HEALTH NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 June 1927, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES.

BACKWARD CHILDREN.

ADVICE TO PARENTS

(Contributed by the Department of

Health.)

A feu- children are sooner or later recognised by their parents as being slower in mental development than others. When compared' to their normal brothers and sisters, their progress as infants and children is noticeably retarded; they are slow in recognising sights and sounds ; in sitting up, in crawling and walking; they do not attempt the activities of a normal infant, but seem content to be in a state of lethargy. In some eases such children with careful training may “catch up” on their more rapidly blossoming brothers and sisters, but often their lack of development' persists and their intelligence even m adult life remains much the same as that of a child.

The stage to which these children can advance depends to some extent upon their early training. It- is important that they should receive all possible education at school, but it is still more important that they should be given such home training as will fit them to become successful members of the community. For this purpose 1 they must be taught not only to care for themselves and their own requirements. luit also they must learn that the other people with whom they conic in contact have certain rights which must receive consideration. This essential part of the training of any child naturally falls upon the mother. The greater neccssitv for such training of these backward children is only equalled by tbo infinitely greater difficulty with which they are taught. Perseverance and patience on the part of the mother are necessary from the earliest years.

PARENTS’ INFLUENCE

To parents who are willing to expend the extra time and trouble some suggestions may be of value. Firstly, make sure that all physical defects are treated. A child that is mentally “unfinished” is a.lso more liable to suffer from physical disabilities, poor digestion, constipation, malnutrition —which tend to accentuate the mental backwardness. Therefore constant attention must be given to matters of diet, sleep, fresh air, suitable clothing, regular habits, condition of the teeth, nose, and throat, etc.

Knowing the milestones of a normal infant/ —that is to say, the ages at which it first takes “notice, ’ holds, up its head, walks, talks, etc., the mother should note whether her child seems definitely backward in these respects. Does the baby seem to be lethargic and lacking in initiative — when another of the same age would Ire exploring everything within reach —seeing, feeling tasting? If so, encourage him day .after day in these activities, give him toys to feel and play with, colours to interest him, founds and music to attract his ear.

Now, too, is the time to watch cateiuiiv lor, and to immediately chock. Hie formation of any bad habits, such . s bang.ng the head against the cot, io:kmg backwards and forwards, making peculiar movements or indulging in •„ts, in screaming. A determined eltort m..st be made from the very first to t,am the child in cleanly habits. Ji

.- liincieiiL time and mi tie nee. is expended, lai utre is unnecessary. “Amy tn.ld, ' says a leading authority. ”ex.j.itiiig tne lowest grade imbecile, can le taught to be cleanly.”

As the child grows older, -everything lie is able to do for himself, he niusi te encouraged in—dressing, doing up buttons and ties, washing and brushing. Difficulty arises from the fact that these children are clumsy, forgeti.d. easily distracted, and infinitely slow iu doing the smallest- task. A mother running a household with its multitudinous, d.uties, finds it so much easier to “do the job herself” —to dress the litle one and to sit- him out of the way like a piece of furniture. When she does this- she deprives her cbi'd of most valuable training and elucation. Whatever he can do, he must do, but do not let the task be too hard—so that failure is inevitable.

JUDICIUUS ENCDCRAGEMENT

With perception of and pride in, his duty towards himself—it. is nececsary lor tiie growing child to realise that Caere are others in the would whom it should lie his desire and pleasure to nolp. It he can assist mother in tidying, drying the dishes, dusting, or cringing m nnlk bottles, he will feel tnat he is adding ids small contribution to the happiness of the home. Continuous occupation is needful 1 .. With the simple tasks that they have learned to do well, these children can be busy and occupied, happy to do over and over again work which, a normal chii'id would soon find uninteresting and ii ksonie. Especially useful i.s work involving exercise and control oi the hands, such as knitting, crochet, etc., v\ h.icn, though laboriously learned, prove a great source of occupation ami p leasu re.

The defective speech which so often a companies mental backwardness may bo flue to a variety of causes. Sometimes it is due to lack oi muscular cor—t.ol of the tongue and lips. Encourage the child To use lifv lips in blowing a toy trumpet or whistle. Poetry and the singing of simple tunes, will often nuphove backwardness, of speech. Punishment "ill be found, in most cases to he of little value. A child who is labouring at a task, simple enough, but to him of the greatest difficulty. certainly will not- find that a slaii or a scolding increases his capabikities. Occasionally a sharp word of reproof or a rap on the hand may be useful ospeia.lly in the correction of an incipient had habit —provided the child understands, directly for what he is being punished. Above all. never discuss the child's defects in his hearing. He, will take far more notice of a remark made to a third poison in his presence, than he will of the same remark addressed directly to himself. Once he feels that lie is “different.” that he is expected to be slow, and that failure is a, foregone corn 'elision, he is beaten before the start. Give him tasks that are not to easily performed, so that exertion is mve-sarv • hut not so hard a,s to discourage him. the mother contributing pat'enee judicious encouragement, and praise for a task successfully completed. The difficulties, the had traits, the kick of gor’d habits which in older years are almo-t hopeless to deal with suc(,css full V. arise in the majority of cases from lack of training in the early years. This deficiency, unfortunately, usual'',v occurs not from unkimlness or neglect, hut from misplaced parental solicitude which strives to assist and protect the weak ami handicapped one of the. familv. and instead deprives him of the essentials of bis social training and binders his adaptation to bis future life.