Evening star., 1946-12-18

In the course OF the BABY . de-
VELOPMENT he learns to do things,
and he also learns to adapt to his
world. The normal baby develops
more and more skill as his growing
body responds to the drive from
within to develop and the simula-
ton he receives from the outside.
Posture-The way d baby holds
his body tposture) depends first
upon the strength of his muscles
and secondly upon the development
of his nervous system. BY the time
baby is 4 or months old he
usually begins to show some inter-
est in sitting up. Considerable care
must be taken, however, to see that
the baby does not become tired and
that he does not slump over. When
sitting up he needs not only support
at his back but also firm surface
under him-a mattress, the floor, or
the floor of a play pen-not a soft
cushion. At about or 8 months
baby can usually sit alone with
out support for short time. AT this
age he is beginning to be able to
pull himself back into sitting po-
sition whenever he topples over.
At about months of age most
babies learn to turn over, first from
the stomach to the back and later
from the back to the stomach. Some
babies never creep but move them
selves about by other methods be-
fore they learn to walk.
Children vary good deal in the
age at which they begin to stand.
Some will try as early as months
others may not attempt it until as
late as 10 or II months. Never urge
a baby to stand; he will do it HIM
self as soon as his muscles are strong
enough to support his weight. The
same things applies to walking-the
baby will walk of his own accord
Just as soon as he is ready. He
should never be urged to walk. A
baby walker" is not recommended:
If it is used at all it should be used
for only short periods of time. Many
such walkers" force the baby to
walk with the legs spread farther
apart than is natural; child be-
comes overtired quickly when he is
held in a confined space in more
or less rigid position. When a baby
is beginning to walk be careful that
large, bulky diaper is not making
it more difficult.
BY about the age of six weeks or
a little later the baby is able to
make cooling sounds, at first at ran
dom, later at will. These are not
taught to the baby; he develops to
the point where he is able to make
them, as he developed to the point
where he could move his arms and
legs.
ADAPTING TO HIS WORLD.
During his early months of life a
baby begins to learn ways of act
ing and feeling. For example, there
is relation between the satisfac-
ton baby gets from being fed and
the development of his personality.
The experience is pleasant one
when the mother satisfies the baby's
hunger with milk soon after he be-
comes aware of his hunger, and also
comforts him by holding him, and
speaking quietly and cheerfully.
Through many repetitions of this
experience the baby responds with
pleasure, not only to food but to
friendly human contact. Such ex-
periences help him to become a
likable, friendly person.
On the other hand, taking an ex-
trene example, suppose the baby is
allowed to cry on and on when
hungry, and bottle is finally put
into his mouth as he lies in his crib.
Eventually, through many repeti-
tions of this unsatisfactory expe-
rience, the baby may develop an
attitude of dislike toward the world
and instead of responding in
friendly way he remains withdrawn,
fearful, and a little suspicious an
attitude that will make his ultimate
adjustment to life difficult.
OF course, the baby has to real
ize that he can't receive immediate
attention for every need, and that
he must adapt to this. But parents
can help the baby to develop a
happy, pleasant personality by fit-