The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-10
Contacts in
Early Days
Important
BY HELEN WELSHEIMER
NEA Service Writer

NEW YORK. Sept. 10.-Whoeyer
said that we're never too old to
learn appears to have made a mis-
take.
Sometimes. after the age OF 6
months. the time limit is passed
Mary already may have become a
wallfower and Johnny never may
learn not to be afraid to fight the
bows in the alley after school!
And it won't be Johnny and
Mary's fault. The blame Is on the
shoulders of their parents who neg
lected their social life when they
we're 6 and 7 and months old.
DR.. Charlotte BUTLER, professor OF
child psychology at the University
of Vienna, has been studying al
the stages of infaacy for years and
wears. Hundreds of infants and
older children are brought to her
laboratory every year.
Drafts Rules for Parents
And now she has prepared
guiding set Of rules for parents,
which tell how you may decide II
your child is normal, and also how
YOU may keep him that way.
Mrs. Pearl Greenberg, a student
of DR.. Buhler, who assisted IN the
translation of her recent pooK'
.'The First Year of Life" is familiar
with the noted psychologists views.
"A child must have relations with
others, although he Is only lew
wears old" Mrs. Greelberg says.
IF he doesn't, he will develop shy
ness. If he is going to be comfort
able with other children, lie has TO
NAV with them from the very be-
ginning"
When Mary and Johnny have
their first birthday parties they
aren't supposed to hide behind the
door. Social contact will be an
old story by then.
Teach Him to Talk
Don't leave your baby lying in
its crib and breathe a sigh Of relief
because he requires so little atten-
ton. You'll be sorry if you do, per-
haps. when you try to teach him
the meaning of the family language.
If a child isn't talked to, he
doesn't get the proper vowel
sounds. 1t will be more difficult
for him to learn to speak than it
would have been if he had received
conversational t tention," Mrs.
Hree1berp EXPLAINED.
Also, watch the toys you give
your child.
First toys should be simple, ="
the child psychologist has learned.
They must be the type that can
be handled easily. They should
be bright and attractive in color.
A variety should be used. How
ever, an infant should not be over
stimulated by being given too
many toys at one time"
Observe Them Closely
1t is no longer necessary to wait
until child goes to school to know
if he is capable of learning his
ABC's and locating Madrid and Pc
king on the map.
A few simple rules of observation
will tell you if he or she will have
a chance at the presidency some
Fiay.
Here are a few of the normal
observations as DR.. Buhler and Mrs.
Greenberg see them
When a child is ? months old he
should be able to hold his head up
when placed in prone position.
He should be able to focus his
eyes on a moving, shiny object, to
return the glance of the adult, and
to show by his reactions that he
distinguishes between the adults
natural and growing tones OF voice
If a child has a good inherited
body he will hold his body straight
er and walk sooner than the young
Ster who hasn't.
Turning Point Reached
There is an important turning
point at the tenth month. Here
are a few of the things which the
normal child will do:
Turn his heard toward sound.
If he doesn't his hearing or his men
tally may be deficient.
Move his arms across face rest
Icssly when he wakes.
Give way to tears, frowns, tight
shutting of the eyes, and rubbing
of the face against the pillow when
angry. Don't boast of your child's
sweet disposition, unless you are
sure that he can show little spunk
when the world Doesn't suit him.
Open his mouth after removal of
food if not satisfied.
Hold his head up when lying on
his stomach.
Stretch his legs, arms, fingers and
tongue.
Move in one direction and back
again.
Handle static objects.
Then, too, don't be contented If
the child is quiet You'll know he
is normal if he makes a noise.