PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1921, Page 3

PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

AN ADDRESS TO TEACHERS. With the object of giving 'an impetus to the work of physical instruction in our primary schools, Mr. H. G. Longworth, director of physical instruction for the Dominion, yesterday gave a most interesting and instructive address at the New Plymouth Technical College to an assemblage of about ninety teachers from the North Taranaki district. As it was found Impossible to hold the usual teachers’ “refresher” camp this year it had been decided to impart physical instruction to the teachers by means of an address. Mr. P. J. H. White (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) presided and introduced the speaker. In the course of his address Mr. Long- | worth spoke along the lines of the new physical instruction book issued to teachers, particularly stressing the in- ‘ separability of mental and physical ex*- , ercises, which were interdependent. The aim of physical exercises was not so much to build up muscle as to correct disabilities incurred by the child. A quarter of an hour at least should be given to physical exercises every morning. Some teachers, he knew, were not setting this time apart for the purpose, but it was of the utmost importance that they should do so. The exercises could be made more interesting to the children by the introduction of games, whilst the teaching of dance steps was also helpful. In regard to this latter, some teachers regarded this' kind of instruction as effeminate and consequently the boys had come to look upon it in the same light. Tha<t was a totally erroneous idea. In conclusion, he impressed upon teachers the necessity for giving physical instruction a leading position in school lire. Gn the motion of the chairman a hearty vote of thanks, carried by acclamation, was accorded Mr. Longworth for his able address. Several questions were asked at the close. One teacher asked if the style of desks used in the schools had anything to do with such deformities as round shoulders which were in evidence in school children. Mr. Longworth admitted that certainly this might be the cause of some of the deformities, but we had to make the best of what we had and, as he had said before, the exercises were mainly for corrective purposes.