LAUSR

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to assess global and socio-emotional development and infant’s language of caregivers by means of the third edition of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Literature points peculiarities on the institutional setting and that presence or absence of mother can impact infant’s development in several forms. Fourteen babies from zero to one year old that live at female prison and shelter – seven of each institution – took part of this research as participants. The subscales of Bayley: Cognitive, Motor, Language, Socio-emotional and Adaptive behaviour had been applicate based on caregiver and mother’s knowledgement. It was found that babies in prison setting presented higher indices in subscales than babies in shelter setting, which had a satisfactory performance only in cognition. The data indicate the maternal presence seems essential for the healthy development. Longitudinal surveys and larger samples are suggested for statistical analysis.