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44
HEALTH EDUCATION
Miss D. S. Elliott, S.R.N., H. V. Cert., Dip. H. E.
Health Education Officer
"When a leaf trembles, the bough begins to shake".
Chinese Proverb.
A new enthusiasm for health education is stirring in the
department. There are encouraging signs of an increase in
interest and confidence among the staff as they become more used
to new apparatus and teaching methods which, as they can see for
themselves, are so well received by the public. The fostering
of this fragile but vital spirit is the most important part of
any health educator's work, because without it no health
education programme can hope to succeed.
Mothercraft Classes.
These successful courses of six lecture-demonstrations given
by a team of Health Visitors for many years have begun to expand
their scope a little more. Regularly now at the end of their
courses two or three classes combine for an afternoon of mothercraft
films and more Health Visitors are arranging an extra
evening session to which the fathers are invited. All the
equipment used during the course is displayed and lively demonstrations
and discussions on management take place,in an attempt
to prepare both parents for the first few months ahead and to
teach them the elements of consistent discipline.
Infant Welfare Centres.
There has been an improvement in the use of visual aids
during the year and in one Infant Welfare Centre the Health
Visitors have a rota for health teaching which continues all the
afternoon as small groups of mothers gather. Simple displays,
sound filmstrips and sometimes just posters have been used to
promote discussion.
This and other centres are organising play tables through
which it is hoped to teach toddlers (and through them their
mothers) simple skills and discipline.
Toddlers' Clubs
Plans are being made to begin toddlers' clubs in two Infant
Welfare Centres to be held on a separate day once a fortnight.
Health Visitors from three or four surrounding districts will
combine in running these. About twelve children will be given