BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 10, 6 October 1917, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

Physical Education. The subject of physical education is one in which Sir James Allen, when acting as Minister of Education, took special interest. The. war has to some extent interfered with the Education Department's activities in extending the Goopo of physical education in our prim-' ary schools, but the subject remains one of considerable importance to all who are interested in educational work, lu a recently published book, 'Tbysical Edncation in Relation to School Lifo" (Allen and TTnivin), Mr. Reginald E. Roper, M.A., late assistant gymnastic muster at Eton, arid* examiner in hj-gicne and physical education, has prepared a statement of present conditions and future needs in physical education, for parents, teachers, members of education- and school -cure committees, and all interested in national health. Mr. Eopor is specially insistent upon the evil results of so liiany hours being spent by the scholars in a sittius position, and pleads eloquently for tho sotting aside of «t least three separate half-hours a week for "gymnastic lessons,' apart from games, dancing, boxin?,' fencing, wrestling, or other forms of phyBical activity, tho time allotted ip be quite ciclusivo of that necessary for changing clothee, shoes, etc." What he says on tho subject of "drill" is specially worthy of attention, so many good people being inclined to confound drill with gymnastics or real physical, education. Mr. Hpper deals also with such questions as discipline, tho relativo strength of boys and girls, tho effect of town Jifo on physique, and. the delicate and aiTicfldebated subject of "sex.education." The whole book is conceived and written in an eminently practical spirit, and 6hould be read by all who are .interested in the important question of how best to make the.children in our schools physically fitted to bear tlje strain of mental application and to grow up healthy as well as wollJiifornied citizens. Some excellent diagrams' enhance the interest and practical utility of the text. (New Zealand price, 3s. 6d.).