PHYSIQUE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16282, 15 July 1916, Page 9

PHYSIQUE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Good work is being carried out in Otago in regard to physical education in the schools. Dr. Ada Paterson, who has been medical inspector of schools in Otago and Southland during the past four years, and who left last week to take up a similar position in Wellington, recently gave an interesting resume of the progress and results that have come under her notice. She said: "About three months ago it j was decided to form special classes at I some of the schools, in order to prove the j great utility of this tuition. For this pur- : pose children who showed sub-normal muscular development, bad posture, <"'r i any slight deformity were gi\t-n careful i attention, the classes being railed corr : tive or remedial. We knew perfectly well i that there were numerous, .other < hildren ! who required the physical exercises, but lit was impossible to take them all in 1 hand. The experiment has proved the i value of the work undertaken in the 20 ! schools »' and near the city. I have ! found a wonderful improvement in the. ! children treated. I held examinations of : them recently, and ill almost all cases ■ discovered an increase of chest mcasure- ■ ment. general development and weight. i The work has, indeed, been well worth while. The school teachers have given useful and enthusiastic help to the scheme. 1 understand that the scope of these i classes is to be enlarged, and I believe ! that it will bt- a fine thing for the younger : generation." Dr. Margaret McCabon. of j Timaru, who is succeeding Dr. Paterson. , is about to proceed to Invercargill, where j similar classes to those instituted in Otago j will be started.