Child Health AlphabetP
By Mrs. Frederick Peterson
is for Apples
and also for Air;
Children need both
and we have them to spare.
is for Butter spread
thick on Brown Bread,
Also for Baths
before Breakfast or Bed.
is for Cereals
and Cocoa too;
Consider the Calories
coming to You.
is for Dates,
the kind that You eat,
Deliciously sweet
and far cheaper than Meat.
is the Excellent
Edible Egg,
One daily at least,
dear Children, we beg.
is for Fruits, whether
fresh, dried or stewed;
Dried, at the Grocer’s,
you’ll buy them, if shrewd.
is for Gaining,
as every Child could,
A half pound a Month
is the least that he should.
is for Height,
be as tall as you can,
Weight up to Height
makes a healthy strong Man.
is for Iron
in Spinach and Eggs,
Builds Red Blood and Sinews
for strong Arms and Legs.
is for Jam
and also for Joy,
Which spread on his Bread
it brings to a Boy.
is for Kitchen
so spick and so span,
We all like our Food
from a shining clean Pan.
is for Luncheon
served hot in the School;
We wish all the Teachers
could follow this Rule.
is for Milk which
makes Muscle and Bone;
One pint a day
would be best till you’re grown.
is for News
of habits you need,
To grow up so healthy
you’re bound to succeed.
is for Oatmeal,
the finest of Food;
With Milk for your Breakfast
there’s nothing so good.
is for Prunes,
Potatoes and Peas,
And Patriots who will
be glad to eat these.
is for Quiet,
we frequently need;
After Meals don’t run
at the top of your speed.
is for Rest
and Round Rosy Faces;
Rest is a thing
which nothing replaces.
is important
and therefore I hope
You’ll pardon my specially
mentioning Soap.
is a Topic
which Trouble begins;
Both Tea and Coffee
for Children are Sins.
Understanding
the best way to live,
United for Service
our Country to give.
is for Vegetables;
if you’re too slim,
These Victuals are full
of Vigor and Vim.
is for Water,
the best thing to drink
Between Meals
as often as ever we think.
is for Xtras
of Soup or of Milk
For a thin little Girl
till she’s finer than Silk.
is for You,
and I tell you the Truth,
Learn to be Healthy
and Strong in your Youth.
Now march for it, Children,
with Drum and with Fife.
Z is the Zest
which Health gives to Life.
Notes
P Used by permission of the author and of the publishers, The Child Health Organization.