Mother's attitude towards child's health education and play in ICDS and non-ICDS areas.

To lay the foundation for proper physical and psychological development of children is one of the stated objectives of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, which is operational in India since 1975-76. This objective can not be achieved unless a positive change in maternal attitude is accomplished. The present investigation was conducted in an oldest project area of India to assess this change using an adjacent Non-ICDS area as control. Majority of the mothers in both the areas were apathetic towards the health, education and play of their children. Nevertheless one encouraging trend was also observed. Significantly higher number of mothers in ICDS area had positive attitude in all the three variables in comparison to mothers in Non-ICDS area. It appears that ICDS Scheme has given the start but to have more acceptable answers, in depth investigations at national level are needed.