The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-25
UNYOi;U.'R CHILDREN
INFANT SHOULD BE ENCoUR. AG TO DEVELOP MANY
 INTERESTS
h ClLsl Reberls nAilpA J

Sometime in their lives, little children often learn to be one- sided. That ib, they develop strong preferences for certain toys, cer.- tain games, people, habits and even clothes. It is not always wise to lot it go unchallonged. This happens to be q point sel- dom broukht out by the spectl- ists on training who accent indi- vidualisrn and allowing the child to choose. They appear to regard such a trait to be extremely ah- mirable because 1t shows initiative. No one, and certainly not myself. believes in too much standardiza- ton.
 But there are reasons why a child should have universal inter ests and not fix his mind on a few things he prefers. This has little to do with what are known as fxA- tiors, yet 1t is related In a way. Suppose Billy has been given dozen toys for Christpnas. He seiSes on his car or train. He won't look at anything else because he is 1t the stage when both spell TO" nance.
 It's roo Early to Decide Future
 ullNY UAG A llGCHOhtS0A N&Ahp announce his proud parents and begin to think of courses in tech fiology some day.
 As matter of interest Billy may be teaching bridge instead of build ing bridges. He may be almOst purely emotional in his little me- chafical toys.
 Fine. Nothing could be better. There isn't anything strange in the little fellow adoring automobiles and trains. It would be strange if he didn't. He fs running true 10 type. And so with girls who re" fuse blocks for dolls and Sandy Andyk for vast tubs. Each would be perfectly normal, too, if Billy happened to prefer the dolls and Susy the trains. This often hap pens in early childhood.
 What is not quite normal, or might not be in time, Is the fact that as the years go on Q child re- fuses to adapt himself and enjoy in fair measure, almost everything
 It is a good thing when he can turn from one thing to another from trains to blocks, from blocks to mod ding clay. From that to pic- ture books and so on. It Is whole some if he can play happily with half dozen children In the course of day instead of incoming about and being lost if his buddy Is down town. Excellent If he can change games and be equally interested in all.
 Forcing System Is Futile
 Naturally, the forcing system in such cases is as destructive and futile as 1t Is in anything else. So 1t takes a bit of finesse to get him out of his rut.
 If Bully hasn't been interested in his building set, we might try to ciothe 1t with some sglampur. We can. make our fingers into Benjamin Business looking for lumber for a new house. Ben takes as he builds, a little stick here. Q small joint there. Or by associa- ton of ideas Billy can be made to stretch his affections if a simple garage is built for the beloved car. Some children shrink from new experience because they do not know how to go about it. They need to he shown. Use the beloved ob- ject as an agent. Through 1t stretch
 It never hurts to be universal about anything. It makes for bet ter dapted adults who will ft into l life and it's varying niches and con ditions later on. There are too many adult children, or child adults who have never gotten out of tho habit of being happy happy only With a few things they want. They are not adaptable. They are one-ssded in- stead. of many sided. And usually unhappy.
 (Copyright 19s5, NsA Service Incl