CARELESS TALK BAD INFLUENCE ON YOUNG CHILDREN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 25, 15 August 1949, Page 4

CARELESS TALK BAD INFLUENCE ON YOUNG CHILDREN

(By the Dept, of Health)

There is an old Victorian saying, “little pitchers have long ears.” Grandma used to quote it to Mother when she was making some remark considered by Grandma as unsuitable for children’s ears.

How easily grown-ups forget that a child can hear and remember what they are saying. Most children enjoy listening to what grownups are saying, especially if it has a spice of mystery, or if they feel the grown-ups do-not want them to know. Often, through hearing only snatches of conversation, the child gets - a completely distorted picture of what is being said. It is also most .unwise to talk about children in front of them, whether you praise or criticise. Perhaps most unwise of- all is to talk of the child’s health. in front of it. This is a good way to manu„ facture little invalids.

Some parents are apt to have too high an opinion of their own child’s abilities and to think their geese are swans. This may cause them to excuse a child’s failure at school Unsaying in front of it, “Oh, Mary didn’t get a prize because the teacher has a down on her.” Or they suggest that a child is unpopular because other children are jealous of her. This could lead to the children blaming defects on the unfairness of other people. Whatever you might think of . them, or their health or behaviour, beware of letting the children themselves into the secret —unless, of course, you’re keen on storing up trouble for yourself.