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9
It is never too early to start this process. Immediately the
boy gets on his feet, assumes the "erect posture" which distinguishes
him from all other mammals and becomes a "toddler,"
father would do well to see him as often as he can in his bath.
A very little effort and trouble taken at this stage would, I am
certain, prevent some of the pathetic figures seen amongst the
male school entrants at age 5.
Child Guidance.
"Child guidance" stands almost on a par with "nutrition"
and physical training as matters of public interest. The term
came to us from America some ten years ago and in its stricter
sense means the thorough investigation and treatment of children
who show departures from normal behaviour. The subjects of
child guidance are referred to as "problem children." The
investigation and treatment are carried out by a child-guidance
team, consisting of a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a social
worker—all highly trained in their special branches and all working
in close co-operation.
The child-guidance movement has made considerable progress
in this country and some education authorities have
established special child-guidance clinics staffed with specialist
teams.
The same movement has undoubtedly influenced practice in
many districts where special clinics have not been established.
There is need for all workers amongst children—parents,
doctors, teachers, social workers, school nurses—aye, even members
of education and maternity and child welfare authorities—to
become more "psychologically minded." An education
authority, with its staff of teachers, doctors and nurses, is in the
wider sense a child-guidance council.
In its Annual Report for 1936 the Child Guidance Council
says:—"Experience in many districts shows that the more
closely the clinic (i.e., the child-guidance clinic) is linked with
the existing educational and medical services, the more successful
its work. This is important, as it foreshadows a time
when routine psychological study is recognised to be as necessary
a part of every community and educational system as medical
inspection."