Brochure of Vocational Training for Mentally Handicapped : Chapter VI
AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN GENERAL & ALSO WITH REFERENCE TO MENTALLY HANDICAPPED:
In the Field of Education, Physical Education plays the most vital part. It not only helps in the production and maintenance of health in body and mind but also it helps a good deal to increase the span of attention and concentration. As Alice Descoeudres says, “But for the mentally defectives it is still more indispensable, since many of these are suffering from defects in their general health, or in some particular organ. The value of Physical Education or Training lies in the fact that it is concerned with a sense that is ignored in the other branches of teaching, the internal sensitiveness of the body and its reactions in the form of movements ……”
Modern concept of Physical education is based on “Movement”.
Physical Education is education through physical activities for the development of the total personality of the child to its fullness and perfection in body, mind and spirit. In recent years the philosophy of education has changed. Physical education with increased knowledge of child development and better understanding of modern Society have realised that well-planned physical education can contribute to making life happier, more adjustable and meaningful.
Physical education is of far greater importance in Special Schools and Classes than in ordinary ones, because here it plays the part of a “curative agent”. Even in the normal child the requirements of life and recognised needs of human organism arouse the necessity for physical training. This has manifested itself in the form of Exercises, Play, Group activity etc. Thus the physical education not only trains the child’s mental, moral and social qualities but also helps the awareness of environment and develops alertness, presence of mind, resourcefulness, discipline, co-operation and the spirit of respect, sympathy and generosity towards others.
But for the mentally handicapped, who are blessed with less intelligence, emotionally and temperamentally imbalanced, incapable to adjust with others, can not reason adequately, it is still more indispensable. They are unable to take full advantage of the general physical education curriculum. They need specialised attention in addition to the regular programme, as among them there are children with dual handicap. In addition to their low LQ., they are either ‘post polio cases’, the cerebral palsied, victims of heart disease, sub-strength cases, epileptic, post surgical cases, as well as children suffering from poor motor co-ordination, obesity, malnutrition, postural difficulties, or emotional problems. Perhaps in no other field of educational services do we receive the gratification that comes from working with these handicapped children. It has been observed that these children need the value of Physical Education much more than do the normal children.
The Physical Education may be understood better by the following stages : They are :
i) Physical Education & Training (Education of all movements)
ii) Physical Activity (Specific deed, or action)
iii) Physical Fitness (in good physical condition or health)
1. PHYSICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING : (Education & Training of all movements)
Let us understand the meaning of Physical Education :
The Dictionary meaning of Physical Education :
Physical – Pertaining to body (matter and its study)
Education – bringing up or training or to teach.
Thus ‘Physical Education’ is bringing up or training the body, i.e., it is the training of body and mind at the same time. The meaning of ‘Training’ – It means, “to prepare for performance by instruction or by practice, diet, or by exercises, or otherwise to bring body and mind to a highest pitch of efficiency”.
Therefore, Physical Education may be defined as, “series of repeated movements which are co-ordinated, skillful and economic movement in order to fulfill a particular task.”
The word ‘Movement’ is an act, process, or result of moving in a particular manner of moving – “movements of various parts of body. Our work is to coordinate these movements” by organised, disciplined and systematic methods, to give a meaning.
Dr. B.S. Bra( Prof. of Physical Education, of Laxmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior; defines Modern concept of Physical Education.
“The Term, ‘Physical Education’ means training the physique and equally important, educating the pupil about his body and its needs. In other words physical education is not only concerned with physical activities – games, sports, and other forms of physical activity – but also with communicating to the student the Biological Impact that Physical Activity has on the human body itself.
This is one of the existing but incomplete concept of physical education. To arrive at its modern concepts one has to look back and analyse what has happened in physical education since its beginning. The several important changes that have taken place in Physical Education along with its modern concepts are listed below:
1. Physical Education has changed from an unscientific to scientific field.
2. Physical Education is changing from an unorganised to an organised field.
3. Physical Education is changing from an unspecialised to a specialised field.
4. The emphasis is changing from physical training to physical education
5. The teaching of physical education is changing, using a more informal and democratic approach, rather than formal approach.
6. Physical education is changing from an emphasis on a few skilled and selected individuals to an emphasis on masses and on all individuals.
Physical Education is expressed through movements, the ultimate aim is of total well being of a person :
(a) Physical well being
b) Mental well being
c) Emotional well being
d) Social well being.
II. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY : –
– (Specific deed, action, – function – Work up – in elementary grades, that involves direct experience rather than text book study).
– the state or quality of being active.
Dr. R.L. Chopra, of Laxmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior, defines, ‘Physical Activity’, is a behaviour primarily characterised by observable and vigorous physical output.
It is more vigorous and overt than movement behaviour. It is denoted by movement of larger muscles, utilising large amount of space and with a moderate to a maximum amount of effort involved.
According to Dr. R. L. Chopra :
General Physical Activities are :
i) Play ii) Games iii) Sports
Physical action performed for some specific purpose is
Physical Activity : Such as,
(a) Games
(b) Athletics
(c) Competitive matches
(d) Maintenance of Good Health :
ACTIVITY : Means :
A = Agility – Swift change of direction of movements in the environment – (Quick)
C = Creativity – Conditioning, appreciation of the movement of body.
T = Tune up – Tone of muscles – Resistance
I = Involvement – Development of energy
V = Values – Action to be desired or planned to have some value.
I = Imprint – Impression, own or Public
T = Therapeutic – Exercise Physiology or Exercise Circuit Training
Y = Yearn – Totality of the Action, i.e. evaluation, contentment in Progress – by the student as well as staff.
