The Washington times., 1922-07-02
INTERNAL vigilance is the
price Of liberty from set
~ hacks, There is no reason

JA backs. There is no reason
whatever why the splendid work
In hygiene that has been started
during the school year. and now
been pushed into the pre-schooi
period. should be allowed to run
to seed" during the vacation.
On the contrary. summer is the
time Of most rapid growth for all
young animals, human or other
wise. as well as vegetables, and
the utmost advantage should be
taken Of the fact. Not only for
general development. but for build.
ing up weak points that have been
detected previously.
We've all got 'em. No careful.
thorough physical examination yet
has ever discovered less than two
slight but definite physical defects
per child. and usually from three
to five.
And in all classes Of society. TOO.
SCHOOL CRUSADE.
A most admirable campaign for
health has recently been carried
out in the grade schools Of the
country. under such alluring
names as leagues and crusades.
with their orders. stars. ETC..
whereby compliance with certain
rules Of hygiene can be "cashed
In" for various resounding titles.
ranks and badges. that have been
the delight of children OF all ages
for ages past.
These excellent systems should
be run right through the year.
Achievements during the summer
might be allowed to ePunt a.
school credits of importahce. and.
instead Of ground being lost dur
ing tho vacation. there could be
very decided gains.
And the health habits. instead
of being temporary and official
only, could be made continuous
and eventually instructive.
One reason for the well-deserved
success of this movement Is that
It is founded on one Of the great
principles Of Psychology. the gang
competitive spirit.
"Everybody's doing IT," Is
slogan a. well AZ q song.
II all the children in one play
group 20 to bed At the same hour.
Il will not be 10 much regarded as
q hardship a. II some were called
In before the others In the eve
ming.
II there IL rivalry al to the
number Of new kinds OF vegetables
that they have learned to eat.
their diet will begin to sprout out
In all directions like a squash vine
in July.
GROUP ACTION NEEDED.
Almost anything that is done
by "the whole gang" especially II
some reward is in prospect, will lie
carried out with whoops Of en-
thusiasm.
But there 10 another important
point: Everything must be car
Red out not only by the whole
group. but as q new form Of game.
Once let the biightins pail Of IT'S
good for you; and you must do It,
settle down upon the scene and
all IL lost.
Once let our small future citi-
zens get the idea that this is
their ancient enemy. home work.
creeping up on them in disguise.
to haunt them all vacation time,
and their eager enthusiasm will
curdIe and sour and they will fair
ly 60 out Of their way to avoid
It.
One of the first habits that
needs to be insisted upon in chill
dren Of all ages and classes 10
abundance Of sleep.
II Is astonishing how many
people fail to realize that the cease
less activities Of a child can wear
him out just as completely as the
more purposeful and remunerative
labors Of an adult.
Moreover, his hours OF necessary
rest must not be measured in the
least by adult standards.
A child of four. for instance.
needs twelve hours Of sleep each
day, a child of ten requires at least
ten, and It II not until the age Of
sixteen Is reached that tho normal
adult minimum Of eight hours IL
adequate.
SLEEP FOR GROWTH.
Many. many Of our cases Of
underweight. Of poor or fftful
appetite. OF nervousness and fret.
fuiness. always restless and on
the 70, but easily tired. are simply
due to too short hours Of actual
sleep.
Get them to bed in good time,
keen them there until they've had