[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton] page 52

Leyton 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]

This page requires JavaScript

Table: Continued from previous page...

Download table as:

Continued from previous page...

S.E. 9.4.57	Both mother and father attended the school for the educationally sub-normal. They have very poor housing conditions and the father is very jealous of the new baby.	On attending the centre the child settled in well and used all equipment but was particularly interested in playing with dolls and prams. This mother requires a great deal of help to understand the child's needs and like many educationally sub-normal mothers she finds coping with a toddler exceedingly difficult. The staff are spending a great deal of time during and out of the session in showing the mother how best to help her daughter. This family have been re-housed and the child is now in the care of a daily minder who knows this child well and has noted the improvement in the child since she has attended the play centre.
A. P. 1.2.58	This is a mischievous intelli^ gent child who had thyroid treatment from the age of 2 months. She has a smaller sister and her mother is overanxious and is being treated by her private practitioner for a nervous condition. It would appear that both mother and child would benefit from play sessions.	On admission the child was completely withdrawn and ignored all other children but watched adults very keenly. She is still very reserved but is beginning to make good use of the equipment and has established some contact with one or two children. The mother states that the child is much easier to handle since she has attended the centre and is learning how to play. Unfortunately the child contracted measles and found it difficult to re-establish relationships. She has now settled in well and shows a marked improvement in her attitude towards other children and adults.
J.G. 28.9.58	This little girl would pass for a four year old child. She lives in a flat over a shop in High Road, Leyton and has no play area. The child is extremely aggressive at home.	On admission the child appeared to be friendly and co-operative and she played energetically and sensibly. The mother complained that in the afternoon of her first attendance at the Play Centre in the morning, she was extremely difficult and demanded to be taken back to the boys and girls. The mother is now able to understand the child's needs and has supplied her with some sand play and is now able to talk to her more easily. Recently the mother had to start work and the child is now in the care of a daily minder who says she is "No trouble at all". Family shortly moving from the district.
V.H. 23.8.58	This child is mongol and her mother has been agitating to get her into an Occupational Centre. As this is not possible it is hoped that the Play Session will relieve the home situation.	On the first attendance the mother stayed 20 minutes, however, the child screamed when she left and then sobbed convulsively so that she had to be nursed for a time. She fell asleep at 10.30 a.m. and slept for one hour. It would appear that this child cannot