Feilding Community Centre

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 110, 10 May 1941, Page 3

Feilding Community Centre

OHILD STUDY HABITS (By Mrs. H. C. D. Somerset.) Sleep Sleep is one of the most important factor in the development of the child as this is the only time when the body and mind has complete rest. Every child needs regular hours of sleep, the number of hours being determined by the ago of the child e.g. one year old requires about 14 hours' sleep while an 6 year old may only sleep 10 hours. It is very desirable that children, during the pre-school years have a regular daytime sleep. As the child gets older this day-time sleep may be gradually lessened and the child will only require a sleep ono day in every three or four. 81eep should always be associated with pleasant thoughts and never make it a punishment for naughtiness. The best time for the daytime sleep is immediately after the mid-day meal. There is less likelihood of rebellion if the child is prepared for rest before tho meal than if he is brought in straight from an exciting game and expected to settle down to sleep. Hometimes, however, sleep after activity is necessary.

Early Bed-Time Children should not be kept up to see their father when he returns from work. The child is often tired and this leads to irritation and jaded nerves and conflicts between parents on account of the children.

Children should go to bed happy and not overstimulated by radio or adult conversation. Overstimulation shows in

disturbed sleep and talking in sleep. "Warn the child five minutes before bed time that it is nearly bed time and see that he has heard ycu. Very often he is so interested in his own game that he pays no attention and actually has not heard at all. As soon as the child is old enough to watch the hands of the clock, this method may be used to determine bedtime.

Explain how the clock tells even grown ups when it is time for bed. There is something impersonal and Telentless about time that appeals even to children.

Once the child is in bed and is comfortable the mother should not return to the bedroom in spile of calls or tears. Tho room should be darkened and quiet. The family, however, should never acquire the habit of sh-sb-ing because “oaby is asleep.” The child should be accustomed to sleeping under ordinary conditions cnly protected from loud and sudden noises as far as possible. The habit of staying by the bed until the child is asleep is fortunately not so general now ».> it used to be. At some time this habit will have to be broken causing acute distress to the child. We should never allow a child to learn a bad habit which must be unlearned later. It encourages dependence on the mother and at the same time gives the child a chance to use his weapon to dominate her-—tears! If children have been active during the day they should not need to romp before bed. Stories or music should be the rule—but not for too long a period. Careful choice of children’s stories is necessary. Many wonderful children's books, mostly American, have been written, which give a wonderful opportunity for the child and parent to have a common interest. The story hour can become the most treasured hour of the day to the children and be enjoyed by the parents also. If possible the child should have a Toom of his own. If this is not possible he should have a house in the garden. The value of a strict routine in the home is recognised everywhere. School children need to be away at a stated time without anxiety as to being late. Give the child responsibility as soon as he is ready for it and let him work in with the family without strain and turmoil. The adult must show calm determination, never anger or impatience. Once the adult lose control i.e. loses her emotional balance, the child makes the most of his power to resist.

Never refer to a child's difficulties in front of the child. It gives him an added importance and a certain feeling of being unique. Ignore the bad habit and control any emotional response to

undesirable behaviour. This is the policy that lias been tested and found jto give the most satisfactory results, e.g. Child who runs back from bed. Mother should, without any display of anger or emotion, calmly take the child back to his bedroom and put him back to bed.