OUR BABIES

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16036, 22 January 1918, Page 8

OUR BABIES

BY HYGEIA.

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children. "It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” HEALTH LESSONS FOR CHILDREN We,are so often asked for some indication of what can be 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 the simple lessons which the Central Council issued during the recent Baby Week. It was hoped by the Council that the brief lesson for each day would be gone Over in every school in the Dominion; but, unfortunately, there was not sufficient time for printing and distribution. We are quite sure that parents would find their boys and girls very much interested, and we, hope that a "large number of our readers will go over these simple lessons with their children. If all boys and girls were to understand and practise what is taught, the rising generation would tend to he niore healthy and efficient; and we recommend parents to cut these articles out and to go over them again and again till the children know them by heart and by practice. FIRST LESSON.

A short time ago a week was set apart as Dominion Baby Week. During Baby Week everybody in New Zealand was supposed to take-a. special interest in babies —school children as well as grownups. ‘ . Babies are the most wonderful, the most sacred, and the most valuable treasures in the world.. Without them the world would stop—the human race would die out. Therefore we shall all help to take good care of our babies; Many babies die who ought to live, and many grow up weak and delicate who ought to be strong and well, simply because those- who are entrusted with their care do not know how to look after them. ■ - Babies don’t die or grow up weak because people are intentionally' cruel and unkind, but because they do not know what is needed to keep babies well If you-learn what is needed for good health, and if.you try to make and keep yourselves well and strong, you, too, can help to save the babies from' death and disease.' CLEANLINESS. ‘ A most important thing in the care of the baby is cleanliness. ‘ Dirt and ignorance are the babies’ worst enemies. If you want to help the babies you must try to be clean and tidy.. You should also see that your surroundings are fresh and clean. Never throw away papers or fruitskins or rubbish of any kind in the playground or on the streets. Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place. Always wash your hands and clean your nails before, touching the baby or its food. . .. THE MAIN THINGS NEEDED FOR GOOD HEALTH. Now I shall tell you the five chief things which arc needed for good health-good health for babies, good health for school children, and good health for grown-ups. Their names begin with the first five

letters of the alphabet. There one for each finger on one hand. (Get'Hie children to' repeat them, marking off each on a finger.) : (a) Air.—Breathe pure, fresh, clean, cool air by day and night. (b) Bathing.—Plenty of water for cleanliness. (c) Clothing.—Loose, light, comfortable clothing l —neither too much nor too little. _ : (d) Diet. —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 Pest.—A large amount of exorcise in the open air and sunshine is necessary for good hoaltlp Boys and girls, as well as babies, heed rest and plenty of sound sleep.