Short communication: effects of environmental enrichment on the mental and psychomotor development of orphanage children.
A group of orphanage-reared children received extra interaction in 5-min daily sessions for 6 weeks. Their mental and psychomotor development (Bayley Scales) were compared to a matched group of infants who were subject to routines at the institution during the same period. Between-group comparisons revealed improved scores for the experimental group. Within-group comparisons indicated that the experimental group had a greater rate of improvement from pre- to post-test than the control group. The differences were present to some extent after a 6-month follow-up. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
D002657:Child Development; D002670:Child, Abandoned / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D012931:Social Environment