New Britain herald., 1930-09-17
THE FIRST YEAR IS THE HARDEST!
BY HELEN WELSHIMER

months, the time limit IS passed. Mary may alseady have become a wall-flower and Johnny may never learn not to be afraid to fight the boys 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 neglected their social life when they were six and seven and eight months old.
 Dr. Charlotte Buhler, professor O., child psychology at the Uni- versity of Vienna. has been study ing all the stages of infancy for years and years. Hundreds of in- fants and older children are brought to her laboratory every year.
 And now she has prepared a guiding set of rules for parents, when tell how you may decide if your child is normal, and also how you may keep him that way.
 Mrs. Pearl Graenberg. student or Dr. Buhler's who assisted in the translation of her recent book, The First Year of Life" is fa- miliar with the noted psycholo- gist's views.
 "A child must have relations with others, although he is only a few years old" Mrs. Greenberg says. If he doesn't, he will de- velop shyness. If he is going to be comfortable with other chill dren, he has to play with them from the very beginning"
 Social Graces Learned!
 When Mary and Johnny have their first birthday parties they aren't supposed to hide behind the door Social contact will be ar old story by then.
 Don't leave your few months old child lying in it's crib and breathe a sigh of relief because he requires so little attention You'll be sorry if you do, perhaps when you try to teach him the meaning of the family language.
 If child isn't talked to. he doesn't get the proper vowel sounds It will be more difficult for him to learn to speak than ii would have been if he had receiv. ed conversational attention" MT Greenberg explained.
 Also. watch the toys you give your child.
 First toys should be simple, the child psychologist has learned They must be of the type that can be handled easily. They should be brigt 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"
 For here again, Mary and John- nie will pay the price in the fu- ture when they tegin to want en- tirely too many beads and brace lets and roadsters.
 Needs Normal Background
 "The child is a produc> If his environment, and heredny." Mrs Greenbers believes. as does Dr Butler. The first year he must have normal healthyj back ground. If he is neglected during the first twelve-month period his development may be retarded"
 However. you can make a child nervous, far more nervous than he makes you. if you don't show some poise about your relation with him. Be calm, be considerate, be interested.
 For there's wisdom in the mind oi two and three and four months old youngster, even if he doesn't know it.
 AS the hundreds and thousands of infants enter the laboratorie: of Dr. Buhler for observation ant experimentation, she has come tt learn certain important fact! about the first year of life.
 It is no longer necessary to wal until a child goes to school tt know if he is capable of learning his ABC's and locating Madrid and Picking on the map.
 A few simple rules of observa tion will tell you if he or she vii have a chance at the presidenc. some day.
 Here are a few of the norma observations as Dr. Buhler ant Mrs. Greenberg see them.
 When a child is two /months olc he should be able to hold his heac up wher' placed in prone posi- ton.
 He should be able to focus hi eyes on . moving, shiny object, t return the glance of the adult, ant t" show by his reactions that h. distinguishes between the adult natural and growing tones 0 voice.
 If a child has good inherite' body, he will hold hA bod traighter and walk sooner tha the youngster who hasn't.
 There is an important turnin point at the tenth month. Her are few of the things which tn normal child will do:
 Turn his head towards a
 sound. If he doesn't, his
 hearing or his mentality may
 be deficient.
 Move his arms across face
 restlessly when he wakens.
 Give way to tears, frowns,
 tight shutting of the eyes,
 and rubbing of the face
 against the pillow when an-
 gry. Don't boast of your
 child's sweet disposition, un
 less you are sure that he can
 show a little spunk when the
 world doesn't suit him.
 Open his mouth after re-
 moval of food if not satisfied
 Hold his head up when ly- ing on his stomach.
 Stretch his legs, arms, fin
 gers, and tongue.