Smyrna times., 1941-08-28
SCHOOL CHILD
HEALTH CARE
State Board of Health Advises
Annual Exams by Doctor;
Stress Mental Health
FOOD AND REST VITAL

Back to school will go Della
wares children next week, and the
State Board of Health asks parents
if their own respective james and
Tommies are adequately prepared
for the return to the world of books
and bells. To be ready for school
a child should be in the best health
that is possible for him. Every
child of school age should have a
thorough examination by doctor
at least once year. The doctor
will want to know whether your
child is growing as he should. One
of the best signs of good health is
a steady gain in weight. How
much he weighs or how tall he is
at any given age is not as import
ant as that he makes continuous
gain in weight and in height.
Mental Health
Be glad if your child is happy
away from home, for this means
that he is a well-adjusted child,
says Doctor Marion Hotopp, acting
director of Maternal and Child
Health for the State Board of
Health. The parents attitude will
do much to help the child have a
happy school experience. Show an
interest in the things the child
brings home from school or tells
you about it. Each one is import
ant to him and should have your
respect. Your child's attitude to-
ward the school reflects the atti-
tude of the home ard he looks for
the things in school that the par
ents lead him to expect to find
there. Help him to solve his own
problems and encourage associa-
tion with other children.
If your youngster is entering
school for the first time do not
linger with many fond "farewells"
on the morning that school opens.
Treat school as just another part
of his life in a taken-for-granted
attitude. Prepare the way by sug-
gesting some of the fun and new
experiences he will have there.
Right mental health is as import
ant as right physical health in
child's ability to progress in the
school world.
Clothing
Clothe your child simply, advises
DR.. Hotopp, in garments that may
be easily laundered. Be sure that
they are large enough for freedom
of bodily movements, allowing
for jumping, running, climbing and
stretching. They should be COM
Portable and long enough in the
crotch, with no binding portions
about waists, arms or legs. In pre-
pairing small children's clothing,
remember to allow for independ-
ence in toilet and dressing habits,
with buttons and buttonholes large
enough to be easily unfastened.
Purchase or make the child's
clothing in keeping with the wealth
er conditions: light weight for
warm days and warm outer gar
ments for cold weather. For rain
plan to have rubbers or galoshes
and rain coat or cape and cap or
a warm coat and umbrella.
Shoes should be purchased to fit
the individual and should always be
large enough to permit free, easy
foot muscle movements. Do not
wait until shoes are worn out, dis
card them as soon as you find they
are restricting the toes. Allowing
a child to wear shoes that are too
tight may seriously injure his feet.
The School Child's Day
Good health depends upon
wholesome daily life. Plan your
child's day so that there will be
time for school work, adequate
sleep, three meals, rest, and out
door play. If school children are
to get sufficient outdoor exercise
and play, most of the time after
school should be spent out of doors,
as we'll as the greater part OF Sat
urday and Sunday. 1t is good
idea for every child to learn re-
sponsibility by having some house.
hold chores, but these must be tit
ted into the daily program In such
a way that they will not prevent
his getting enough outdoor play
and other exercise, advises DR..
Hotopp.
Crossness, flushed cheeks, con-
stant use of high-pitched voice
and loud laughter indicate need for
rest. A ten-minute quiet period
before meals at noon and night
may help a tired child to be ready
to eat and enjoy his food.
And So to Bed
Puan the after-dinner time so
that home study, household chores
and visiting with thte family do
not interfere with regular early
bedtime in order that the young
steys have a full nights sleep and
are ready to get up in the morning.
Parents are apt to forget, says DR..
Hotonn that teen ape children he