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the child develops, he must gradually be taught to observe the functioning of his internal
organs so that he may control them more and more, and see that this functioning remains
normal and harmonious. As for positions, postures and movements, bad habits are
formed very early and very rapidly, and these may have disastrous consequences for his
whole life. Those who take the question of physical education seriously and wish to give
their children the best conditions for normal development will easily find the necessary
indications and instructions. The subject is being more and more thoroughly studied, and
many books have appeared and are still appearing which give all the information and
guidance needed.

It is not possible for me here to go into the details of the application, for each problem is
different from every other and the solution should suit the individual case. The question of
food has been studied at length and in detail; the diet that helps children in their growth is
generally known and it may be very useful to follow it. But it is very important to remember
that the instinct of the body, so long as it remains intact, is more reliable than any theory.
Accordingly, those who want their child to develop normally should not force him to eat
food which he finds distasteful, for most often the body possesses a sure instinct as to what
is harmful to it, unless the child is particularly capricious.

The body in its normal state, that is to say, when there is no intervention of mental notions
or vital impulses, also knows very well what is good and necessary for it; but for this to
be effective in practice, one must educate the child with care and teach him to distinguish
his desires from his needs. He should be helped to develop a taste for food that is simple
and healthy, substantial and appetising, but free from any useless complications. In his
daily food, all that merely stuffs and causes heaviness should be avoided; and above all,
he must be taught to eat according to his hunger, neither more nor less, and not to make
his meals an occasion to satisfy his greed or gluttony. From one’s very childhood, one
should know that one eats in order to give strength and health to the body and not to enjoy
the pleasures of the palate. Children should be given food that suits their temperament,
prepared in a way that ensures hygiene and cleanliness, that is pleasant to the taste and
yet very simple. This food should be chosen and apportioned according to the age of the
child and his regular activities. It should contain all the chemical and dynamic elements
that are necessary for his development and the balanced growth of every part of his body.
Since the child will be given only the food that helps to keep him healthy and provide him
with the energy he needs, one must be very careful not to use food as a means of coercion
and punishment. The practice of telling a child, “You have not been a good boy, you won’t
get any dessert,” etc., is most harmful. In this way you create in his little consciousness
the impression that food is given to him chiefly to satisfy his greed and not because it is
indispensable for the proper functioning of his body.

Another thing should be taught to a child from his early years: to enjoy cleanliness and
observe hygienic habits. But, in obtaining this cleanliness and respect for the rules of

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