CHILDISH FEAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20829, 10 September 1937, Page 12

CHILDISH FEAR

AFRAID OF THE DARK Some very highly-strung children suffer terribly from bad dreams, nightmares, and fears that occur only at night, states an overseas writer. Such children need very careful and sympathetic treatment. They must never be laughed at or scolded. The cause of their fears is often a deep one. and generally very difficult to d'scover, but if it is not brought to light and cured, it may lead to serious trouble when they are older. Most nervous disorders that affect adults in middle age e due to neglected or repressed childish fears. Very often it is an only child that suffers in this way, and the cure is to let him or her play with jolly companions. Plenty of play, cheerful surroundings, an rburdance of sunlight, and fresh air and light nourishing food will often result in a wonderful improvement. Excitement and sensational books and films should be avoided. A child should go early to bed, having had its last meal—a light one—at least an hour previously. A warm bath, a nightlight in the room, a woolly toy to take to bed are all helpful in inducing sound and peaceful sleep. Sometimes the addition of glucose D to the ordinary diet works wonders, for it has been proved that the highlynervous child generally suffers from a deficiency of sugar, and the addition of this preparation ensures that the child receives it in a pure and nourishing form.