Building Strong Children

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 6, 21 August 1931, Page 29

Building Strong Children

ee HAT an excellent thing if all aur mothers were listening to Dr.

Wilkie from 1YA last week! That would be asking the impossible, but f hope those who did hear the many valuable tips will not hesitate to pass them on. While the professional note of authority was pleasantly apparent in the timbre of the speaker’s voice, still it was not overdone, At no stage did she talk "over the heads" of her possible listeners. On the contrary, her hints. tips and instructions were couched in plain matter-of-fact English and were presented in such manner as to dispel the possibility of any question as to authority. It was not the first of her talks on the upbringing of children; for this instalment Dr. Wilkie dealt with that most important stage of a child’s life. which ranges between ten and fourteen years, While influences tend to mould the child right from birth-in fact, before birth-yet the period under discussion is of the most vital importance. The child is father to the man, says the old adage, and habits acquired during boy or girlhood have the tendency to remain. Encourage clean healthy habits, therefore; personal hygiene is tremendously important, and I was pleased to hear the Doctor lay emphasis on the importance of close at tention to the ears, nose and __ teeth, While each or all of these different organs may cause trouble, the last two, if neglected, may result in very serious illness. ; A final word as to sleep. Someone who probably suffered from insomnia invented the saying "Seven for a man, eight for a woman, and nine for child or fool." For my part. I cheerfully

admit a fondness tor nine fours siecep and would accept such gratefully on most nights were it not a practical impossibility, Realising the innuendo to which I have exposed myself, I am glad to hear that Dr. Wilkie believes in plenty of good sleep. The child, says she, ought to have at least eleven or twelve hours undisturbed slumber in as much fresh air as possible-the verandah for preference. Qn that basis the rest of us become entitled to at least nine hours sleep each night, Personally, I’m all for it, ,