The behaviour of 344 unsedated children in the anaesthetic room was assessed using a method similar to that described by Doughty (1959). The influence of the experience of the anaesthetist was found to be unimportant. The influence of the child's age was studied; children aged 7 yr and more behaved in a more satisfactory manner. The frequency of satisfactory behaviour compared favourably with that in published trials of sedative premedication which have used this method of assessment. The results support the view that the inclusion of unsedated children in such behavioural studies is essential.