Perception of association between normal development and environmental stimulation by mothers of children in the first three years of life

Objective: To evaluate the perception of mothers with children aged zero to three years old on the association between environmental stimulation and normal development of these children assisted at a Health Unit in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Northeast Brazil, and to identify the level of maternal understanding on the stimulation of the family environment in which the child is inserted. Methods: Qualitative research that enrolled 15 mothers of children aged zero to three years old treated in the Health Unit Antonio Carlos Reis, Cidade Olimpica, in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil, from October 2009 to March 2010. Data collection instruments were medical records, semi-structured interviews applied in household with parents, participant observations, and home visits. Endereco para correspondencia: Luciane Maria O. Brito Praca Goncalves Dias, 21, 2o andar CEP 65020-240 – Sao Luis/MA E-mail: lucianebrito@ufma.br Fonte financiadora: O projeto foi financiado pelos proprios pesquisadores e recebeu ajuda da bolsista-autora pela Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) e pelo programa de Reestruturacao e Expansao das Universidades Federais (REUNI), de 2008 a 2010, conforme edital Edital PROEX no. 08/2008 Conflito de interesse: nada a declarar Recebido em: 28/8/2012 Aprovado em: 4/2/2013