Formal handling routines: child rearing practices in Jamaica

The objective of this study was to describe the use of the formal handling routine in young children with and without a disability in a rural community in Jamaica. In all, 52 care-givers were interviewed and videotapes of some care-givers carrying out their routine were made and analyzed. Results showed that Jamaican care-givers are carrying out these routines because of tradition and to influence the child's growth. The formal handling routine included "sopping", "stretching", "active exercises", "shaping", "massage" and "catching-up" and are carried out once or twice a day from birth until the child is able to move around by itself. Care-givers of a child with a disability started at a later age with the routine and continued it longer. On noticing that their child's reaction during the routine was different in comparison to other children they adjusted the way of carrying out the routine according to the child's reaction and also carried it out more frequently. Jamaican care-givers seem to be experienced in exercising their children, and spend much time on it and have a lot of knowledge about influencing their child's development. This knowledge and experience can be utilized by community rehabilitation workers in exercising children with a disability (AU)

Maternal handling and motor development: an intracultural study

Citing a distinction between informal and formal routines used by mothers in handling their infants, we examined formal handling routines, in which the caregiver acts as in a pedagogical manner; these routines are widespread in many non-Western countries. We hypothesised that formal handling servs to facilitate gross motor development during early infancy. To examine this hypothesis, the effect of a Jamaican formal handling routine on a broad range of developmental outcomes was examined. Results showed that the effects were specific to early gross motor development an in particular to postural control along the vertical axis of the body. Information is also provided on other aspects of Jamaican child care. It seems that the handling routine forms part of a folk (developmental) medicine system and may serve not only to promote child health but also as a sort of developmental neurological examination. (AU)