than ever before, although it is 1 in the city that muscular strength and endurance are least likely to be ac- quired or preserved. Physical Training in European
 Schools.
 With reference to physical train ing we, in America, have much to learn from the more progressive Eu- ropean countries, particularly from Switzerland, Germany and Sweden.
 Tn Switzerland, for example, a gym nasium for boys and one for girls is provided in each elementary and High school. The gymnasia are considered as necessary as class rooms and assembly halls.
 Three hours a week for boys and for girls is devoted to physical train ing. One of these periods is given to organized athletics and sports i'll the school yard. School excursions are also an important feature of the physical exercises. Six or seven half days and in the upper grades two full days additional are taken for ex- cursions. Teacher and pupils wander into the country, singing popular and patriotic songs while marching. Games are played and geography and nature are studied.
 TWO evenings eaCn week, rom IlVe to seven o'clock there is outdoor work in games and sports under the direc- ton of the teachers. Attendance is required.
 Boys of twelve are eligible for an organization which meets for outdoor physical exercises on two or more afternoons each week under the di- rection of teachers who volunteer their services.
 The high schools have their own Turnvereine. For boys of the highest grammar school grade and the High School age while practice is required and practice with the bow and ar