PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR CHILDREN
There is nothing difficult in the work of strengthening the weak; making the somewhat crooked straight; of symmetrizing the partially developed; indeed, on the other hand, when once understood it is simple, inexpensive, and easy. More than all this, it is a work which the teacher will find that almost every scholar will take hold of, not, as in many other branches, with reluctance, but with alacrity; and it is always pleasant teaching these who are eager to learn.
But a little time each day is needed; never over half an hour of actual work indoors, and an hour out-of-doors. Suppose a teacher has forty pupils; and that thirty of them have either weak or indifferent chests. Let her form a chest-class out of the thirty, and, for ten minutes a day, let them practise exercises aimed exclusively to enlarge and develop the chest. Some of such exercises will be pointed out on page 201. Begin very gradually, so mildly that the weakest chest there shall have no ache or pain from the exercise. For the first week do that same work, and that much of it daily, and no more; but do it carefully, and do not miss a stroke. Let this exercise come at the appointed hour, as certainly as any other study. The second week make the work a trifle harder, or longer, or both. In this, and in every exercise, insist always on an erect carriage of the head and neck; and frequently point out their value. Insist, further, on the pupil's always inhaling as large, and full, and slow breaths as he can; seeing to it that every air-cell is brought into vigorous play. Show them the mistake and risk of getting hold of heavier apparatus; or trying more difficult exercise in the same direction, before the muscles are trained to take it. Overdoing is not only useless, and sure to bring stiffness and aches; but it is in it that any danger lies; never in light
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