The Mental Floss (March 2015) article, "The Barbarian's Guide to Parenting," provided examples of parenting advice shared by experts from decades past, such as:
From the 1916 book, The Mother and Her Child: "Put the baby in the corner and leave it there.... Handle the baby as little as possible.... We strongly protest against the haphazard, promiscuous kissing of babies."
In an 1894 manual, Dr. Emmett Holt advised: "Crying is the baby's exercise." He advised against playing with the baby until it was 6 months old, as play was thought to cause nervousness and agitation.
A US government baby manual from 1932 recommended starting toilet training by the end of the first month. The mother should hold the baby "over the chamber, using a soap stick, if necessary, to start the movement."
This book is a "how to" curriculum guide for appropriate practices when working with very young children in the early childhood learning environment. Incorporating the developmental philosophies of Emmi Pikler, Magda Gerber, Erik Erikson, and Maria Montessori, it promotes respectful and responsive caregiving to foster competence and independence commensurate with each child's level of ability. Topics include caregiving routines, environments, caregiver/child interactions, and the role of parents.
Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsBangladesh
These are the gems of parenting, I believe. There are many such traditional practices around the world across cultures which are universal too! We need to explore and preserve those in promoting parenting practices. Needless to say, community people feel comfortable and honored when their known practices are emphasized and duly addressed. And obviously it becomes more convincing for them to accept newly suggested practices while they are honored with their traditional practices. Anyway, everything will need to be done in a trustworthy manner.
United States
We've come a long way, baby!!! :-)
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