Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
ALSPAC Early Years (13 months to 4 years 11 months)
My Little Boy/Girl
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MY LITTLE BOY
Children grow so quickly, and change so much. This questionnaire asks about any accidents or problems your son may have had now that he is two years old, what he has been eating and drinking, his temperament and the way he may be beginning to understand the world about him.
It is like the other questionnaires you have received. To answer simply tick the box which best describes your son or his situation. Again some questions will seem similar but they are not the same. Please answer all questions that you can. If you cannot answer a question or if it does not apply to you please put a line through it. There are no right or wrong answers. Please just describe what happens in your situation. You may make additional comments at the end. All answers are confidential.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
SECTION A: YOU AND YOUR SON
SECTION B: PLAY THINGS
SECTION C: ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
However careful a parent is, most children have accidents at sometime or other. Please list on the next pages the times your child has had an accident whether or not he was injured as a result.
Has he been burnt or scalded since he was 15 months old?
If no, go to C2a on page 7
how many times?
Please describe how each accident happened: Burn 1
Please describe how each accident happened: Burn 2
Please describe how each accident happened: Burn 3
Has he been dropped or had a bad fall since he was 15 months old?
If no, go to C3a on page 8
how many times?
Please describe how each accident happened: Fall 1
Please describe how each accident happened: Fall 2
Please describe how each accident happened: Fall 3
Has he swallowed anything he shouldn't have (such as pills, buttons, disinfectant) since he was 15 months old?
If no, go to C4a on page 9
how many times?
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 1
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 2
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 3
Has he had any other accidents or injuries since he was 15 months old?
If no, go to C5a on page 10
how many other accidents?
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 1
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 2
Please describe how each accident happened: Accident 3
Has your son ever had an accident that has left him with a scar, a physical disability or a behaviour or psychological problem?
If no, go to Section D on page 11
is there a scar?
If no, go to c) below
please describe where this is, and how he got it:
is there a physical disability?
If no, go to d) below
please describe this and how he got it:
did he develop a behaviour or psychological problem after an accident?
If no, go to Section D on page 11
please describe this, and whether he still has this problem.
SECTION D: PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT
Children often have accidents or illnesses that need treatment. Please indicate which of the following have been given to your child since he was 15 months old. other (please describe)
Are there any pills, ointments or medicines that he has taken every day or nearly every day for the last 3 months? (Include vitamins, skin cream, laxatives as well as antibiotics, etc)
If no, go to D3 below
please describe:
Has he been investigated since he was 15 months old by a specialist clinic or a hospital doctor?
If no go to D4 below
the problem investigated:
where was this done?
what was decided? (write SBI if he is still being investigated)
please describe any treatment he was given.
Has he ever been given glasses to wear?
If no, go to D5 on page 13
does this cause any problems?
If no, go to D5 on page 13
please describe:
Has he been given a hearing aid to wear?
If no, go to D6 below
does this cause any problems?
If no, go to D6 below
please describe:
Has he ever had a seizure, a fit or a convulsion?
If no, go to Section E on page 15
how many has he had?
did any of them last more than 15 minutes?
did his body shake and jerk on just one side?
did he have a fever at the time?
If no, go to D6e on page 14
how high was his temperature?
(put NK if you don't know)
what was the cause of the fever(s)?
did he have more than one episode of fitting during any feverish illness?
were you given any medicine to give him?
If no, go to D6f below
Do you feel that you have been given enough information about his fits or seizures? Space for comments
When the first fit or convulsion happened how old was he? ... months
When the first fit or convulsion happened what time of day was it?
When the first fit or convulsion happened who was there at the time?
When the first fit or convulsion happened what did they do?
Have there been any warning signs before he had a fit or convulsion?
If no, go to Section E on page 15
please describe:
SECTION E: YOUR INFANT AND HIS ENVIRONMENT
How many teeth has he got now?
Do you use a toothbrush to clean his teeth?
Does he ever have toothpaste?
If no, go to E2 below
how old was he when you started using toothpaste? ... months
how much do you put on his brush nowadays?
how many times a week do you do this? ... times
does he swallow it or spit it out?
what type of toothpaste is usually used: (please give exact name and brand)
All children get dirty. How often in a normal day: is his face washed?
All children get dirty. How often in a normal day: are his hands washed or wiped?
All children get dirty. How often in a normal day: are his hands cleaned before a meal?
