OUR BABIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4785, 5 February 1918, Page 6

OUR BABIES.

(BY HYGEIA). "It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom." Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, HEALTH LESSONS FOR CHILDREN. We are so often asked for some indication of what can be taught to children with regard, to the main requirements for health that we think it wil] be a help to parents and teachers if we publish in this column the simple lessons which the Central Council issued’ during the recent Baby Week. It was hoped: by the Council that the brief lesson for each day would be gone over in every school in the Dominion ; but, unfortunately, there was not sufficient time for printing and distribution. We are quite sure that parents would find their hoys and girls very much interested, and wo hope that a large number of our readers will go over these ' simple lessons with their children. If alt boys an<j: girls were to understand and practise what is taught, the rising generation wouldtend to be more liealtliy an efficient, and we recommend parents to cut these articles out and to go-over them again and again til ltlie children know them by heart and by practice. ‘ FIRST LESSON. A short time ago a week was set apart as Dominion Baby Week. During Baby Week everybody in New Zealand was supposed to take a special interest in babies—school children as well as grown-ups. Babies are tlie. most wonderful, the most sacred, and the most valuable treasures in the world. Without them the world would stop— the human race would die out. Therefore we should all help to take good care> of our babies. Many babies die who ought to live, and many grow up weak and delicate who ought to be strong and well, simply because those who are entrusted with their care do no know how to look after them. _ Babies don’t die or grow up weak because people are intentionally cruel and unkind, but because they do not know wliat is needed to keep babies well. CLEANLINESS. A most important thing in tlie care of the baby is cleanliness. Dirt and ignorance are the babies’ worst enemies. If you want to help the babies you must be clean and! tidy. You should also see that your surroundings are fresh and clean. Never throw away paper or fruitskins or rubbish of any kind in the play ground or °n the streets. Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place. Always wash your hands and clean your nails before touching the baby or its foodTHE MAIN THINGS NEEDED FOR ' GOOD HEALTH. Now I shall tell you the five chief things which are needed for good health for school children, and good health for grown-ups. Their names begin with the first five letters of the alphabet. There is one for each finger on one hand. (Get the children to repeat them, marking off each on a finger) : A. AIR-—Breathe pure, fresh, clean cool air by day and night. B. Bathing.—Plenty of water for cleanliness. C. CLOTHING.—Loose, light,-com-fortable clothing—neither too much nor too little. D. food. Plain simple food taken at regular intervals. Solid food must be thoroughly chewed. Water should be taken after a meal not with it. E. EXERCISE AND REST.—A large amount of exercise in the open air and sunshine is necessary for good health. Boys and girls, as well as babies, need rest and plenty of sound sleep.