Day 79 Exercise

Erik Theodor Werenskiold, "Briskeby Boy with Sledge"

“Education is the Science of Relations; that is, that a child has natural relations with a vast number of things and thoughts: so we must train him upon physical exercises, nature, handicrafts, science and art, and upon many living books; for we know that our business is, not to teach him all about anything, but to help him make valid, as many as may be of

     'Those first born affinities,
     'That fit our new existence to existing things.'” 

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“All Mind Labour means Wear of Brain.––And first of all, the more educable powers of the child––his intelligence, his will, his moral feelings––have their seat in his brain; that is to say, as the eye is the organ of sight, so is the brain, or some part of it, the organ of thought and will, of love and worship. Authorities differ as to how far it is possible to localise the functions of the brain; but this at least seems pretty clear––that none of the functions of mind are performed without real activity in the mass of grey and white nervous matter named 'the brain.' Now, this is not a matter for the physiologist alone, but for every mother and father of a family; because that wonderful brain, by means of which we do our thinking, if it is to act healthily and in harmony with the healthful action of the members, should act only under such conditions of exercise, rest, and nutrition as secure health in every other part of the body.”

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“Now, observe, the blood is only fully oxygenated when the air contains its full proportion of oxygen, and every breathing and burning object withdraws some oxygen from the atmosphere. Hence the importance of giving the children daily airings, and abundant exercise of limb and lung in unvitiated, unimpoverished air.” 

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“…for abundant daily exercise in the fresh air is of such vital importance to the children, that really nothing but sickness should keep them within doors.”

                                                   *

“…some sort of judicious physical exercise, should make part of every day's routine. Swedish drill is especially valuable, and many of the exercises are quite suitable for the nursery. Certain moral qualities come into play in alert movements, eye-to-eye attention, prompt and intelligent replies; but it often happens that good children fail in these points for want of physical training.”
 
 
 
Examen: “Show the importance of daily physical exercises.” “What moral qualities appear in alert movements?” What is keeping us indoors?  Am I ready to provide for children that which I will not do for myself?

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Education is the: Charlotte M. Mason, Home Education, 1:Preface.
All Mind Labour: 1:21.
Now, observe, the blood: 1:28–29.
 ...for abundant daily exercise: 1:88.
...some sort of judicious: 1:132.
Show the importance: 1:364.

Day 79 Exercise meditation/100 days copyright Laurie Bestvater 2025
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