Classification of Activity :
(a) Individual – Runniqg, swimming etc.,
(b) Combat – Karate, Judo, Wrestling etc.,
(c) Dual Activity – Athletics, Swimming etc.,
(d) Rhythmic – Gymnastics, Dance etc.,
(e) Self motivating – Gardening, fishing etc., activity
(f) Team Activity – Football, Hockey, Cricket etc.,
(g) Mass Activity – When mass takes part – Marathon, Mass Drill etc.,
(h) Creative Activity – Painting, Storytelling etc.,
(i) Rehabilitative – Activity designed to restore to proper
activity condition.
III. PHYSICAL FITNESS
“Physical fitness is one’s richest possession. It can not be purchased but has to be earned through a daily routine of physical exercises”. – Defines Dr. M. Robson, 1 st Director of L.N.C.P.E. Gwalior.
Dr. Robson also remarked, “Muscles account for more than 70 to 80 percent of one’s body weight and whenever there is a muscle, there is a need for movement or exercise. Our muscles make us what we are : weak or strong; vigorous or lethargic, Exercise is the master conditioner for the healthy and a major curative power for the ill.”
According to Dr. M. Robson :
THE QUALITIES OF PHYSICAL FITNESS:
1. Cardio – Respiratory Endurance – is the quality that enables one to continue engaging in reasonably vigorous physical activities.
2. Muscles – This is the quality that enables a person to Endurance sustain localised muscle group activities for extended period of time.
3. Strength – Muscular force – one is capable of exerting in a single muscular contraction.
4. Speed – Speed is the ability to make rapid movements of the same type in the shortest possible time.
5. Power – It is the quality of muscle to contract forcefully in the quickest possible time.
6. Agility – It is the ability of the human body to change direction quickly and effectively.
7. Flexibility – It is the functional capacity of a joint to move through a normal range of motion. It is specific to a given joint and is actually more dependent upon the musculature surrounding a joint than on the actual body structure of the joint itself.
VALUES OF PHYSICAL FITNESS :
a) Efficiency in work and performance
b) Resistance to Diseases
c) Efficient functioning of various system of the body
d) Aging Processes and Longevity
e) Proportionable Development of Body
fl Mental Health & Alertness
g) Preparedness for : does work efficiently and still has a emergency reserve of energy to meet emergency
h) Success in games & sports
Physical fitness in addition to bringing about better performance in games and sports, also helps in prevention of injuries in the long run.
Physical fitness is the basic foundation of most of the activities undertaken by an individual in his daily life. If a person’s body
grows soft and inactive and if he fails to develop physical prowess, he is undermining his capacity for thought, for work, which are vital to life and society in a welfare state.
Dr. Jayant Mukherjee of L..N.C.P.E. Gwalior, says about, “Values of Sports” – “It provides motivation for action. And once a boy is motivated, he starts learning, about himself, about his body, about the environment he moves in or plays. Child learns through Play.” He stressed – “the basic need in each human being (whosoever may be) love and acceptance. If these are fulfilled, the child achieves success in performance, of course according to his capabilities.” Dr. Mukherjee feels – that a mentally handicapped child shows some signs of growth in the following five areas : They are :
I. The Area of Mental Health : He feels happy that he is accepted and is a part of the team etc.
II. The Area of Social Development : The adjustment of the child with his group leader and the co-operation with his team mates, it also develops the progress in self-help, dressing and learns discipline etc.
III. The Area of Physical Development: This area is generally neglected because of safety factor. Due to low intelligence, muscles have not developed proportionately nor has he achieved the required motor co-ordination to a reasonable standard. A new plan for daily activity may be drawn.
IV The Area of language Development : It is an important area, without this, it is very difficult to communicate with other members of the team. The child tries to express himself either by articulation or by a few words, but slowly and gradually he learns to communicate with the other members of his team. It means there is an effort on the child’s part.
V. The Area of Intellectual Development: The child absorbs in taking part in play and tries to adjust himself – In this process a lot of thinking is involved. Dr. Mukherjee feels, it may help in development of mental capacity.
Thus the Physical Education comprises of
(i) Physical Movements
(ii) Physical Activity
(iii) Physical Fitness
Now the question is how one should implement this Physical Education to the Special Children (i.e. especially to the mentally handicapped).
This is an important task of a Special Teacher. Whatever may be the qualification of this teacher and whatever experience he/she must have gained to work or train these mentally handicapped children the teacher has to be conscious of the following points :- (4-Cs)
a. Clear Mind – It means, the teacher is to think positive in respect of the child’s capacity. He must see or observe the good things in each one. note the plus point of the child, i.e. what the child is actually doing his best. Kindly do not stress on those points what the child is unable to do and do not jump immediately to any definite conclusion.
b. Clean Habit – Teach the child how to keep clean, when to change clothes, washing hands, wiping the perspiration etc., etc.
c. Care for Food – Teach him to have good, well f–), to have clean drinking water, to eat in a clean place or environment. If it is required to inform parents, the teacher must not hesitate to do so, for the welfare of the child.
d. Concern for – To maintain regular chart of the weight, to keep medical history sheet uptodate.
Plan the curriculum accordingly : & implement stage by stage:
The techniques are very simple. the teacher has to demonstrate first and thereafter, the child is asked to perform. Thereafter both the teacher and the child perform at the same time, if possible correct the style as and when required.
The Need of the hour is “UNDERSTANDING” and “ACCEPTING” the child as he is.
“Mind without heart, intelligence without conduct, cleverness without goodness, are powers only for mischief. The dexterity of a pick-pocket or the horsemanship of a highway man may amuse us, but we cannot admire them. The character is power is true in a much higher sense then knowledge is power.”
English Author – Smiles
“A really great man is known by three signs – generosity in design, humanity in execution, moderation in success.”
German Statesman – Bismark