The exploratory behavior within a playing setting of 20 preterm newborn infants, with low weight at birth, corrected chronological age of 10 months, is evaluated. Infants were organized in groups which were differentiated according to their development risks. The sample was divided into two groups according to the infants' Denver-II Test performance, or rather, 8 infants with delayed development risks (VLBW-R) and 12 infants with normal development (VLBW-N). Systematic observation of infants' response latency and exploratory behaviors with standard toys was carried out. Results showed similarities between the groups with regard to response latency time in toy exploration, gazing direction and vocalization. However, VLBW-N infants looked significantly more at the observer, smiled more and remained more stable in the sitting position than VLBW-R infants. These behaviors facilitated toy exploration.
Preterm infants; low weight at birth; exploratory behavior
