The thesis aimed at finding out whether parents of toddlers with delayed psychomotor development undergoing curative spa stays administer food supplements, their reasons for administering them and what kinds and how often food supplements are administered. Eating habits of these children were looked into as well. Children with polio and central infantile hypotonic syndrome took part in the research. Quantitative research method using an anonymous questionnaire was employed for data collection. Altogether, there were 50 respondents. The results showed that 72 % (n=36) of parents already administered their children food supplements at such an early age. The most frequent motive for this was to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin supplements counted among the most frequently administered supplements in the sample. Furthermore, the research showed that not even the food composition of children in the sample was ideal. The results proved that it is highly desirable to pursue nutrition education of parents of children with neurological handicaps and chiefly also assure higher awareness of food supplements. Key words: dietary supplements, nutrition, toddler period, delayed psychomotor development, vitamins, cerebral palsy

This master thesis focuses on the home video training in families with children with autism spectrum disorders in the toddler period. Its aim is to summarize knowledge and new findings from the crucial areas and to describe the utilization of this method. The theoretical part of the thesis deals in detail with the method of home video training. It is also focused on autism spectrum disorders, especially on their typical manifestation in the toddler period. The specifics of families with children with this disorder are described. Current information from the area of use in these families is also mentioned. The empirical part of the thesis contains a presentation of a study based on the four case studies. It approaches the use of method video home training in families with children with autism spectrum disorders.

The research dealt with the influence that gestalt group therapy may have on the emotional development of deprived toddlers. The research consisted of a literature study and an empirical study. The literature study contains information on groupwork and emotional development of the toddler. The empirical research was conducted by involving six toddlers in a group. They were identified by means of purposive sampling. A pre-test was done with each child to determine their emotional development. After six group sessions of 30 minutes each, a post-test (using the same test as for the pre-test) was done with each child. The pre-test and post-test results were compared with each other. The content of each session were examined and also included in the findings. Empirical data revealed that gestalt group therapy can stimulate the emotional development of deprived toddlers. The conclusion can thus be made that gestalt group therapy can stimulate the emotional development of deprived toddlers. As a result of this study, conclusions and recommendations for future research were formulated. AFRIKAANS : Die ondersoek was daarop gerig om te bepaal of die benutting van gestaltgroepspelterapie die emosionele ontwikkeling van die gedepriveerde kleuter kan stimuleer. Die ondersoek het bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie sowel as empiriese navorsing. Die literatuurstudie is gedoen ten opsigte van groepwerk en die kleuter se emosionele ontwikDie empiriese deel van die ondersoek is uitgevoer deur ses kleuters deur middel van doelgerigte steekproeftrekking by die groep in te sluit. 'n Voortoets om die emosionele ontwikkeling van die kleuters te bepaal, is gedoen. Daarna is ses gestaltgroepwerksessies van 30 minute elk uitgevoer. Dieselfde toets as wat vir die voortoets benut is, is weer aan die kleuters gegee en die resultate is met mekaar vergelyk. Die inligting uit die sessies is ook genoteer en benut. Uit die empiriese gegewens het dit geblyk dat daar wel emosionele ontwikkeling by die kleuters plaasgevind het. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat gestaltgroepspelterapie benut kan word om gedepriveerde kleuters se emosionele ontwikkeling te stimuleer. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing is na aanleiding van die studie geformuleer. keling. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted