Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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212 Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913.
Finally a problem question such as, "What would you do if it was raining when you start to come to school?" The following results were obtained:—
Number succeeding. | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age last birthday | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Number tested | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Recognised real objects by name | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Recognised objects in picture | 18 | 19 | 18 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Named objects pointed to in picture | 18 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Compared lengths of lines | 18 | 19 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Compared two weights | 8 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 15 |
Arranged five weights in order with only one error | 2 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 13 |
Definition of object. By use | 8 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 9 |
By other features | 1 | — | 3 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
Contrasted familiar objects from memory | 4 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 25 | 17 |
Auditory memory for— | |||||||
3 numerals | 18 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
4 numerals | 17 | 19 | 20 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 20 |
5 numerals | 9 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 |
6 numerals | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
Auditory memory for sentences | |||||||
6 syllables | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
11 syllables | 15 | 16 | 16 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 18 |
18 syllables | 9 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 16 |
Replies to problem questions | 5 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Emotional Conditions.—The notes on these have been expressed in a terminology not easy to
sum up. As a general rule the younger children show considerable lack of interest, are distinctly
self-centred, and any acts of aggression are usually directed from motives of personal acquisition.
The manual training in the elder boys' schools has a marked effect on the volitional spontaneity.
Many boys can really date their progress from the commencement of constructive work, the advantages
of even a slight knowledge of some trade process unfamiliar to some of their normal companions
raises their self-respect, and is the first; and most powerful incentive to self-effort. About a
quarter of the cases seen at admission examination present marked negativism which it requires
much effort and coaxing to overcome.
Tests of Intelligence.—Description of pictures, objects, &c. The results were classified according to
the type of response. For example, taking the picture most, commonly used, Simple Simon fishing in a
bucket with his mother and a cat looking on, the simplest type of response would be simply "boy" or
"cat." A more advanced type is boy, cat, hens, lady, &c. Then "boy fishing," "a boy fishing in a
pail," and "a boy trying to fish or pretending to fish in a pail, his mother is laughing at him." The type
progresses with age, though the simpler forms persist, the chances of obtaining good numbers of the
higher type are kept down by the fact that children who respond well are sent, back on trial
to the ordinary elementary schools.
Age last birthday 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
One name per picture 5 3 1 1 — — 2
Enumeration of objects 3 4 3 7 5 3 4
Descriptive enumeration 4 3 4 6 5 6 6
Descriptive sentence 6 9 9 11 15 18 5
Interpretation by sentences 2 1 3 5 5 3 3
Reading capacity is recorded in terras of the size of the word read, the type of reading
employed, and how far the written matter is comprehended as tested by the response to certain
written commands, "Sit down," " Pick up a pen," k' Count your fingers," and one involving a calculation
such as "If you had a shilling and spent fourpence write down how much you would have left."
The results obtained were:—
Age last birthday | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Letters | 8 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
2-3 letter words | 11 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Infants' primer | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 |
Standard I reader. | — | - | 2 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 6 |
Standard II. upwards | — | - | - | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Letters or sounds of letters | 19 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Hesitant or jerky, syllable by syllable | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 11 |
Straightforward | - | — | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Motor | 1 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Arithmetical | - | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 8 |