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77
An enquiry was recently made regarding the extent of the
teaching of health in the schools and this showed that the advice
tendered by the Committee had been generally accepted by the
teachers in a remarkably keen and appreciative manner. Many
of the teachers were found to have gone further and whilst adopting
the handbook as a basis to have instilled some individuality into
the method of approaching the children and of presenting the
subject so as to be of particular interest at the moment.
In giving instructions on health to the children the teachers
have derived assistance from the Syllabus of the Board of Education
on "The Hygiene of Food and Drink," from the booklet, "Hygiene
of the Mouth and Teeth" issued by the Dental Board, from the
monthly periodical "Better Health," issued by the Public Health
Department and from various posters and publications of the
Health and Cleanliness Council.
At the Domestic Subjects Centres the teachers have devoted
particular attention to the teaching of Infant Care and Management
to the older girls attending them. The teachers keep in touch
with the Health Centres and endeavour to follow the nature
of the teaching there. Model garments for infants and
young children, corresponding to those recommended at the Health
Centres, have been supplied to all the schools, where the girls are
taught to make them.
One of the most striking lessons on health received by the
girls attending the Domestic Subjects Centres is given in the course
of a visit to one of the Health Centres. They attend 10 or 12 at a
time and are shown how all the work of the Centre is carried out,
how the health of the mothers and the children is recorded, how
the baby is weighed by the health visitors, and examined by
the doctor, how records are kept regarding the medical inspection
and treatment of school children, how treatment is carried out,
and so on. This visit has proved a most interesting lesson to the
girls who have shown great enthusiasm about what they have seen
and heard. The interest is not simply momentary for by the
intelligent questions which are commonly asked one is bound to
conclude that the visit makes a permanent impression.