Children development evaluation in achild day-care center via the Denver II scale

Abstract

This study aims to assess the social and personal development, fine-motor adaptive skills, language and gross motor skills in children between 0 to 2 years old in the Presbyterian Nursery Student Center. The study was carried out in March 2008 in the city of Coronel Fabriciano, Vale do Aço, in the state of Minas Gerais. It is a descriptive study with a quantitative data analysis. Data was collected via a complete although adapted Denver II Scale. The test was applied to 25 children from the above institution. Children's responses to the test were confirmed by information provided by parents and nursery staff. Their development was classified as abnormal, normal or suspect according to Frankenburg et al.,9 cited by Sulkes.³ 22 (88%) of the children were classified as "Normal" ; 3 (12%) presented a "suspect or uncertain" developmental delay, none were classified as "abnormal" in the language area. Although the study's results revealed no developmental delays, the research functioned as a warning sign to parents, nursery personnel and healthcare professionals about the importance of an early diagnosis and basic stimulation for the prevention and recovery from a development disorder.