HEALTH NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 30 July 1929, Page 3

HEALTH NOTES

PRE-SCHOOL CHILD carj; or its health (Contributed by ill,- U.'p'uiiie.'i Health )

"In every work the beginning is tin'! mast important, especially in dealing with anything young and lender," wrote Socrates. There is profound wisdom underlying this observation of the great philosopher, for the health, happiness, and e.liicicuey of jpeii and women depend to a large. iTxtent upon the care and framing .luring early life, and it is during infancy and childhood that those life habits 'are formed which arc responsible for health, character, and personality. Since so much depends upon our knowledge of the fundamental requiremeats of early childhood, it is most necessary that our attention bo drnv.ii to that interesting and important figure the pre-seliool child—i.e., tb (! toddler between Hie age of two and live, years. Though the ml/re urgent claims of the baby of. the fatuity 'detract attention from him, we know that the loddler iias a menial life, as delicate and coin plc.x as his physical body, and that his. luture largely * depends upon the. provision of proper care and .training during this early critical period of Jus existence. MENTAL LIFE A young child lives a life full of hopes] ambitions, doubts,- misgivings, joys, sorrows, and strivings that arc being gratified or thwarted in much the same way at three years of age as they will be at thirty, lie has certain char lucteristics that'make the acquiring of new habits easy; ho is open to suggestion ; he accepts as correct information from a person be looks up to; be wants to please those he loves, and he strives to adjust himself to the numerous and varied changes incidental to the early years of life. The responsibility of' parents is great, and it is to assist them that various agencies have been established—e.g. aiite-uatal clinics, I'lunket, Society, school medical services, etc.. By a systematic supervision beginning during the ante-natal period and continuing throughout infancy and childhood there will be a continuous record of the child's health and development from before birth to adolescence. By cave before birth and during infancy the foundation of a healthy life is laid. Not only are We concerned with the production of a perfect child, however, bill il in our responsibility to provide for him a wholesome environment in those early years which make up the critical period" of growth and development. HEREDITY- AND ENVIRONMENT Heredity and environment together are responsible for the development ol every living being. The practical question* is therefore what may bo done to control both so as to secure the. best results. Whatever qualities a child inherits from his parents may be modified by his surroundings either to his advantage or disadvantage. it is Ins parents who make his environment to a large, extent, and who most powerfully influence his destiny. Their mental ability, their control of their emotions, their'interests, particularly their interest in the child, \their ambitions or lack of them, their moral standards—these all ill some degree determine what the child shall make out of the endowment that Nature has given him. The home is the workshop in which the character and personality are moulded by the formation of habits. It is necessary therelore lo provide for the whole period of childhood those conditions which are most favourable for the perfect development of body and mind. Such fundamental requirements are sunshine and pure air, food and water, warmth and protection, sleep and rest, freedom and exercise. A happy simile and one iff the common lessons of evcry-day experience is that of a plant which grows strong and vigorous and produces a wealth of bloom and fruit, when the soil, water, and sunshine are adapted to its requirements. When the conditions are unfavourable, it will grow spindly and weak and produce few of stunted blossoms and fruit. Sunshine, fresh air, and nourishing food are equally essential lo tin: human plant. In short, we put our trust in the big four-Sun, Air, Eocdj and Habits the fundamental requirements nt' healthy childhood. the. Department of'llcullh is striving to reduce diseases not only by sauitn ' t.iou. by a clean milk supple, by the re moval ill conditions which facilitate the breeding of disease, but also by the instruction of mothers in the primary essentials of hygienic living. <'iie great purpose of the New Zealand ante-natal clinics, the infant welfare centre!- and school medical service, is to increase popular knowledge along these lines. Parents should avail themselves of these opportunities on behalf of their children. J( is a well-known tact that good mothers do not necessarily come into the world ready made, and that the instinct, of motherhood is not of itself a sufficient equipment for the satisfactory nurture and upbringing of a family.' Even, the amazing power of self-sacri-fice for which mothers are proverbial cannot a.-!, as a substitute for knowledge and training in the essentials of mothercraft. INFECTIOUS DISEASES The modern kindergarten does much valuable work in the interest of the pre-sehool child. In the environment thus provided he lives a life of joyous activity where healthy illteiest is quickened and energy wisely directed, and where also, his' hotly is subjected to a wholesome regime of work and rest, and play. Modern psychologists lay increasing value upon inculcation of right habits of living cud of action at all early age. In the kindergarten school, therefore, as in the homo, the foundation of the child's education is laid. A harmful doctrine held by many mothers is that all children must have ihe common infectious diseases, and therefore miiv as well be exposed lo infection in 'order to have them over while voting. This idea is quite erroneous, since aiiv illness, however brie I mid slight, is a" hindrance to growth, and may mean permanent impairment, to Fcme'organ or function of the body. It is obvious that treatment and care during early life is our first line ol defence against disease and suffering. • The preschool child is one of -New Zealand's greatest assets. The proleeLion i f the health of the pre-sehool child ~. ihe sacred trust and July of every parent. Parents should avail themselves i>[ lb,, opportunities afforded by the IV. pavtmenl of Health and other -agencie:: lor sai'emiarding the health and happiness r.i this important section of the community. Manv young lives will be saved and much" sickness avcrid. ; J by this co-operation.