Show Explanation and Correction By Frank Connor One of the speakers at the White House conference on child health and protection said My sympathy goes out to the child I who is facing the years ahead of us It is not easy to get along with an active restless mind receiving receiving re re- re- re new impressions every hour i It is not easy to develop sound attitudes and sound habits In the I presence of many diverse Influences I ces and varied associates I Imagine imagine imagine Im im- im- im agine too that the modern parent par par- parent ent with his lis or her ideas regarding regarding regarding regard- regard ing cod liver oil and j conduct is at times an undesirable undesirable able associate In the view of our I children Children respond to what they understand More time in explanation often leads to less in correction for difficulties 1 J True But in many instances explanations given children do not accomplish what is intended for forI 1 I them Frequently th the explanations are accompanied by solicitude and andi i anxiety The result is suspicion in in the childs child's mind He gets the e impression ion that som something thing is being being beng be ing ng put over on him 1 Let us take the classic classie example spinach I do not believe that the child hild who will not eat spin spinach ch if that act can be avoided does son so in n the majority of cases because he dislikes the taste of that celebrated celebrated celebrated cele cele- I article of diet It is the I Iway way it is presented to him Parents Parents Parents Par Par- ParI I I have noticed who have domestic domestic do domestic do- do spinach difficulties generally generally generally gener gener- ally present that food to the child with the same technique with which he is induced to take castor castor cast cast- or oil Of c course urse the result will willbe willbe willbe be a minor mino revolution tion Success with children with both exp explanations and matters of diet depends upon the naturalness with which the explanations and the food are presented Elements of mystery and confusion must be omitted Threats defeat the purpose purpose purpose pur pur- pose they were designed to adva ad ad- va vance ce Together with expressions of anxiety these things things' m mean an total to total total to- to tal defeat for the good intentions of or parents |