Evening star., 1949-02-21

were both sensible and intelligent
people. ," The reason I loved
Onkel Fritz so early in my life
was mainly. I believe, because he
took me seriously"
The Is chapters cover just
about every subject that comes to
mind when child raising is dis
cussed. including parent education,
family living, health, mental
health, the exceptional child, work
and play, home and school and
manners and morals. The sugges-
tions offered by specialists for
greater harmony and happiness
along these lines are concrete ones.
A positive approach, designed to
produce children with a definite
talent for enjoying and contribut-
ing to life is the thing stressed.
The various publications to
which Miss Mackenzie alludes In
the course of the book are listed in
the worthwhile reference and read
ing list that is appended to it.
Included are several publications
put out by the United States Chill
dren's Bureau, the Association for
Childhood Education, the Society
for Research in Child Development
of the National Research Council,
and the American Psychological
Association, all located in Wash
ington.
Typical problems of parents
have to do with feeding. weaving,
thumb sucking, early anxieties and
jealousy of brothers and sisters,
according to DR.. Benjamin Spock.
DR.. Spock, as quoted by Miss
Mackenzie, has some constructive
suggestions to make about putting
an end to thumb sucking, by the
way. But no matter what, says he,
never make direct efforts to stop it.
The four F's of discipline are
f1rmness, fondness. fun and faith,
according to DR.. Alice v. Keliher.
Her comment, TOO, that there is
nothing like seeing ones child in
a group to get a realistic slant on
him" argues well for the program
of cooperative nurseries.
Interesting is the statement made
in Living With Baby" compiled
by the New York State College of
Home Economics at Cornell Uni
versity. Miss Mackenzie tells us
that this booklet insists that ex-
ira help in the house when a new
baby arrives is essential. go into
debt If you must" 1t says, "but
have help when the baby is young.
Help is essential for the first
month, extremely important for
the first six weeks, and highly de-
sirable for the first four months"
At least get a woman for cleaning.
it adds. a schoolgirl to mind the
other children or do the dishes.
or send out your laundry. Budget
experts approve this move. it adds.
"In preventing later illnesses, this
pays off in hard cash." the bull
letin declares.
There is interesting information
on learning, sometimes accom-
panied by a fear mot different
from fears of climbing a jungle
gym or of deep water" according
to psychiatrist DR.. Edward Liss.
An interesting chapter on work
and play tells about the way in
which children's interest in sing
ing, clay modelling, paints and pets
is developed. Speaking Of teach
ing children to swim, it deplores
the throw them in and they'll
have to swim technique"
Some youngsters do learn this
way" says Miss Mackenzie.
There's a story about the parent
of one terrified child who pointed
proudly to the success OF the
treatment. Junior learned 70
swim, didn't he? He wasn't afraid
of the water now, was he? No. but
ever since, Junior has been AFRAID
Of his father" 8S
IN