PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6756, 8 November 1928, Page 12

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE

BALANCED CO-ORDINATION OF ' ACTIONS MAIN OBJECT.

Every civilised country gives its children opportunities for education both mental and physical, but not every child, or adult, realises what is lost when those opportunities are neglected.

Many of us still think the solo aim and object of the drill or gymnastic lesson is to develop muscle, and this is one reason why the term ‘physical education' ' has been adopted. f The object of physical education is to develop in the growing child a balanced co-ordination of action between brain, nerves, and muscles; and the qualified drill teacher builds up lessons that will help the pupil to acquire physical balance and control. Every lesson contains, in its table of exorcises, movements for the muscles of' the limbs, back, shoulders, abdomen, and lateral muscles—in fact, every muscle group of the body. Exercises are given to encourage speed of thought and action, agility balance, and control; to develop character, courage, and a spirit of good fellowship and consideration for others; and teams are formed and controlled by the pupils themselves to develop the spirit of responsibility and leadership; It is often found that the so-called “brainy” child does not care for"the drill lesson, and this is quite natural, but should not be encouraged. The child whose mental development is in advance of its physical will find drill a real effort and will, in all probability, consider the time given to this lesson absolutely wasted. Parents often aid and abet attempts to shirk the lesson; and it is a great mistake for the clever child will make the biggest demands on the physical health. If the drill lesson is attended regularly a foundation of nervous and muscular strength will bo laid capable of supporting the delicate mental structure that is being built up.

Most of us have seen brilliant beginnings that have failed before a brilliant finish has-been reached, merely from lack of balance and ■ health, and in many cases this failure is the result of a refusal to accept the opportunities for co-ordinated development offered us in childhood.

We have little use for the person who neglects mental development in favour of purely physical, and yet there is more excuse for them than for the "brainy” enthusiast, for "the latter should have a mental outlook and reasoning power capable of realising the disadvantages of an undeveloped and'faulty physical machine. There is an exception to every rule, and the lack of balance of the genius Is proverbial, Education, however, has to deal with the requirements of the average child, not the exception, and the average physical requirement is to possess, upon reaching adult age, a condition of balanced development that makes good health second nature, with the result that the process of keeping fit requires a minimum amount of time and thought given to it. The object of physical education is to lay a foundation of good health and to train the muscular system with the least required amount of power with the least possible expenditure of nervous energy.