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Cited by 85Child Welfare and AdoptionInfant Development and Preterm CareChild Therapy and Development

“Not by bread alone”: Impact of a structured 90-minute play session on development of children in an orphanage

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Taneja, V., Sriram, S., Beri, R.S., Sreenivas, V., Aggarwal, R., Kaur, R.·2002·Child: Care, Health and Development
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2002.00246.x
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Abstract

Background and objectives In developing countries, caring for the large number of babies in orphanages is very hard work. Whereas the physical needs of most of the children are met, play often gets neglected. Studies have repeatedly shown that babies in such institutionalized settings suffer from severe psychomotor retardation. The aim of this project was to develop an intervention programme of structured play. We hypothesized that such an intervention would result in acceleration of psychosocial development in otherwise healthy institutionalized children. Design Prospective longitudinal. Setting Mother Teresa’s Orphanage, run by Missionaries of Charity. Subject and methods All 30 children in the orphanage aged 6 months–2.5 years, were assessed for their Motor, Mental and Social Quotients, using the Indian adaptation of Bailey’s Scale of Infant Development(DASII) and the Vineland’s Social Maturity Scale. A structured ‘Regime of Play’ was then built into the routine of the orphanage. A repeat developmental assessment was performed at the end of 3 months to assess the impact. Results Out of the original cohort of 30, 19 children were available for post‐intervention assessments. The remainder were adopted before their assessments. Their mean Motor Quotient rose from 63.7 to 81.7, mean Mental Quotient rose from 65.8 to 89.6 and the mean Social Quotient rose from 61.9 to 91.3, a gain of 18, 23 and 30 points respectively (p < 0.0001). There was also an overall change in the environment of the orphanage. Children became more active, playful, responsive and independent. Contrary to what caretakers assumed, their workload actually decreased. The responsiveness in the children awakened as a result of play, acted as a positive feedback for caretakers to continue the play sessions. Conclusions This study shows that short daily sessions of play can significantly improve the development of children in such institutions. It is vital to remember that children grow ‘Not by Bread Alone’.

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  • Even under the best conditions, institutional care is suboptimal because caregivers are rotating staff rather than parents and the caregiver-to-child ratio is very low.

    “institutional care, even in the best of circumstances, is suboptimal in that the caregivers are staff members, rather than parents, who rotate shifts and, due to the devastatingly low caregiver-to-child ratio, are under great pressures to cater to the physical needs of a large number of children”

    From Risk and developmental heterogeneity in previously institutionalized children (2012) · cites this paper as Taneja, et al., 2002

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Baig, L. (1995) Deinstitutionalization of children. Paper presented at the fourth workshop of Adoption Educa- tion organized by CVERA (Co-ordinating Voluntary Adoption Resource Agency), Delhi.
  2. McArtor, R. E., Iverson, D. C., Benken, D. E. et al. (1992) Physician assessment of patient motivation. American Journal of Prev Medicine, May-June, 8 (3), 147-149.
  3. Singh, A. (1993) Child care in India: an ecological perspective. ICCW Journal, 1, 14-17.
  4. Somen, S. (1986) A study of mental health status of children in orphanages at Bangalore. Indian Journal of Social Work, 2, 137-145.

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Authors
Taneja, V., Sriram, S., Beri, R. S., Sreenivas, V., Aggarwal, R., & Kaur, R.
Affiliations
  • St. Stephen’s Hospital (IN)
  • University of Delhi (IN)
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (IN)
  • Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (IN)
ORCID
Venue
Child: Care, Health and Development
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2002-01
Volume
28
Issue
1
Pages
95-100
ISSN
  • 0305-1862 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2214
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2214.2002.00246.x
OpenAlex
W2134358065
Cited by
85
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 7
FWCI
5.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 109 d)
Locations
  • Child Care Health and Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Therapy and Development
Keywords
institutionalized children, orphanages, structured play, play-based intervention, psychomotor retardation, infant development, motor development, social development (developmental psychology), cognitive development, caregiver workload, Vineland Social Maturity Scale
MeSH terms
Child Development, Child, Institutionalized, Child, Preschool, Developing Countries, Foster Home Care, Humans, India, Infant, Play Therapy, Cohort Studies, Outcome Assessment, Health Care

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