Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 51
Chapter 3: Toddler and Preschool Years 51 vegetables than meat as meat excites and in childhood there should be as little excitement as possible. ” 3. 9 In addition to good nutrition, it is important to be mindful of the health of the child. Toddlers can easily pick up germs from playthings shared with other children so keeping the home environment clean and washing hands frequently is important. Guidelines for regular check-ups and immunizations should be followed, especially if the child is attending preschool. Modesty Modesty starts at a very young age. Young children have a natural sense of modesty and it is important this be fostered and not quashed. Toddlers or preschoolers should not be allowed to remain naked. If mothers dress children modestly from this age, they get into the habit of wearing clothes that cover their arms and legs. Hazrat Khalifatul- Masih V (aba) has advised that after the age of 3 - 4 years old, girls should not wear sleeveless clothing and should wear pants or leggings. Boys should also be dressed appropriately. Encouragement and Positive Support Encouragement and praise are important for children at any age and help to establish good behavior. However, care should be taken not to over-praise or over-indulge children. In this society, praising every activity regardless of effort or outcome has become commonplace, with the result that some children begin to expect constant acknowledgement and become discouraged when they do not get it. TV and Video Games In this age of technology, it is very easy to let it take over our lives. Preliminary studies indicate that television and computer games change brain development: They shorten attention spans and heighten