SCHOOL CHILDREN STUDIED

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 6

SCHOOL CHILDREN STUDIED

PUBLICATION OF REPORT EXAMINATIONS SAID TO LOOM TOO LARGE (VXOK OCJL OWV COMISFONDim.) LONDON, January 2. An investigation into the growth and development of 4300 school children has been going on since the war. The work, which was started by Professor H. J. Fleure, was carried out •with the support of the British Association and, since 1927, with the financial aid of the Medical Research Council, which now publishes a report by Miss R. M. Fleming. "The overwhelming importance of examination subjects in the minds of children, parents, teachers, and educational authorities is very clear, says Miss Fleming. "Handicrafts, music, domestic subjects, physical exercises, and training in citizenship, though highly approved in theory, are severely disparaged as soon as the first public examination looms on the horizon." Disparagement. Disparagement took two forms. In reports, boys and girls good at handicrafts or music were often described as poor, dull, indifferent, and having no ability, "except in drawing or painting," "except in cookery or needlework," or "except in music." On the other hand, "good all-round ability" never proved to have any reference to skill in handicrafts or housecraft, or to music. "More attention to giving adolescent girls an impulse towards the wider range of spare-time interests, and less concentration or working for examination results," says Miss Fleming, "might bring fuller and richer lives for women and for the homes which they so largely dominate." Physical Characteristics.

During the work undertaken by Miss Fleming observations were taken of 2219 boys and 2073 girls, mostly of Welsh stock. They were in 14 age groups, and the statistical analysis covered pigmentation, eye colour, and forehead shape, as well as stature and the usual physical measurements. For all physical measurements except stature boys have an advantage over girls, states the report. The sexes are equal in height up to 11 years; then, until 14, girls grow faster. After this age, boys grow steadily taller than girls, and for a longer period. Analysing the gifts and tendencies of children according to physical characteristics, the report classifies them as follows —: Dark eyes, dark hair, and long heads; aesthetic rather than analytical. Literary and musical attainments good. Mathematical or scientific ability more rare. "Getting on' not a main ambition. Long heads, blue or light eyes, fair hair and skin. Decided preference for athletics and outdoor sports. No great musical ability. Small percentage good in arts, ambitious, and often with good organising ability.