RESEARCH NOTE: PATTERNS OF MENTAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG YOUNG, MIDDLE‐CLASS JAMAICAN CHILDREN

Abstract

This study looked at the performance on the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales of 149 middle-class children, aged 6-60 months, from three suburban neighbourhoods in Kingston, Jamaica. Their mean DQs were higher than the English standardization sample. The high scores below 2 years were similar to those reported from black children elsewhere. After 2 years the scores fell into the general range reported for middle-class children from other countries. The children had relatively high hearing and speech scores and low performance scores. Girls scored higher than boys, but birth order and maternal age were not associated with DQs.