Studies have shown a link between the way the adults think and the forms they become related with the children. This study had as objective to know the mothers and teachers' beliefs about the development of the child who frequents the day-care center to identify if the beliefs had characteristics of abilities or dysfunctions. Twenty-eight adults had participated in this study (16 mothers and 12 teachers). To collect the data it was utilized the focal group and to interpret them, the analysis of the content. The results had pointed that the participants have the same belief (environmentalist) about the development, but have different conceptions about the direction where the familiar context and/or of the day-care center influences in the development. The analysis indicates that the initial and continued formation of the professionals needs to contemplate specific aspects of the children development so the more adjusted beliefs can be constructed and shared with the families of children who frequent collective environments.
belief; day-care center; mother; teachers