BREATHING EXERCISES IN SCHOOLS.
A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. HEALTH OP THE CHILDREN IMPROVED. At Monday \night's meeting of the Wanganui Education Board the following report was preseqt'ed by the Chairman ;
For some time past the question of imparting knowledge in regard to that portion of physical culture popularly kuown as breathing exercises has been before the Board, but no systematic effort could be made to carry out the work owing to tho refusal of the Education Department to recognise such classes or to provide any funds for the expenso neeossarily incurred Isolated cases of schools where such instruction has beon imparted, mainly owing to the knowledge possessed by individual teachers, hiiyp been .known for several years, and in 1901, Mr R. 0. Jarrett, one of tho finest exponents of the Sandow system of physical culture, was engaged by the Board to give instruction to the teachers attending the wiater school, and was appointed honorary instructor to the Board to onabte him to havo some standing in visiting schools whero possible. Of course no systematic courso of ipstruction could be expected of what was almost entirely a labor of love, but tho result of enquiries from teachers whoro the work is carried out is sufficient to show that a marked influence on the health of pupils, and consequently upon the attendance, is manifest as a corollary of the breathing exercises. Mp Jarrott has visited the following aohools at different timos ; Longburn, Jaakeytown, Ohingaiti Turakina, South Makirikiri, Colyton* liongotea, Orangipongo, Lytton Street (Feuding) and TajJu le. Most of these schools were visited several times, and in oach instance personal instruction w.is givon to the teachers as well as to the children. With the object of ascertaining whether any benefit had been derived by the pupils from the cxnrciscs, Mr Jarrett forwarded a circular to the teachers who had utilised tho system, and from the replies received it U evident that the results havo been most beneficial. Special attention should be directed to the benefit derived by children with veak chests at Ohingaiti and Lytton street, the boy subject to asthma at liongotea, the family at Maneaonoho, and similar experience at Longburn. 1 append a summary of the teachers' replies:—
T ATTTftT TELEGRAMS.
A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT, i HEALTH OF THE CHILDHEN IMPKOVED.
Lytton street: Breathing cxcrsises have certainly improved the physique of the children-to a far greater extent than the other systems. Of 83 pupils in Standards IV.. V., and VI., since January only two have had colds, and both were pupils recently admitted. The general health was greatly improved. Two families with weak chests have shown marked improvement in health. In one or two eases the exercises have made an improvement in tile studying power of the pupils, and as the children are better physically, it follows that they are better mentally. After two years' experience ot the breathing exercises, would not return to former systems.
iVrikina: General health better. Citat hvo years at school had to close for scarlatina, mumps, and whooping cough, while last year the children were entirely free from sickness. Children measured last year showing a chest expansion of four inches now snow five inches, ages from ten to fourteen years. Conside: the physical drill moi - e beneficial than any other.
Upper Taonui: Thought the general health of pupils had improved; they are not so subject to colds j not same absence on account of sickness. Breathing adds interest to the exercises. Five minutes' breathing lias splendid effect when children fagged. Strongly recommend system South Makirikiri (lady teacher): General health improved since adopting system; chest complaints not prevalent, fewer colds and coughs and of less duration ; average attendance improved. Breathing exercises make children brighter and more observant. Pupils know value of fresh air, and quite capable of seeing to ventilation of schui'lruoiii; some sleep at home with open bedroom windows, and also take exercises in deep breathing when they arise. Five boys, aged 10 to 13, had measurements of from '2ll to 274 inches last year, with expansion of from tliree to four and three-quarter inches ; this year the same pupils' ciiest measurements ranged from 20 to 30} inches, with expansion of from three to four and three-quarter inches. Bongotea : General health better; pupils with sj much coughing as formerly and seem less subject to colds. Increases chest expanion and more health development of the body, more erect carriage and less round shouldered. One boy subject to asthma has not had an attack since taking the breathing exercise., in July, 1905. Breathing exercises have a great advantage over other drills. Manganaho: General Health better; one family of sicaty children are very fine both for health and development. Ohingaiti: Less sickness; children formerly subject to cr.iup and colds not troubled now; average attendance has improved; better .ihte to work. Strongly recommend every school to adopt it. After two years' trial it has given satisfaction.
Orangiponga: Very little sickness among pupils; making progress in studies since adopting system; slight increase in physique. Children seem keeD about the exercises.
Longburn: Change for the better in health; an improvement in children who were previously subject to cluvt complaints. Time possible to devot .• to exercises not sufficient to produc ■ those marked physical le.-.nlls which would otherwise be obtained. Carnarvon: Colds less frequent, and reeoyery from colds more rapid Think result of exercises most satisfactory and admirable for school purposes. Colyton: Two cases of chest com-
plaint have been improved during year, partly due to exercises; distinct- improvement in studying po x■ • miy be
credited to exercises. StimiU'c inter, est of pupils, and have improved carriage in some cases.
Jackeytown: In one case noticed slight improvement in chest complaint; dull children have improved in studying power; difference in children mentally parlly due to exercises; carriage of pupils improved.—JFbed Pibani, Chairman.—" Chronicle."
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2
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966BREATHING EXERCISES IN SCHOOLS. Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2
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