Desenvolvimento infantil: um olhar sobre crianças que frequentam uma creche.

Abstract

Introduction: The child's growth and development processes are important health indicators. Child development includes increasing the individual's ability to perform increasingly complex functions. Therefore, the follow-up of the child in the first two years of life is of fundamental importance, because it is at this stage of extrauterine life that the nervous tissue grows and matures, and is therefore more subject to injuries. However, it is at this time that the child responds best to the therapies and stimuli received from the environment, due to their cerebral plasticity. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the development of children attending a municipal nursery in the city of Cuité / PB. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study that was carried out in the period from March to April, 2017, with 51 children aged 0 to 36 months, duly enrolled, attending the institution. At the time of the interview, the mother or primary caregiver presented the child's health record. In order to evaluate the children, the instrument for monitoring child development was used, present in the Child Health Handbook, and the application of a socio-demographic and health information form, answered by the mother or primary caregiver. The analysis was descriptive. Results: 51.98% of the 51 children evaluated were classified as Adequate Development with a Risk Factor (31.37%), considering the risk factors, phenotypic changes and developmental milestones for age). Adequate development, 15.69% Likely developmental delay and 1.96% Alert for child development. Among the risk factors, the presence of some problems in pregnancy, childbirth and birth, and the presence of family members with disabilities or mental illness are highlighted. There are a number of factors that may interfere with the full development of children. Therefore, it is necessary to supervise development with a qualified professional look, especially structurally adequate services to provide comprehensive care for the child, family and community. Final considerations: It is necessary to reflect on the quality of care that is being provided, when it comes to assessing children's development, in view of the importance of promoting their potential. In this sense, it is emphasized that the findings can contribute to the direction of new research about the subject matter.