How often does he usually: have a bath or shower:
How often does he usually: have his ear holes cleaned:
What do you think about toilet training for him?
give age you started training ... months
Is he: dry during the day
Is he: dry during the night
Is he: clean during the day
Is he: clean during the night
Please indicate how often during the day he is in a room or enclosed place where people are smoking: Weekdays
Please indicate how often during the day he is in a room or enclosed place where people are smoking: Weekends
Which pets is he in contact with at least once a week either in your home or elsewhere? *please describe
INDOORS AND OUTDOORS
How many hours in a normal week would you say your child spends out of doors (assuming the weather is reasonable) - please include time spent playing, going to shops, etc.
When he is out of doors, how much time in a week is he by a busy road? ... hours a week
(If less than 1 hour put 97. If none put 00)
How many hours in a normal week does he spend in a car?
SECTION F: FEEDING
For the main meal of the day does he eat: His main meal: the same food as you
For the main meal of the day does he eat: His main meal: a different meal to you
Do you feel that you have had difficulties feeding him in the past 9 months?
Does he feed himself?
when he has cows' milk is it mostly:
Since he was 15 months old has he had: herbal drink (please describe)
Since he was 15 months old has he had: sports drinks (eg. Lucozade sport, Dexters) (please describe)
Since he was 15 months old has he had: other flavoured milk drink (please describe)
Which type of these drinks does your child have nowadays?(tick all that apply) tea
Which type of these drinks does your child have nowadays?(tick all that apply) coffee
Which type of these drinks does your child have nowadays?(tick all that apply) cola
Which type of these drinks does your child have nowadays?(tick all that apply) other soft drinks
Since he was 15 months old, has your child had the following, whether in baby foods or elsewhere: Other raw vegetables (please describe)
Do you ever add these things to your child's food or use them in preparing his food? Herbs (please describe)
Do you ever add these things to your child's food or use them in preparing his food? Spices (please describe)
Do you ever add these things to your child's food or use them in preparing his food? Other sauce (please describe)
Skins and peels: does he eat: apple skin
Skins and peels: does he eat: orange peel
Skins and peels: does he eat: potato skin
Skins and peels: does he eat: other fruit or vegetable skin (please describe)
Are there any other foods that your child eats that haven't been included above?
If no, go to F16 on page 25
(If more than 3, please continue on a separate sheet)
When shopping do you deliberately choose for him labels that say: low sugar
When shopping do you deliberately choose for him labels that say: iron added
Does your toddler have definite likes and dislikes as far as food is concerned?
Does he drink out of a cup or feeding beaker?
How often do you put him down to sleep with a bottle (whether at night or during the day)?
How often does he suck a dummy or his thumb or finger? dummy
How often does he suck a dummy or his thumb or finger? thumb/finger
When you give him a dummy, how often is it dipped in or filled with something that tastes nice?
Apart from his fingers, thumb or a dummy does he have a special object that he uses for comfort?
If no, go to G1 on page 27
what is this?
SECTION G: CHILDCARE
Apart from yourself, who regularly has looked after your son when you are not there, since he was 15 months old?(Please answer for each person regularly involved). other (please describe)
What was the main reason for choosing this form of childcare?
How satisfied are you with these arrangements?
SECTION H: UNDERSTANDING AND TALKING
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
(Tick both columns if he says and understands)
To talk about more than one thing, we add an "s" to many words. For example, cars, shoes, dogs, and keys. Has your son begun to do this?
To talk about ownership, we add an "s", for example , Daddy's key, kitty's dish, and baby's bottle. Has your son begun to do this?
To talk about activities, we sometimes add " ing" to verbs. For example, looking, running, and crying. Has your son begun to do this?
To talk about things that happened in the past, we often add " ed" to the verb. For example, kissed, opened, and pushed. Has your son begun to do this?
Has your son begun to combine words yet, such as " nother sweet", or "doggie bite?"
Please list three of the longest combinations you have heard your child say recently.
SECTION I: TEMPERAMENT
The next questions are important. They will tell us about his personality. Some questions look similar but are not. Please tick the box which describes how often your son behaves like the description.
