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Tuesday, January 9, 1973
On malnutrition during the weaning stage, she said that Chinese
mothers tended to wean their off-spring milk on to solids too rapidly,
thinking that by replacing congee for milk their children will be "stronger".
She said: "These children of four to six months of age are
unable to digest and absorb adequately what is offered in the way of
solids,
"Milk, which is most valuable to a growing child, should be given
in adequate amounts until at least three years".
She described this state of malnutrition as an outcome of ignorance
and misconception on the part of mothers rather than poverty alone.
Retardation Of Growth
She further pointed out that the retardation of growth around the
weaning period could also be attributed to the overcrowding of Hong Kong
which made children more liable to contract infections early in life.
"The general picture in the first two years in the lives of many
of the children was one of irritability, lethargy and a lack of interest
in their surroundings. The muscles in their limbs became soft and flabby,
she added.
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On the impact of environment on children's behaviour, children who
live in a confined space tend to be inhibited and shy in their overall
performance.
The common practice is to keep young children in their homes all day,
not only because it is customary to do this, but also because of the difficulties
of using lifts, and sometimes many flights of stairs in tall buildings, in order
to take then outside.
"Pre-school
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