PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR CHILDREN
would be hard to move. If he rightly understood his power; if he knew how easy it is, by a little judicious daily work, to prevent or remove incipient deformity; to strengthen the weak; to form in the pupil the habit of sitting and standing erect; to add to the general strength; to freshen the spirits; and do good in other ways; he would gladly give whatever time daily would be necessary to the work; while, like most persons who try to benefit others, he would find that he himself would gain much by it as well. He has not a class of pupils stiffened by long years of hard overwork of some muscles, and with others dormant and undeveloped. The time when children are with him is almost the best time in their whole lives to shape them as he chooses; not morally or mentally only; but physically as well. The one shoulder, a little higher than its mate, will not be half so hard to restore to place now as when confirmed in its position by long years of a bad habit, which never should have been tolerated a day. If the chest is weak and flat, or pigeon-breasted; now is the time to remove the defect. Build up the arms to be strong and comely now; accustom the chest and shoulders to their proper place, whatever their owner is at; teach them to sit and stand and walk erect; cover the back with full and shapely muscles; get the feet used to the work which comes so easy and natural to them, once they are trained aright; and the same boy who would have grown up half-built, ungraceful, ill at ease, and far from strong; will now ripen into a manly, vigorous, well-knit man; of sound mind and body; familiar with the possibilities of that body; with what is the right use and what the abuse of it; and knowing well how to keep it in that condition which shall enable him to accomplish the best day's mental labor. And he will be far fitter
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