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49
to a day nursery would have remained at the nursery until he
went to school. The majority of children who left within
four weeks were considered by their mothers to be "fretting,"
and after going over the records of those children under two
years who remained in the nurseries over three months I think
it is possible they made a wise decision in withdrawing them.
Seventy-six left within three months. Thus, of 32 children
who were admitted in their first year and stayed more than
three months, eight gained 0-8 oz. in weight in the first three
months in the nursery, and another seven gained 8-16 oz. An
average gain at this age is 1 lb. per month.
The following table shows the gain in weight in the first
three months, in the second three months, and in the first
twelve months of two groups in each nursery (those admitted
when they were between 12-18 months and those admitted
when they were between 18 months and 2 years). Besides
showing the average gain in weight in each group over the period
stated, I have indicated the number of children in each
group on which the gain in weight is calculated. It is obvious
that the number who remained in the nurseries over twelve
months are a definitely selected group, and the number in
each age group is too small to form any definite conclusions.
The average gain in weight of children between 1-2 years is
5-7 lb., so that these gains appear to be at the lower limit of
normality.