Play into the domestic routine to promote child development: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between the incorporation of play into the domestic routine of caregivers, and the child development of children under their care. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with 129 caregiver-child dyads aged 12-23 months, living in the southern region of São Paulo. Child development was assessed using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire-3, and the incorporation of play into the domestic through a questionnaire and filming of the dyads in activities related to the domestic routine. Results: Almost all the caregivers were the mother (98%), who, when answering the questionnaire, reported incorporating play into their domestic routine (93%), however in the video, only one third played with the child (34%). There was a positive association between playing in moments of domestic routine and domains of child development in children aged 18 months or less. Conclusions: A positive association was found between the incorporation of play into the domestic routine and child development.