The main bonds of infants in early childhood are established in the home environment. The home is fundamental for providing stimuli that can influence the development of the child. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a low income community in the outskirts of the city of São Luís to analyze the provision of stimuli in the home environment of 2-year-old children and the potential association with retardation in child development. A random sample of 176 2-year-old children registered in community outpatient healthcare departments was assessed. Two validated instruments were used, namely the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory and the Gesell Measurement of Development Scale. Data were gathered in the homes. Logistic regressions were carried out taking the Home Inventory (low or average/high) and the Gesell Scale (suspicion of delay/normal) as outcome variables. Low family income, low maternal and paternal schooling, number of residents, number of children < 5 years old and small number of rooms in the house were considered risk factors for low Home scores, which were associated with the suspicion of development delay. The quality and quantity of environmental stimuli in the family context proved to be essential for the development of the children evaluated.
Home environment; Child development
