BABY'S VIEWPOINT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 49, 15 February 1944, Page 6

BABY'S VIEWPOINT

REGULATED BY HEIGHTS

LIVING IN A LAND OF GIANTS

Though not all mothers will agree with the theory that a child's viewpoint is' regulated purely by his height and that tiny kiddies are li-lliputians living in a land of giants, it is true-that till children reach the age of five, (even more if they are small or stature), their dependence on us frequently fills us with a feeling of frustration. Have you ever bent down to your child's eye-level and noticed how high everything is ? Pictures on the wall are hardly distinguishable; i articles on shelves are completely out of sight; clothes are shut away in heavy drawers, or hung high up behind doors or in wardrobes. Lf a child wants a drink he has to asik for a cup which Jiangs high up on a kitchen dresser. He lias to have his face and. hands washed because the washbasin and soap are at adult height. He has to be lifted in and out of his high chair and cot. When promoted to the adult table, Uhe kiiddi/e is sat up on a chair which, in comparison with his height is. too low for him to eat his meal in comfort. To spill his food must be just as exasperating to him

as it is to us

Make Children Independent

Every mother might well look about her home, going from room to room and devising means and ways of making her children, from the crawling baby to the year old, as independent as their tender years will allow. With a few minutes given to the following devices, mother will be doing her poor overworked nerves and feet great service, and everyone in the house will be all the happier. Screw a cotton reel on the outside of all wire doors, low enough for the doors to be operated by the crawler, toddler and prc-school child. Hang Toddler's unbreakable cup on a cup-hook- beside the kitchen tap and train him to always leturn it to the hook alter he has had a drink.

Keep a tin (with an easily movable lid) full of breadcrusts on a low shell' and train Toddler to take only one when he is really anxious lor something to eat.

Make a small light table from any pine box, and a seat (with back support) from a suitable wooden box. Cover the table with oil baize and the seat with a small cushion. Always, set toddler's meal on his own little table and he will not only be out of the way but wiM enjoy his meal in comfort. Little Table More Comfortable

A baby of 18 months to two years is better sitting at a little tabic, provided he is well suportcd, than in a high chair, which easily tips over. A table and chair give him the freedom to run off and playwhen the meal is over, and there is no spoon banging demands "to be lifted down, please, Mum.''

Master Six-years will fidget less at the adult table if his feet are supported on a footstool, another small square box will do. A similar footstool or steps in the lavatory will give him greater independence in all important daily habits.

Make a low box table for the bathroom wash bench, cover with baize, and, place upon it a small hand basin, an unbreakable jug for 1 etching the water, and a celluloid soap dish ; an unbreakable beaker, tooth

brush and paste tube may lie added for the lour to five year olds. Just above this bench stretch a tape for towel and face-washer. Hanging on nails makes holes; the cornered tap method is too fiddling for little fingers. A comb and a small mirror hung low are assets in the training of independent social habits. The request "to run and get clean and tidy for lunch" is obeyed without hesitation. When Son (or Daughter) roivch.cs the four to five year stage make a point of keeping his clothes in a low cupboard (not drawers) so that he can select, them him or herself. Hang Girlie's frocks not in your big wardrobe but in her own little skeleton wardrobe. There are dozens of other simple methods of making your children independent in the home, but these points will give a lead to the. most important ones—those that will save mother many steps and precious minutes.