OUR BABIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 203, 29 August 1938, Page 2

OUR BABIES

AN APPEAL TO MOTHERS AND FATHERS.

To-day I appeal to all mothers and fathers who cherish their children and wish to see them grow to healthy manhood and womanhood to consider’ seriously the amount of sleep and rest their children get. Are you building up the habit of sound, unbroken sleep at night, securing a stable nervous system, or are for your own desires, depriving your children of that priceless boon? I fear that many parents thoughtlessly do so, not from lack of love of their children, but from lack of knowledge of the harm that insufficient Sleep and rest can do. The child’s mind is so eager, so receptive to new impressions, his body grows so rapidly that throughout his childhood parents should plan Iris daily routine to provide ample sleep, ample healthy, activity, ample work, and ample play. We are convinced that much of the ill-health found among school children in New Zealand is due directly to insufficient sleep and over stimulation of the nervous system. Last week we wrote about the over stimulation of young babies; to-day we refer to the toddler and the child up to 1-1 years of age. Not only in New Zealand, but in other countries as well, the number of children and young adults who suffer from mental and nervous illness is increasing. Various causes have been blamed, such as the examination system, organised sports, the pace of modern life, as compared to 50 years ago, motion pictures, etc. Parents cannot put back the hands of time, but it is one of their greatest responsibilities to see that, in spite of modern life and its particlar problems, their children receive what is their due in the matter of such fundamentals as rest and sleep. It may entail some sacrifice on their part for some years; they may never beam with pride over cited voices of their children from the radio when they ought to be in bed; they may never beam with prid eover little Johnny and Mary in unsuitable ; clothes in a draughty, cold hall entertaining their friends with dancing, . singing, etc., till 10.30 p.m.; but they would have the satisfaction of knowing that they were doing all in their power to build healthy bodies and minds for their children and their children's children. Consider carefully the question of “going to the pictures.” Think about (1) the air they breathe for two to three hours at a time, stale, vitiated, heated air even in the best ventilated theatres; (2) the sudden change of air when leaving a theatre; (3) the effect of lights, noise and mental stimulation at bedtimes. Remember how difficult you yourself find it to sleep after excitement and strain; (4) the effect of unsuitable subjects so stamped on the mind and memory of impressionable young children and adolescents. As long ago as 1920 Sir Truby King wrote the following in reference to

the effects of motion pictures on young children: “I am in entire accord with the idea of a strict regulation of the attendance of children at picture shows, regulation as to the nature and quality of the pictures that may be presented to them, and reglation of the hours within which they may be allowed to attend. No one questions that the cinematograph affords a valuable means of education, instruction, and recreation, if used fairly and rationally. The presentation of films illustrating travel. ‘ scenery, science, industry, animal and vegetable life, sports, games, and every kind of show and pageant may be made suitable and attractive for all ages, but the depiction of a play or even what goes by the name of history may be utterly unfit for children. “It should always be borne in mind that sexual precocity and sexual irregularity present the greatest difficulties of any civilisation which regards self-control and continence as essential in early life. Every conscientious master or mistress of a school—especially of a boarding school—recognises this as the greatest of their cares and responsibilities. Every physician burdened with the charge of a mental hospital has before him every day the disastrous results of sexual precocity and sexual irregularities. Speaking of the studious boy and girl and the risks they run of shipwreck before fully entering on life, Dr. Savage, the leading authority on insanity in London, said many years ago that every such boy is dangling between Eros and Psyche. It was the knowledge of this that led our foremost teachers to found and establish institutions where the trend of thought and feeling would be diverted from undesirable channels by a full measure of healthy outdoor recreation—bathing, swimming, games and interesting occupations. “The only way to protect the children is to keep them away from picture theatres as long as possible, or to have stringent regulations and special censorship, so as to ensure that no child shall be allowed to attend picture shows which are undesirable and unfit for their age, and that they will be prevented from attending at unsuitable times.” As I said at the beginning, it is not lack of love for the children on the part of the parents that gives rise to physical and moral defects, but Jack of knowledge of the causes. The child's equilibrium is so easily upset and yet so easily maintained that every parent should do his and her utmost to safeguard them.