CHAPTER XI RHYTHMIC MOVEMENTS IN INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD BANGING, HEAD TURNING AND ROCKING

Summary A description is given of the ocourrence of rhythmic movemente such as head banging, head turning and rocking in a longitudinally studied example of 212 children. At the age of three years, 12% of the ohildren indulged in rhythmic movements of this kind and 6% of that continued to do so at the age of five. The stereo types at three yeare exhibit no statistical connection with habitual thumbsucking, night walking or bruxism, nor do children sleeping alone in a room exhibit more stereotypes than other. Headbunging occur as a habit in connection with tiredness and settling at night and as an expression of emotional disturbance. In same cases the child bangs its head to express happiness. Headbanging as a reaction to disappointment becomes relatively more frequent between the ages of 2–3 years. The behavior begins mostly during infancy, in a few cases between 12–18 months. None of the children in this series began later than 18 month. Six children (3% of the 200 in the sample) continued their rhythmic rocking at bedtime without inerruption until they reached school age. In cases where the behavior persist it is compared to a conditioned reflex in search of relaxation and gratification.