Library

I. Care of Children

Usually, after the age of one, children gradually gain the ability to walk and begin to learn speech, marking their entry into the childhood period. At this stage, a child's knowledge begins to open up; if guided towards goodness, they become good, and if guided towards evil, they become evil. Over time, habits are formed, often becoming unchangeable for life. It is like a piece of white cloth: dyed black, it becomes black; dyed red, it becomes red. This is the starting point between the sage and the ordinary person, and the distinction between the virtuous and the unworthy. Therefore, during childhood, one must ensure that what the child sees and hears consists entirely of behaviors worthy of emulation within the family. One must never expose them to a bad environment, which would ruin their lifelong prospects. Furthermore, regarding physical aspects, a sound physique must be cultivated to prevent stooping, crooked backs, or distorted postures. These are obligations parents must fulfill in raising their children and responsibilities of the state in protecting children; both health authorities and physicians should pay attention to this. The essentials of caring for children are described below.

If a child's motor skills or speech development are delayed, it is often due to congenital deficiency and lack of nutrition. Early regulation and tonification should be applied without delay.

An excessively protruding or hard abdomen in a children indicates poor health. Diet should be regulated, and prevention measures taken against parasitic infections, food stagnation (accumulation of undigested food), and latent gastrointestinal diseases.

Children should be encouraged to develop an interest in exercise. If certain body parts show insufficient development, exercise should be used to remedy this (excessively long exercise duration, carrying heavy objects, overly intense running or vigorous sports, high jump, and long jump are all unsuitable).

Children should be habituated to rising early and sleeping early. For those under two years old, daytime naps should be provided to allow sufficient rest for their spirit.

The child's back and abdomen should be kept warm, while the head and extremities should remain cool. However, sleeping with drafts blowing directly onto the Fengfu (GV16) acupoint at the back of the neck or the Yongquan (KI1) acupoint on the soles of the feet should be avoided to prevent inviting cold pathogens.

Children should not be allowed to stare at things for long periods, as prolonged visual strain damages the eyes. They should not stand for too long, as this damages the bones. Their heads should not be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, as this damages the brain. All daily routines should follow hygienic rules to form good habits.

During the height of summer heat, children should sleep separately from adults. When they are asleep, one must strictly avoid fanning them directly to prevent invasion by wind-cold pathogens.

During severe cold, natural warmth is best for children. One must strictly avoid heating with fire sources to prevent disorders caused by dryness-fire.

A child's standing, walking, sitting, and sleeping postures should be guided and corrected at any time. Sleeping with the head covered by blankets is particularly detrimental to hygiene and should be prevented early to nip problems in the bud.

Speech training for children should aim for moderate volume and pace, neither too fast nor too slow, with clear articulation. Otherwise, hoarseness, stuttering, hesitancy, or shouting may arise, which cannot be ignored.

Rules and etiquette for children should be practiced regularly to instill good habits that they will follow unconsciously throughout their lives.

II. Diet of Children

The old proverb states, "To keep a child safe, let them endure a bit of hunger and cold." Although this is an ancient folk saying, it actually aligns with the highest principles of hygiene. Slight tolerance for cold strengthens Qi and Blood and consolidates the Couli (skin texture and pores), as mentioned previously. Slight tolerance for hunger keeps the abdomen empty, preventing food accumulation, enhancing resistance, and invisibly avoiding many diseases, offering significant benefits. Moreover, appropriate diet not only prevents disease before it arises but also promotes physical strength. Since childhood health is the starting point for lifelong well-being, how can we neglect diet and result in a frail body?

For children over two years old, four meals a day are recommended, with snacks prohibited. For those over ten years old, three meals are sufficient, with light snacks allowed. Strict fasting at night can permanently eliminate conditions such as Ganji (infantile malnutrition syndrome).

For children over two years old, fruit can be consumed slightly after each meal. Apples, oranges, and pears are suitable. However, excessive consumption can damage the Spleen and cause diarrhea, potentially leading to abdominal distension (Guzhang) or jaundice over time.

Children often have habitual preferences for specific foods, which should be corrected. What they prefer may not necessarily be beneficial, and what they dislike may not be harmful. Forming a habit of selective eating leads to excessive consumption of certain items, resulting in poor nutrition and frequent illness.

Suitable foods for children include beef broth, milk, eggs, and vegetables. Fish and meat are also acceptable. However, vegetables are often rejected by children. Not eating vegetables easily leads to impure blood, physical weakness, pale complexion, and symptoms such as sores, swelling, blood toxicity, and epistaxis.

Children who are overly plump and fair-skinned may appear cute, but this is not a sign of a sound physique. Milk and oily foods should be reduced and replaced with vegetable-based vegetarian diets. This prevents excessive Phlegm-Fire and avoids risks such as Wind-Convulsion (Jingfeng).

Children usually have a fondness for candy, peanuts, and beans. However, candy causes special fermentation in the stomach, gradually leading to digestive obstruction. Peanuts, if not chewed thoroughly, tend to accumulate. Beans are most likely to obstruct and stagnate Qi; excessive consumption can lead to massive abdominal distension. These should be avoided.

Children should not be allowed to drink tea excessively, as it hinders digestion, causes fluid retention and Phlegm accumulation, and promotes Dampness.