The use of tools by children with haemophilia

Eight mothers with their 3.1- to 5.7-year-old children with haemophilia and eight control mothers with their children were videotaped while playing three games using a knife, a pair of scissors and a wooden hammer, and two games without tools. Although the children with haemophilia were less proficient, took less care, and were more excited when handling sharp tools than the control children, their mothers did not correct their children when they used a knife incompetently and carelessly. It is recommended that counselling should emphasize the deliberate preparation and training of the haemophilic child in the use of tools which are potentially dangerous.