Punishment board used in a school to correct round shouldered children
Date made: 19th-early 20th century
Description: This curious object is known as a Punishment Board, and it is recorded that it was used in a school to correct the posture of round shouldered children. There is a hole cut in the board to take the head of defaulter. The child was made to lie on the board, with its head pillowed in the hole, thus its shoulders would be squared off.
The board is made of wood, unpainted, with a hinged board fitted underneath to raise one end.
Much time and effort was expended upon posture in schools in the early 20th century, in an effort to prevent children 'slouching'. Classes were devoted to posture, with exercises such as balancing a book on the head. Whilst it was well known that poor posture in childhood could lead to permanent physical deformity in adulthood, it was equally understood that for numbers of children the problem was one of poor nutrition.
Measurements: overall: 181 x 53 x 5 cm
Materials: wood
Object name: punishment board
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-7821