CRIANÇAS PRÉ-ESCOLARES NASCIDAS COM MUITO BAIXO PESO: CARACTERÍSTICAS LÚDICAS

Abstract

Introduction: The survival of children born with very low birthweight (<1,500 g), requires better knowledge of determinant aspects of their development, hence throughout their lives they present a variety of disadvantages in many spheres. Since considering playing as a revealing and significant time-space human activity, it was chosen as the strategy to observe its characteristics in this population. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the playful features (action, playful attitude and interest) of children in preschool age, with very low birth weight correlating them with their socio-economic level and perception of their parents. Methodology: This survey was based on type-series of cases, carried out with 36 children who are followed up in the Ambulatório de Seguimento do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Two different protocols were applied: an initial parental interview and the Brazilian version of Playful Behavioral Assessment (adapted by Sant'Anna, 2006). Results: The playful attitude is influenced by the extremely low birthweight and the atypical development. It was observed that the pleasure and curiosity are the most frequent features in recreation, though the sense of humor and interest for challenges were less present attitudes. Conclusion: The mother of these children referred a playful behavior and domestic environment seems to be favorable to the playful characteristics and practices hence the children have assured daily physical and affective space to their recreation.