THE PLUNKET SYSTEM

Shannon News, 2 November 1926, Page 2

THE PLUNKET SYSTEM

TRAINING THE LITTLE ONE. (Notes by Hygeia). Last week we dealt with the very great importance of training , right habits in infancy and early childhood, and gave some practical hints on training in food habits in particular. This week we touch on a few points in connection with the development and training of the toddler in other directions. Independence. The impulse towards independence, | which manifests itself in almost all children sooner or later, is one which 1 should be wisely encouraged and fostered. The urge to "do it myself" is the natural outcome of the desire to learn a —to experience,—by which the child enlarges his field of activity, perceptions, and emotions. Let the toddler dress himself at least in part as soon as he manifests a desire to do so—even if it is very much quicked to do it oneself, —just tactfully helping to adjust tangles in tapes and discrepancies between buttons and holes. It is sensible to have as many as possible of the garments doing up in front at this stage. Let him feed himself with part of each meal; spreading the largest-sized feeder well out and taking no notice of spills and accidents in the early stages of the" experiment. Of course, if is necessary to protect and guard the child against injury in his thirst for knowledge, his consuming desire'to "see the'wheels go round;" but the constant, -.vigilant over-sight of the wise mother is 1 unobtrusive, out of sight except when called upon. v Indeed, it may even be wise to allow the toddler to hurt himself a little now and then that he jnay learn from experience whfvt he has refused to accept from verbal prohibitions, that to touch certain forbidden objects means pain. ' Toys.. -

• Let the spirit of independence. have ample exercise in the games and toys of the toddler. Simple' toys are best. Building is a pastime which seldom palls, and every chiid should have a box of bricks. These need not be expensive articles bought in a »hop; any carpenter or builder will supply a large ' assortment of wooden blocks of various rectangular shapes and sizes for a small, sum, and they can be kept in a butter box or a packing case. Empty cotton reels and spools, smooth, empty tins, a bottle or two, some large- marbles and a few, pegs will keep the toddler busy for many happy hours, with a beloved dolly and a disreputable old bear to share the fun. With such toys opportunity for self-expression and creation is provided, and each child'will find the outlet for his individual bent in inventing games with these simple "materials. One will constantly build up shaky towers, another will everlastingly "Puff! Puff!" while he labouriously pushes a block or two along real or*, imaginary lines on hte floor. Costly mechanical toys, elaborately-dressed dolls, are quickly east aside and forgotten for home-made playthings, largely because, they leave little to the, imagination—they do not. satisfy the instinct to create. A sand pile in the garden is an endless source of outdoor joy, and can be provided in quite/a small town section. It is well to .cover it with a waterproof ' sheet in : wet weataher, and to turn the sand over frequently, allowing the sun to get at all parts, so keeping it fresh and sweet. A small bucket and spade, and various odds and ends beloved of the owner belong to the sand pile. Helping Mother. The wish to help should be carefully fostered and developed, and directed '" into right channels—hard as it often is to spare the time to'be hindered by this form of "help." -But now is the happy moment, the golden opportunity to train and develop the spirit of helpfulness. If tlnj child is snubbed and his offers set aside now, how can he be blamed for later disinclination towards the "jobs" he is then expected joyfully fo perform. Rest and Sleep. ! The toddler needs to spend jan average of about 14 hours out of every 24 in sleep. He is so tremendously active during his walking hours that sufficient time must be assured in his daily programme for rest and recuperation of his whole body, including the brain and nervous system. Most healthy.,.welltrained children will sleep the clock round at night —say from 6 to 6; —and about two hours' sleep in the daytime should be the rule. The habit of the daytime sleep should be most carefully preserved, as, once broken, it may be very difficult to re-establish. Sir Trubv King says: "It is well to continue the morning sleep or rest*until the child is five, or six years old, especially in summer, when children wake early This can easily be accomplished with* a little firmness on the mother's part. A short sleep or rest restores a child wonderfully, and the result is that there is no crossness or fatigue at' the end of the day." So necessary is sufficient rest and sleep for the rapidly-growing body and brain that many a toddler who is failing to thrive and gain in weight in spite of adequate food and reasonable habits will start to improve in condition and put on weight;'if extra rest and sleep is insisted upon, without any other change being made in the daily programme.