The relationship between object play, language, and visual and motor skills in children at risk of developmental disorders between 12 and 37 months.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exploratory object play is a primary strategy in amassing knowledge about one's environment and determines the development of language skills at a later age. However, still much remains unknown about how object play is related to visual and language development in children at risk of developmental disorders. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Forty-four children at risk of developmental disorders aged 13 to 37 months took part in the study. The measurement of object play relied on observation of children manipulating novel objects. Language skills were assessed by the Mullen Scales. RESULTS: The results indicate that there is a correlation between specific object play behaviours, language and visual skills. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study support the hypothesis that the relationship between visual and language skills and object play in children at risk of developmental disorders is different in younger and older children.