Deborah, the first 1000 days

Abstract

Deborah (b. 30.VI.79) was periodically observed and recorded until she was almost 3 years old. Appendix I consists of all her developmental observations. The relevant data from this longitudinal survey was referred to throughout the work to illustrate the major behavioural patterns of the child's development, namely: physical, psychomotor, adaptive, language, and personal social behaviour. This work is based to a considerable degree upon the framework of Gesell Developmental Schedules (Gesell, 1963) which is designed to appraise the level of total functioning of the infant. To enhance the concreteness of this developmental study, photographic illustrations are included. Except for Plates I and VIII all photo graphs are by the author and the child shown is the case-study and author's firstborn, Deborah. Appendix II includes the child's scribbles and her first drawings. Babbling and the first words and sentences are dated and recorded on a separate tape-cassette, which forms Appendix III.