THE MENTAL ILLS OF CHILDREN

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 24

THE MENTAL ILLS OF CHILDREN

AVe are being constantly reminded that the restless, fidgety child needs hobbling and manacling. Does he? See what he will do when you set him to a task that he likes best, with the assurance that he will do it well. . . In 90 out of 100 cases he will apply himself assiduously, at peace, and proud of your faith in him. Vitality is a precious asset when rightly directed. The shy child is the exception rather than the rule in 1938. At root his trouble is the inferiority complex, and he is forced back into his shell whenever noticed. It is the bounden duty of those to whom he is dear to bring him out of that. For this is a distressing complaint, and if he is not cured in his youth, in adult life he will become chronically introspective—a burden to himself and a trial to all whom he may contact. THE DOMINEERING CHILD. The domineering child is his antithesis. He is indeed a tough problem, with his swelled head and dictator ways. And, as such, he needs to be met with firmness and courage; for he must be made to realise that he is just one in a “ team,” with his brothers and sisters and companions as his mates, and that he owes it to them all to “play fair,” Brotherliness,_ or the “ social sense,” should be impressed upon every child. Then the child of many fears? (Today we sugar-coat the pill and name them “phobias.”) Fear is the centre lion in the den, and is responsible for more troubles than ' all the other beasts put together. And oft enough the tormented child is blamed for cowardice, when the truth is that, at heart, he is a little hero, putting up a big. fight against this insidious foe. His treatment entails immeasurable patience and kindly understanding. His fears must be brought to the surface and shown to be groundless, and therefore powerless to do him any harm. ROCKS OF INEXPERIENCE. And so we come back every time to the slogan of our children’s courts—- “ not what the child has done, but what . can be done for l the child.” Youth bruises itself upon the sharp rocks of inexperience; and, because of the scars that the older ones of _us carry, we should guard and shield our hoys and girls from similar buffetings, with patience, wisdom, and understanding.