The Growing Child

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 5, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 33

The Growing Child

i Some 'Thoughts Tn most of the civilised countries -*- to-day, the care of the child is attracting much attention. It is coming to be recognised the world over that children are the nation's most valuable asset; for on their inherent possibilities and their development the future of the country depends. The quality of the future citizens depends on what we do for the children now. The guiding of the children in the proper direction is a subject which needs much study. Many minds and much thought, and the close attention of all the Welfare Societies have combined in the formation of this new Child Welfare Act, which came into force on April 1 of this year. Information was sought of what was being done

in this matter in other countries, and after much patient and prolonged study there is in being this new Act, which should tend to make our country a much better and safer place for its children. Many new features are suggested, Big institutions where large numhers of indigent or delinquent children committed to the State were congregated are now a thing of the past. Instead of these institutional homes, foster homes are sought, where the child may live an ordinary happy life and go to school enjoying all the advantages that are possessed by children who live in a normal home with their parents. Much kindly care and tactful supervision is given to these

children by officers of the Welfare department. Some of the children come from large families of poor working parents, others come from more affluent homes, where over-indul-gence has had its part in the faulty structure of a child's life: others again have come from homes where parents are indifferent or dissolute, while there are other unfortunate children who have never known the love of parents, and have been cared for by welldisposed people (often poor relations) who could ill afford the extra burden cast upon them. Special schools are provided for the problem child — who because of his delinquency or of his natural tendencies requires special treatment. The schools have met with

marked success. Many worthy citizens in the future ' will owe their chance in life to the care and attention here provided. It is recognized that while children differ among themselves, both by nature and nurture, there are comparatively few who cannot be made into more or less useful members of society if rightly understood and rightly managed. There arc a few case's that are found to require more severe and strict measures; these are committed to the special schools, where their energy will be used towards constructive ends. This is done by intense handiwork, organized play and the teaching of the simpler trades,

Anew feature of this Act is the establishment of Children's Courts. These special Courts are to be held at a building quite apart from the Criminal Courts. A child who has committed some youthful peccadillo will not have the stigma of being a little criminal placed upon him, but he will be subjected to the treatment that his case merits. The Court as it is now constituted shall consist of a Stipendiary Magistrate, and one or more Associates. The duties of an Associate will be to confer with the Magistrate on the decision to be arrived at, on cases brought before the Court, and to make, when possible, previous investigation of the circumstances surrounding the case, and to act as Child Advocate. As a rule, full information of the family history, environment, conduct, and school record will be placed before the Associate before the case comes

under notice of the Court. Unfortunate children who have been deprived of their birthright— good home and loving parentsare very seriously handicapped at a time when they most need careful guidance. Many such children come before the Children's Court, and it becomes the onerous duty of this Court to do its best to rectify these serious faults. Such children are generally sent to either Boys' Homes or Girls' Homes. These homes are purely clearing houses, where the children are observed and classified according to temperament and mental ability. They are then placed in suitable private homes or special schools. It is a question which society should ask itself: In what proportion is it to blame for the conditions under which these children default? In minor cases it may be only the urge within a child to "Go! Do And for want of proper direction, and a lack of parental control, he does the wrong thing. Poor housing conditions, no doubt, contribute largely to juvenile delinquency. Want of space, lack of

privacy, no means of recreation, drive the children on to the streets to learn the evil that is present there. The conditions of home life are the greatest factor in the quality of the child. Great effort should be made to provide better houses, and so bring about brighter and happier conditions in the home life. Again, the boisterous activity which so often leads a child astray, is a gift of nature to every normal child —a force that is within him, so that he may build himself up. It is the urge within to grow and to develop. Though children have this urge to do things, they need direction, else the activity will go into wrong channels and the child astray. The State makes elaborate provision for part of his time, through the educational system, so that every child may benefit and be taught for a certain number of hours a day, but for the leisure time, when he is not

under control, little or no provision is made for his guidance. He is free to make or to mar his own career. Voluntary organisations endeavour to fill this lack. Many more helpers are needed before the great numbers of children who are roaming about can be provided for. Play is as essential for the building up of a child and is as important as the right to go to school. Games also provide a means of healthy activity and an outlet for pent-up animal spirits. If a child plays games he will not so readily get into mischief. He will learn to obey through games the rules of society. It is when a child is at leisure and may do as he pleases that the course of his life is largely determined. Suitable and ample means of recreation must be provided if we are to protect our growing girls and boys from the streets. To so guard and train these young children of the nation as to put a stop to wastage of young life. We cannot be too jealous for each childish personality—for its safety, its growth, its happiness. According to our sowing now, will be the future reaping.