Preliminary results on the environmental and affective-bonds conditions provided to babies by preschools

Abstract

This article presents preliminary results of a study carried out in preschools with infants younger than one year of age. The model focuses on the contributions regarding environment and bonding that these institutions provide to infants and the implications that these have for child development. The study was carried on with five babies of seven months from four preschool institutions that look after the children of working parents. The instruments include tests of child development: PRUNAPE and EAIS (Argentine Scale of Sensory-Motor Intelligence). As well as observations, films and interviews to teachers / parents. The results show the need of these institutions for a space to think and rethink everyday practices, the roles of adult caregivers, the way in which the environment is organized, and the affective bonds formed with the children. All this in favor of the prevention of mental health of the children and the adult caregivers.