The Children at the Seaside

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 73

The Children at the Seaside

days arc glorious days for children. For during the holidays not only is school routine forgotten, but home routine is, to a certain extent, suspended, a fact which appeals a great deal to boys and girls of all ages. Nevertheless during the holidays it is unwise to allow the children to run about without any kind of supervision, as many parents do. If not watched very carefully, for instance, elder children may stay too long in the water when bathing; the younger ones may paddle exposed to a fierce sunshine without any kind of head-covering. Cases of sickness, and even at times sunstroke, are often caused in this way. We do not believe in letting the tiny ones go hatless on the beach, even when they are not paddling. Some

sort of head covering is always necessary for boys as well as for girls on very hot days. Sea-Bathing Most children delight in sea-bath-ing, but very often it will be found difficult to induce a four or five-year-old boy or girl to go into the sea for the first time. In these circumstances the child should not be forced, but should be gradually coaxed and led in bit by bit, until at last he realises that sea-bathing is a delightful and not a terrifying experience. Children are great imitators, and as a rule the younger members of a family of boys and girls will take to the sea quite easily. because their big brothers and sisters bathe; but there are some

highly-strung nervous children who have to be reckoned with, and it is a mistake to just plunge them into the water in spite of their protests: A great deal of harm can be done in this way. Children’s bathing costumes should be simple, but colourful and pretty. Stockinette is an ideal medium and can be had in many bright colours. Navy blue piped with scarlet, or all scarlet swimming suits look well on children, who simply love their bathing suits to be embroidered in some pretty design. Waders are essential for the small child who can only just toddle, for they protect his garments while he is crawling about on the beach. The children should not be allowed to wander about the beach in their wet bathing suits when they come out of the water, although some parents believe this is a valuable hardening process. It is never wise to let a child remain too long in the sea, and it is a good idea to give

her a glass of warm milk after she has dressed again. The best time for bathing is midway between breakfast and lunch, not directly after breakfast, for it is well known one should never have a sea-bath after a meal. Some parents let their children bathe again in the afternoon in very warm weather, but the morning bathe should be quite sufficient.