The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-24
EH YOUR CHILDREN
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By Olive Roberts barton ,

This is the last of six articles Dy Olive Roberts Barton, authority on problems, of. child-rearing,. on "Summer Care of Babies"
 The child who needs just as careful watching Us the baby IS the one from two to six years or age.
 We bend over backwards to keep the baby safe and that is right. We organize all sorts or reg. uiar physical examipations and free clinics for the school child' see that he gets his regular milk in school hours, and in many cases free lunches. And that is right, too. But what do we do for the pre- school child? Almost nothing at all. It is called by certain indig- nant specialists trying to save child life "the neglected age" and so it is.
 The child gets almost his entire heritage of health under six. Then why is 1t that so many people De. come careless of him and take 1t for granted that, after his baby hood he can sit at the table ana eat the same foods his parents eat pastry, rich sauces, too much starch, strong gravies and the like!
 Needs Special Attention Besides all this, he is not old enough to attend to himself as the six or eight-year-old brothers and sisters, yet in some mysterious way he is allowed to shift for himself. | Of course am speaking in gener- alities. Many mothers are very careful of these little folk. And even those who arc inclined to think the two-to-six child needs no special attention are hardly to be blamed, because the needs of such children have never been accented. The emphasis has ever been on the baby and on the school child.
 To show how important this age is now considered, 1t has been proved over and over that diseases springing suddenly to life during adolescence (thirteen to eighteen) are direct results of trouble, un- noticed, beginning during these early years. Tuberculosis, chronic infections, bone trouble, malnour- ishment and It's dire effects--every kind and variety of disease that seem to spring from nowhere at the "developing" age are found to have their beginnings away back in early childhood.
 What then should be done about the two.to-six child?
 First of all he should be nour- ished. But he cats all the time" his mother may say. That is just 1t. But what does he eat, how much and when?
 Stuffing Is Not Enough
 Food does not necessarily mean nourishment. Quantity does not mean quality. To stuff him with bread and jam isn't feeding him. He needs three regular meals 0 day. When very young he needs four. But the fourth should be milk only. Later he needs only three.
 He needs cooked foods (yes, In summer) and plenty of milk. He needs cereals twice a day. we'll cooked vegetables, celery, spinach, lettuce, beets, peas, beans, cab bage, caulifower, tomatoes--the list could go on. For very young children mako purees (pulps) of them when cooked. or cut up the vegetables finely and make them into soup. Not all of these things every day, of course. but some of them-a variety! He needs milk, some fresh meat, never fried, and no thick gravy-also eggs, fish or chicken. Some plain sweets, fat such as butter, and Il certain amount of fruit--cooked or plain but ask the doctor about the fruit Whale wheat bread Is bet ter than too much fine white bread.
 Ills meals should be regular. His bedtime should be seven o'clock every night. He should have nap or rest period during the day. He should be bathed regularly. He needs fresh air day and night and his own bed If possible. And if he isn't well. or is round-shouldered, bad color, or has no appetite. he needs e doctor.