SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17435, 23 March 1917, Page 9

SCHOOL CHILDREN.

■-—■*> —- ADYICE ON THEIR'TRAINING. ADDRESS BY DR ELEANOR RAKER, j " No other country in the world can boast the children that New Zealand can," said Dr Eleanor Baker, medical inspector of schools, in an address to the School Committees' Association last night, "but they are. not perfect, Their heredity and environment are excellent, and there are no extremes of" poverty and wealth in the country. There is 'no reason why New Zealand should not develop a splendid race."

Dr Baker added' that it was neeessarv to look after the children not only when at school but after they had leftit, with proper training and attention in the home. The Plunket nurses had done invaluable work. The value of fresh air was not sufficiently appreciated, and it was important to develop the open-air schools, and also to develop the habit at home, where sleeping with open windows should lie encouraged. Children would profit by cold morning baths, and should not be overclothed. It was absurd for boys to drill in their coats, and as for girls Bhe looked forward to tho day when they' would wear more simple clothing with blouse, skirt and a single, undergarment of tho same material as the skirt.. There was an urgent need for simplicity, and she confessed that the sight of young girls. on the beach in bathing costumes was a pleasant one. In tho case of the boy, while there should be no suspicion of overwork, she believed in Scott's last request to Lady Scott, "make him a strenuous man." Dr Baker, who was frequently applauded and very attentively listened to, answered a number of questions, and was accorded a vote of thanks.