Related Experiment Videos
[Evaluation of the Program of the Feeding and Language Stimulation Centers in 3 Chilean regions]
Insights
Attendance at non-traditional daycare centers (CADEL) improved psychomotor development in children aged 2-5 years. However, protein energy malnutrition and language development remained unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Early Childhood Education
Context:
- Evaluated 366 children aged 2-5 years across 22 non-traditional daycare centers (CADEL).
- Assessed physical growth (weight, height) and psychomotor development over 8 months.
- Utilized WHO/NCHS standards for growth index calculation and the TEPSI test for psychomotor evaluation.
Purpose:
- To determine the impact of attending CADEL on physical and psychomotor development in young children.
- To analyze changes in growth parameters and psychomotor skills, including coordination, motor function, and language.
- To assess the effectiveness of low-cost daycare alternatives for low-income families.
Summary:
- Children attending CADEL showed monthly weight and height increments at 72% and 90% of normal growth, respectively.
- Prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (30.8%) was unaffected, but subnormal psychomotor development decreased significantly (p<0.05).
- Improvements were noted in global psychomotor function, coordination, and motor skills, while language development showed no significant change.
Impact:
- CADEL centers offer a cost-effective solution for expanding preschool services to underserved populations.
- Findings suggest that enhanced family engagement and targeted educational activities could further improve program outcomes.
- The study highlights the potential of non-traditional daycare models to positively influence early childhood development, particularly in motor skills.
Abstract:
To evaluate the effect of attendance to a non traditional day care center ("CADEL") on physical and psychomotor development, 366 children aged 2-5 years belonging to 22 centers were studied. Weight and height were measured at 0, 4 and 8 months and weight for age, height for age and weight for height indexes were calculated from WHO/NCHS standards. Psychomotor development at the beginning of the study and 8 months latter through a standard test (TEPSI) was evaluated. Mean weight and height monthly increments were 144 +/- 83 g and 0.54 +/- 0.16 cm, 72 and 90% respectively of normal growth. Protein energy malnutrition prevalence (30.8%) was not modified but subnormal values of psychomotor development (40.9%) decreased during the study (p less than 0.05 global, coordination and motor function). Language retardation did not improve with the attendance to the program. These centers represent low cost alternatives to extended coverage of preschool services for low income families. More active family integration and reinforcement of stimulation and educational activities may improve program effectiveness.