Comparative Study about Impact of Inadequate Psychomotor Stimulation on Neuro-Development in Pre-School Children in Rural India

Abstract

Introduction: In a rural, underprivileged community, multiple factors including poverty, non-stimulating home environment and lack of parental awareness about early childhood development and early intervention lead to inadequate ‘nurturing care’ for young children, who with genetic predisposition for typical brain development may not reach their developmental potential. The present study attempts to compare and study the developmental differences between children who had adequate stimulation and those who did not during preschool period.

Methods: Developmental assessment of 51 healthy children, aged    3.5 - 4.5 years with poor psychomotor stimulation (study group) and an age-matched group of 27 children attending pre-school (control group) from the same community was conducted and compared.  Developmental screening was done using the DDST II screening tool.

Results: The incidence of developmental delay in the study group was significantly higher; deficits were most marked in personal-social and language domain. Concept of colours, counting objects and drawing were conspicuously absent in most children.

Conclusion: Improving home environment, provision of learning opportunity with available resources, and generation of awareness  among parents regarding early child development and early intervention are simple, low-cost measures to improve the developmental trajectory in these children.