London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Tottenham 1919

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham District]

This page requires JavaScript

32
been made to prevent the occurrence of deformity, and those who have
witnessed classes of children, clad in light cotton garments, bare arms
and bare legs and feet, engaged in Eurhythmic exercises, will be obliged
to acknowledge that in addition to the wholesome development of the
aesthetic sense, there is produced that delicacy of movement, and
symmetry of form that we are encouraged to look for and so seldom
find in children. Respecting Eurhythmics, a local teacher of the art
writes as follows:—
"There never was an age in the history of art when rhythm played
a more important part than it does to-day; and in Eurhythmies we have
the expression of the desire for rhythm in its most fundamental form—
that of bodily movement.
In addition to being a physical education, Eurhythmies seeks to
give complete self control by establishing a rapid co-ordination between
the body and brain, and by giving a power of concentration and analysis
which allows the child to control its naturally automatic movements
and' to form fresh motor habits.
The stimulating of the physical sense of rhythm is obtained by
the help of music. Music plays the part first, of controller and finally,
by stimulating the nervous functions, of inspirer.
To take a joy in the beauty of the body, to train the mind to
move graciously and harmoniously both in itself and in relation to those
around it, and to make the child's whole life rhythmic is the ideal
that M. Dalcroze, the founder of the system, desires to attain."
Physical Training:—The Tottenham Education Committee have
not appointed Organisers of Physical Training in their Schools. They
are, however, aware of the importance of the work and have taken
the following steps to improve the instruction in physical exercises:—
(1) From a number of applicants the Committee selected a
trained, certificated teacher in a Girls' School (Miss O. Beauchamp)
for a year's course in the Physical Training Department, University
College, Reading. Miss Beauchamp had leave of absence for the required
period and an allowance of £60 towards her expenses. On the completion
of her training this teacher's services will be used In connection
with the physical instruction in the Committee's Central (and possibly
other) schools.
(2) An Infants' teacher (Miss F. M. Walmsley) was given leave