Objective: Premature babies may encounter problems at different levels in language, cognitive, social-emotional, relation and motor development. The developmental status of these infants is not only associated with their birth weight, gestational age, perinatal risks and health status but also with individualized nurturing care and appropriate stimulation provided at home, socioeconomic status of the family and maternal education level in the literature. It is suggested to support the development of high-risk premature infants by providing appropriate stimulation in the first years of life because of the rapid development of the brain in the early years. Premature infants are at high risk for developmental difficulties and hence it is important to question the stimulations provided in the home environment during the follow up visits. The purpose of this study was to determine the responsive and stimulating home environment provided by the families and highlight the need for developmental support for premature infants.

Material and Methods: Premature babies (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks) and their families who presented at the Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Developmental Pediatrics Unit for the first time for developmental evaluation were asked questions to determine the stimuli provided at home. Appropriate and inappropriate stimuli and the frequency and factors affecting them were assessed

Keywords: Stimulating home environment, Prematurity