The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-15
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 C.EIlL- DREN
LIKE KITTENS, BABY KEEPS
 STEPPING
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We think puppies are cute when they run around and chase their tails, or chew up anything but our best hat. And aren't kittens just too adorable when they hump their backs and hop across the room on bias?
 But the baby "homo sapiens," actually a pup or ak itten until he is four years old, is different matter Toward him we ndopt an attitude of criticism if he is too active, yet 1t is just as natural for him to be cubbish as the few month-old youngsters of the low. CT animals,
 It Is we'll known that the intel. ligence of a species has every- thing to do with maturing. As man Is the most intelligent of all, his offspring take much longer to pull out of the babyhood stage.
 We think baby of two should have some, sense or at least obey better than he does. He has much less sense than we give him credit for, actually, and as for obeying, there want be much spontaneous obedience except through fear and habit. Naturally habit is the best. This Is why regular routine of the daily care should be ob. served.
 one thing that puzzles the average mother is this inability to ',sit still" or 'be quiet" when she commands. It Is absolutely for- cign to his nature to do either. All through childhood there Is this pull toward action and what appears ot us silly antics without reason.
 Co.ordlnation Must De Learned
 There are two very important reasons. The first Is that muscles not only have to be exercised In order to grow, but they must achieve fiexibility. Moreover, they have to get in 'cahoots" with the brain and learn that peculiar se- cret called coordination.
 We are not born with co-ordi- nation. A new baby has no con. troi whatever. It is going to take him four years, and then some, to work out the rudiments of this code between muscle and mind. It iwll take years moreto per. feet 1t. If he wants to be q good golfer or circus performer or good batter 1t will take him long. CT than that. Few of us ever reach any degree of perfection without extra training.
 The second reason for the con- stant stirring of 0 young child Is his inability to concentrate on any thing for more than a few min utes. You may make him sit down and play with blocks or show him pictures, but he quick iy tires of both. He even tires ot his hobby-horse and wagon, so there is little use in saying, "Bc good boy and go and get your wagon again." If he has tired of t momentarily.
 Laziness Comes Later
 To be sure, there is difference in children. Some are quick to respond to orders about keeping quiet when their dispositions are so inclined. And those who lack energy from some physical cause may be of the "still'' type. The mother of a rough-and-tumble child, either boy or girl, looks al this quiet child and for some rea- son or .other decides it Is the standard of childhood and her own the exception. She may be happier to know 1t Is the reverse.
 Her own ingenuity will be needed to train the little tyke in the gentler arts. He needs smoothing off an dmust be taught social ways, but she should not be discouraged when he forge;s and keeps on forgetting. Nature is a strong rival indeed. As life opens up and his interests widen. he will be quiet more of the time. If he is busy enongh with his hands she won't nee dto say "Sit down and be still" Just walt un. til he reaches the lazy stage. Then she'll be begging, For goodness sake, get up off that chalr ond DO something" Copyright, 1895. NEA Service, Inc.