OUR BABIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 52

OUR BABIES.

By Hyoeia

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society tor the Health ot Women and Children.

"It is wiser to put up a lenee at the top ol a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom."

HEALTH LESSONS FOR CHILDREN. Wo are so often asked for somo indication of what can bo taught to children with regard to the main requirements for health that we think it will be .a help to parents and teachers if we publish in this column tho simple lessons which the Central-Coun-cil issued during the recent Baby Week. Id was hoped by tho Council that the brief lesson for each day would bo gone over in every school in the Dominion; but, unfortunately, there was not sufficient time for printing and distribution. Wo are quite sure that parents would find their boys and girls very much interested, and we hope that a largo number o£ our readers will go over these simple lessons with their children. If all boys and girls were to understand and p.ractiso what is taught, the rising generation would' tend to be more healthy and efficient, .and wo recommend parents to cut these articles out and to go over them again and again till tho children know them by heart and by practice. FIRST LESSON. A short time ago a week was set apart as Dominion Baby Week. During BabyWeek everybody in Now Zealand was supposed to toko a special interest in babies—school children as well as grown-ups. Babies are the most wonderful, the most sacred, and the most valuable treasures in the world. Without them tho world would stop—the human race would dio out. Therefore we should all help to take good care of our babies. Many babies dio who ought to live, and many grow up weak and delica'to who ought to be strong and well, simply bocause those who arc entrusted with thair care do not know how. to jfior them. Babies don't dio or grow up weak booauso people .-.ro intentionally cru6l and unkind, but becauso thev c\o not know what is needed to keep babies well. If you learn what is needed for good hoalth, and If you try to make and keep yourselves well and strong, you. too, can holp to savo tho babies from 3eath and aiaeseo. CtRANUNESfi,. A moat injpor tan t thing in the ca,ro of tbi» baby is plennlinesa. Dirt and ignorano® ara the babies' worst enemies. If you want to h*ii? iris* babies yon must try" to bo de&n an§ tidy. 'scow afcsila also sea

that your surroundings are fresh' and clean. Never throw away papers or fruitskins or rubbish of any kind in the playground or on tho streets. Have a place for everything, and put everything sin its place. Always wash your hands and clean your nails before touching the baby or its food.

THE MAIN THINGS NEEDED FOE GOOD HEALTH.

Now I shall tell you the five chief things which are needed ' for good health—good hoalth for babies, good health for school children, and good health for grown-ups. Their names begin with the first five letters of tho alphabet. There is one for each finger on one hand. (Get the children to repeat them, marking off each on a finger) : A Alß.—Breathe pure, fresh, clean, cool air by day and night. B. BATHING.—PIenty of water for cleanliness. _

C. CLOTHING.—Loose, light, comfortable clothing—neither too much nor too little.

D. DlET.—Proper 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.