Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin.

  • Bolin, Jakob, 1863-1914.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/66 page 7
    of the school to-day. Their native countries weak- ened, dismembered, victims of scorn, subjected to in- sults and injustice, while their countrymen in careless © indolence saw nothing, did nothing, hoped for nothing. Such were the scenes upon which Ling and Jahn glanced. Such were the pictures which stirred them to activity. To make useful citizens by uniting strong bodies, strong minds, and strong characters, that was the aim of Ling, that was the object of Jahn, that is the purpose of our school to-day. The early gymnasts recognized the necessity of sys- tematic training in doing. They recognized that this was of equal importance with systematic training in thinking. Therefore, they introduced gymnastics, sports, physical activity of various kind. Our modern educators have arrived at the same conclusions. Motor training is in- troduced in every modern school. And hope is enter- tained that thereby not only shall the pupils acquire some direct utilitarian dexterity absolutely necessary for everyone in a civilized community, such as writing a legible hand, but that attention shall be trained in va- rious directions, that power of observation may be de- veloped, that knowledge may become more many-sided, because gained through several senses, that manifold relations may be established between facts which nat- urally belong together, and that there may be created the ability and the will to realize thoughts and feelings in action. The object in view is to make men and women ready and able to take their places as active members of the community. | In this motor training which our schools offer, gym- nastics and sports enter nominally, but their place is rather without, than within, the curriculum. They are not recognized as true educative agencies to be accorded
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3