PHYSICAL HEALTH IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM OF HRYHORIY VASHCHENKO

Abstract

Summary. The article analyzes that part of the pedagogical heritage of the outstanding Ukrainian teacher Hryhoriy Vashchenko that concerns physical health and education, which the scientist calls the “physical education” term. Vashchenko’s study “Fundamentals of the Ukrainian System of Physical Education” and some other works of the teacher related to the problem of physical health are subjected to a detailed analysis.

It is noted that the aspect of physical health and education (physical education) is an organic component of the educational ideal formed by the teacher. It is traced and indicated that the genesis of Vashchenko’s system of physical education “grew” from the corresponding features of world pedagogical experience (antiquity, Renaissance, Enlightenment), the works of Comenius, Locke, Rousseau, as well as the experience of national and family education, Cossack pedagogy, etc.

It is noted that Vashchenko’s system of physical education organically included a moral and spiritual component, in particular in its religious (Christian) dimension, as well as permanent attention to the mental health of a child. The teacher drew attention to the need to avoid nervous shocks by a woman who is about to give birth, to a kind of “ecology” of the child's intrauterine life. Based on Vashchenko’s work “Physical Education as a Means of Educating Will and Character”, the studio consistently analyzed individual components of the physical education system: understanding and meaning of the principle of conformity to nature, the role of the family, physical hardening of the child, physical exercises, in particular gymnastic, health-improving games, hygiene, methods of health-improving work, correspondence of the material base and sports technologies, etc.

It was noted that in the “pyramid of values” of a teacher, perhaps the most emphasis is placed on the role of health-improving education in the family.