[retTreftowhexm]

Good idea. First of all let me say that the children receive good care and I believe that the staff who watch them love them very much. What I did observe is that staff do no hold the children (birth to 3 years old) because they are afraid they will get attached to them. Also, they don't play with them or talk a great deal with them. We did developmental screenings on some of the kids (with a Thai translator) and found that many were delayed in language, motor skills and learning-such as being able to identify a picture in a book, point to their eyes, nose, etc.

Staff say it is not okay for kids to suck their thumbs. In USA it is normal and kids are usually not stopped from doing so.

Would these things occur in urban Thai families? Do parents hod, kiss, play with their children? Do they teach them things? What are their beliefs of what children can do at different ages? What is allowed? Not allowed? Do parents read to them when they are infants?

It's the day to day stuff.

Hope this is clearer.

Thanks.

Andy