The Emerging Child

The Hudsons Guild is a long established neighborhood house which offers social, educational, psychiatric, and psychological services to the residents of Chelsea, who are often socially, economically, and educationally, deprived. The many activities of the Hudson Guild Neighborhood House included a mental hygiene clinic also called the Counseling Service, and the operation of a day care center for the children of working mothers. Dr. David Wolitzky describes the program: " In 1956 the staffs of these two independent services embarked on a cooperative continuing venture, the establishment and operation of the Therapeutic Nursery Group (TNG). The aim of the TNG is to provide emotionally and behaviorally disturbed pre-school children with a group play therapy experience under the leadership of a special nursery group-teacher-therapist. The basic rationale of this program is that the early detection and treatment of psychological disturbances serves as a constructive influence on the child's current and subsequent personal and social adaptation. The clinical evidence of the personnel involved in this program is that the TNG in providing a corrective emotional experience is an effective mode of intervention." This book presents the background, nature, techniques, and implications of the TNG program.

Phyllis Brusiloff was the principal investigator of a national institute of mental health grant, replicating the program in four New York City day care centers. She also consulted to the Early Childhood Division of North Carolina and lectures across the country for programs in psychology, psychiatry, and early childhood education.
Mary Jane Witenberg was the epitome of a sensitive, supportive nursery school teacher who enhanced the lives of all the children in her classrooms.
Dr. Clarice Kestenbaum, who wrote the introduction, is currently Professor of Clinical Psychiatry emeritus and Training Director emeritus in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Emerging Child is still an integral part of her curriculum.

Background and Development of the Hudson Guild's Therapeutic Nursery Program
We Find Each Other
A Place to Work-A Place to Play
The Doll Corner
The Doctor Kit
The Water Table
The Block Corner
The Punching Bag
Clay
The Dart Board
Balls
Books
The Mini-World
Case Histories-Atypical Behavior
Primitive, Motor-driven, Self-destructive Harry
Deprived, Infantile Carmella
Depressed, Constricted, Withdrawn Rhoda
Sue
Infantile, Negative, Oppositional Seth
Aggressive, Volitive, Poor Impulse Control
Duane
Terry
Juan
Follow-up Contact with Schools