Figure 1.-- Here we see French boys doing drill and exercise in 1939. I'm not sure what type of school this was or where it was located. The boys look to be younger secondary school, bu I didn't think boys wore smocks in secondary schools. |
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School drill and exercises were a common component of 19th century schools. This included schools in France as well as mny other countries. The activities involved have changed substantially over time. This has included both the type of exercise and the importance of exercise itself. They have also varied by school level. Schools in the 19th century often featured drill as a form of both physical exercise and discipline. French schools were primarily academic in orientation, but many schools also had drill. Sport was still developing as a major activity in the 19th century, at first priomarily in Britain. Few schools had the grounds needed for sports. Drill continued into the 20th century when modern physical education programs were developed. We do not see drill at American and British schools much after World War I (1914-18). Drill sees to have continued in French schools somewhat longer. Here a factor seems to have been that many French schools lacked gyms or sports field. French schools appear to have been more narrowly academic than American and British schools. Here we see French boys doing drill and exercise in 1939 (figure 1). I'm not sure what type of school this was or where it was located. Presumably it is the building in the background. It looks to be quite a large school. You would think there would have been a gym.
School drill and exercises were a common component of 19th century schools. This was at atime when many schools were first founded in France. This included schools in France as well as mny other countries. The activities involved have changed substantially over time.
We note many different types of exerciae. At first there was highly ritual drill. This seems a watered down form of military drill for the children. Gradually we see exercise as more of a warm up period for gym classes.
The imporance and purpose of drill and exercise has varied overtime. Drill at first seems primarily an activity to instill discipline in the children. Over time the discipline became less important and the physical activity became the primary focus.
Drill and exercises have also varied by school level. We don't see maternelle children during drill, but the maternelle was mostly a 20th century development. We see the teachers rather than drill, involving the children in all kinds of fun exercises to develop their bodies, muscular control, and ballance. We do see children in primary chools doing drill. Schools in the 19th century often featured drill as a form of both physical exercise and discipline. French schools were primarily academic in orientation, but many schools also had drill. Sport was still developing as a major activity in the 19th century, at first priomarily in Britain. Few schools had the grounds needed for sports. Drill continued into the 20th century when modern physical education programs were developed. We do not see drill at American and British schools much after World War I (1914-18). Drill sees to have continued in French schools somewhat longer. Here a factor seems to have been that many French schools lacked gyms or sports field. French schools appear to have been more narrowly academic than American and British schools. Here we see French boys doing drill and exercise in 1939 (figure 1). I'm not sure what type of school this was or where it was located. Presumably it is the building in the background. It looks to be quite a large school. You would think there would have been a gym.
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