The mothercraft manual

How to Study a Child. A complete study of the child includes his physical and psychological characteristics, personality, gifts, deficiencies, his heredity, environment, training. In studying a child it is of first importance to avoid carefully any stirring of his self-consciousness, which might lead to either morbidness, introspection, priggishness, or vanity. The necessary physical measurements should be made as naturally and impersonally as possible, without discussion. The physical inspections should be made incidentally, during the processes of the daily life, without comment. Recording, except of measurements, should be done without attracting the attention of the child,—preferably not in his presence, and filed without his knowledge. The child’s traits or characteristics should not be discussed in his presence. Psychological characteristics can best be studied under natural, usual conditions:

A Score Card for Home Use. The following score card has been especially prepared to meet the practical needs of the untrained layman and amateur in the intelligent observation and better understanding of normal young children. It does not attempt to include marked abnormalities. It is merely preliminary to a more detailed and scientific analysis by the specialist. Such a general score card is necessarily applicable only for certain ages. The following outline does not attempt to cover special development beyond ten years of age.

Physical Measurements and Inspection. During the first year the weight should be taken weekly, at the same hour, in order to bear the same relation to feeding, bath, elimination; other physical measurements and inspections should be recorded at least quarterly. In the succeeding years records should be made at least semi-annually and preferably quarterly. The person in charge of young children should observe daily the physical conditions, and be able to detect at once the special danger signals, or deviations from the normal.

Any person careful in details and accuracy can make these measurements and inspections, at least as preliminary to the specialist. Detailed directions are given in Pamphlet V, American Medical Association Press, and in “The Health Index of Children” (Hoag). For ordinary household use, the apparatus required includes a new, firm tape measure, yardstick, accurate beam scales, and cards for testing vision. For school or institutional work it is desirable to have also calipers, laboratory apparatus for taking heights, instruments for taking blood pressure, and a dynamometer for testing strength of muscles. Economic and social conditions, differences of race and heredity, will cause considerable variation among children of the same age.

Psychological Analysis. No generally accepted standards or tests have yet been devised for measuring psychological development. The standards developed by Binet and Simon for mental ability as one phase of psychological age, have been widely tested in this country but have not proven wholly satisfactory. American revisions are now being worked out. The outline here given does not provide standards for measurement, but depends entirely upon the judgment of the person making the analysis. During the first year a chronological record can profitably be kept of the psychological development, noting particularly each gain in motor control, every indication of increasing recognition of sense impressions, the development of speech.

Standards of normal and average conditions and development can be learned by:

(1) observations of numbers of children of the same age.

(2) the study of published tables of measurements.

(3) published records, studies, and stories of children.

The Tables of Indications and Summaries have been added to assist in gaining a clear picture of the child’s condition and the factors calling for special constructive measures, elimination, treatment, improvement, or development.

Physical Measurements[28]

Name_____________________ Age: Years_____ Months_____ Weeks_____
Height standing[29]_____ In._____ Under Average_____ Over
Height sitting_____ In._____ Under Average_____ Over
Weight_____ Lb._____ O—z._____ Under Average_____ Over
Circumferences: Head_____ Chest_____ Abdomen_____
Diameter of Chest: Anterior-posterior_____ Lateral_____
Chest Expansion__________ Lengths: Arm_____ Leg_____

Physical Inspections

Figures at right in parentheses indicate age at which observation may normally or profitably begin, if not applicable during first year.

The following examinations can be made only by specialists. Physician or physical education director:

Physical Habits

History

Heredity

Predispositions

Congenital Factors

Indications

Vitality and Endurance

Sound digestion
Normal eliminations
Normal temperature, pulse, respiration
Normal posture
Normal increase in height and weight
Nerves steady
Sleep quiet, sound, undisturbed
Diaphragmatic breathing
Good chest expansion
Large nose, unobstructed
Large neck
Eyes clear, sparkling
Lips ruddy
Teeth sound, normal number
Muscles firm
Skin clear, ruddy, elastic
Active, vigorous play
Good-humored, optimistic

Low Vitality

Susceptibility to colds, coughs
Susceptibility to contagious diseases
Sensitiveness to cold
Poor nutrition
Peevishness, irritability
Easily fatigued
Poor chest development
Shallow breathing
Pallor
Small neck, nose
Adenoids

Poor Nutrition

Underweight
Overweight
Indigestion
No appetite
Capricious appetite
Rickets
Languor
Peevishness
Delayed dentition
Ridges and notches on teeth

Auto-intoxication

Low vitality
Constipation
Eruptions on skin
Coated tongue
Offensive breath
Rheumatism

Rickets

Pallor, anemia
Retarded growth in height and weight
Enlarged joints at wrists and ankles
Muscles flabby; sometimes fat
Enlarged abdomen
Breastbone sunken or protruding
Round shoulders, bent back
Delayed dentition and walking
Large square head

Scurvy

Loss of appetite; pallor
Loss in weight
Swelling of ankles and knees
Swollen gums
Black and blue spots on legs
Cry of pain when handled
Pain when legs are moved

Nervousness

Restlessness, fidgeting
Disturbed sleep
Irritability, peevishness
Tempers, hysteria, tantrums
Spasmodic movements
Stumbling, dropping things
Falling easily (after 2 years)
Nail-biting
Bed-wetting
Masturbation

Defective Vision

Squinting
Frowning
Book or work held near face
Headaches
Nervousness
Irritability
Indigestion

Deafness

Persistent inattention
Directions persistently slighted
Disinterest in music
Incorrect articulation (after five years)
Dull, stupid expression
Head persistently held at one side
Complains of roaring in ears

Adenoids (or other nasal obstruction)

Small nose
Sunken bridge (after 1 year)
High arched palate
Mouth breathing
Chronic cold
Nasal voice
Stupid expression
Nervousness
Irritability
Imperfect articulation

Temperament