Nurseries environment and the intervention in babies' development

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate nurseries environment for low-income families and verify the impact of a cognitive-motor skill intervention on babies’ development in the large motor, fine motor, language and interaction. Participated in the study 40 babies, age between six and eight months, from ten nursery schools for low-income families. Schools groups were clustered according to the quality of the care offered; and the babies were stratify by gender and randomly assigned in intervention (n= 20) and control (n= 20) groups. The routine of the nurseries was investigated using an observational list. Babies’ gross and fine motor skills, as well as interactions and language, were assessed at the pre and post-intervention. The intervention program provided activities such as visual tracking, toy manipulation and postural control. Results demonstrated restrict physical space, opportunities to play and interaction. Educators focus attention regarding to babies’ hygiene and feed. Babies from schools with a more appropriate environment showed better performance; and the intervention influenced positively to participants’ global development. As a conclusion, educative actions and intervention strategies must be implemented at nursery schools concern primarily with infant’ development process.