HELPFUL ADDRESS ON CHILDREN

Southland Times, Issue 23541, 22 June 1938, Page 7

HELPFUL ADDRESS ON CHILDREN

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS MEETING A helpful talk on children, primary school children in particular, was given by Dr A. T. McCaw at a meeting ot the League of Mothers. There was a good attendance, ana the president, Mrs W. A Edwards, was in the chair. Solos were sung by Mrs Bailey. . Dr McCaw spoke of the sturdy child, who should have good average growth, good muscle tone, circulation and skin. “To be sturdy a child should have plenty of good food; clothing that was not too tight; balanced activity, rest, play and sleep and avoidance of mental and physical overstrain. Milk, butter, fruit, green vegetables and eggs ar,e the most suitable foods and should be varied with breadstuffs. meat and foods from the sun and sea.” The correct clothing should not be excessive, specially if the child was exercising. The skin was an important regulator in the body functions, and it lost its protective value if the child was over-clothed.

Balanced activity was very important. A child’s own inclinations were the best guide, but with the present conditions of long hours in schools and the competitive element in both mental and physical training a sensitive child could easily be pushed into an unbalanced devotion to one or the other form of development, resulting in ill health. “If mental and physical Test and activity are not balanced one against the other in the daily periods individual reaction will set in and nature will settle the balance in later years.” ' In conclusion Dr McCaw- spoke of the child who was not quite as study or normal as the average child, and of the care which should be. taken to regulate the life of nervous highly-strung children. He also mentioned the glands of the body and their functions.. \On the motion of the president a vote of thanks to Dr McCaw was passed.