He gets sleepy at about the same time each evening (within 1/2 hour)
He fidgets during quiet activities (story telling, etc)
He takes feeds quietly with mild expression of likes and dislikes
He is pleasant (smiles, laughs) when first arriving in unfamiliar places
His initial reaction to seeing the doctor is acceptance
He pays attention to games with mum/dad for only a minute or so
His bowel movements come at different times from day to day (over 1 hour difference)
He is fussy on waking up (frowns, complains, cries)
He reacts to a disliked food even if it is mixed with a preferred one
He accepts delays (for several minutes) for desired objects or activities (snacks, treats, gifts)
He usually stays still when being dressed
He continues an activity in spite of noises in the same room
He shows strong reactions (cries, stamps feet) to failure
He plays continuously for more than 10 minutes at a time with a favourite toy
He ignores the temperature of food, whether hot or cold
He varies from day to day in wanting a drink or snack before bedtime
He sits still while waiting for food
He is easily excited by praise (laughs, yells, jumps)
He cries after a fall or bump
He approaches and plays with unfamiliar pets (small dogs, cats)
He stops eating and looks up when a person walks by
He seems unaware of differences in taste of familiar liquids (different milks and juices)
He moves about actively when he explores new places
He fusses or whines when his bottom is cleaned after bowel movement
He smiles when played with by unfamiliar adults
He looks up from play when I enter the room
He spends over 1 hour reading books/looking at pictures
He responds intensely (screams, yells) when frustrated
He eats about the same amount of solid food at meals from day to day
He remains pleasant when hungry & waiting for food to be prepared
He allows face washing without protest (squirming, turning away)
The amount of milk or juice he drinks at mealtimes is unpredictable from meal to meal (over 50gm (2oz) difference)
He practices physical activities (climbing, jumping, pushing objects)
He vigorously resists extra food/drink when full (spits out, clamps mouth closed, hits out at spoon, etc)
He plays actively (bangs, throws, runs) with toys indoors
He ignores voices when playing with a favourite toy
He approaches (moves towards) new visitors at home
He plays outside on hot or cold days without seeming to notice temperature differences
He continues playing with other children for under 5 minutes and then goes elsewhere
He continues to look at a picture book in spite of distracting noises (car horns, doorbells, etc)
He wants a snack at a different time each day (over 1 hour difference)
He is pleasant when put down for a nap or at night
He speaks right away to unfamiliar adults
He reacts strongly (cries or screams) when unable to finish playing
He enjoys games with running and jumping more than games when sitting down
He notices wet clothing and wants to be changed right away
He loses interest in a new toy or game within an hour
He runs to get where he wants to go
For the first few minutes in a new place (shop, home) he is wary (clings to me, holds back)
He takes daytime naps at differing times (over half hour difference) from day to day
He reacts mildly (frown or smile) when his play is interrupted by me
He accepts being dressed and undressed without protest
He is outgoing with adult strangers outside the home
His period of greatest physical activity comes at the same time of day
He can be coaxed out of a forbidden activity
He stops playing and watches when someone walks by
He goes back to the same activity after a brief interruption (snack, trip to the lavatory)
He laughs or smiles when meeting other children
He will avoid doing something wrong if punished firmly once or twice
He continues to play with a toy in spite of sudden noises from outside (car horn)
He ignores dirt on himself
His time of waking in morning varies greatly (by 1 hour or more) from day to day
He has moody or 'off' days when he is fussy all day
He reacts mildly (frown/smile) when another child takes his toy
He sticks at a routine task (dressing, picking up toys) for 5 minutes or more
He stops eating and looks up when he hears an unusual noise (telephone, doorbell)
He sits reasonably still during hair brushing or nail cutting, etc.
He shows much bodily movement (stamps, swings arms) when upset or crying
He is pleasant during face washing
His first reaction at home to an approach by strangers is acceptance (reaches out, looks at)
He is hungry at dinner time
He continues to get into forbidden areas or objects in spite of my warnings
He stops to examine new objects thoroughly (5 minutes or more)
He ignores smells (smoke, cooking, perfume) whether pleasant or not
He looks up from an activity when he hears the sounds of children playing
He falls asleep at about the same length of time after being put to bed
He is moody for more than a few minutes when corrected or disciplined
He is shy on meeting another child for the first time
He is still wary of strangers after 15 minutes
He frets or cries when first learning a new task (dressing self, picking up toys
He sits quietly in the bath
He practises a new skill (throwing, piling blocks, drawing) for 10 minutes or more
He ignores differences in taste or consistency of familiar foods
He is fearful of being put down in an unfamiliar place (supermarket trolley, new push chair, playpen) even when I'm present
He frowns or complains when left to play alone
He accepts within 10 minutes (feels at home, at ease) new surroundings (home, shop, play area)
He looks up from play when the telephone or doorbell rings
He will always choose a new, unfamiliar toy to play with rather than one he knows
In one play session he likes to play with many different toys rather than just one or two
SECTION J: HIS GROWTH
This questionnaire was completed by: mother
This questionnaire was completed by: father
This questionnaire was completed by: other (please describe)
Please give the date on which you completed this questionnaire:
Please give the date of birth of your son:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP
Space for any additional comments you would like to make
NB Please remember that we cannot respond personally to your comments unless they are signed.
When completed, please return the questionnaire to: Dr. Jean Golding, Children of the Nineties - ALSPAC, Institute of Child Health, 24, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol. BS8 1BR. Tel: Bristol 256260