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This is a descriptive-developmental comparative form of research. Developmental performances between preterm and full-term preschoolers were compared using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II. Using this tool, four areas of functioning were assessed in the respondents which are Personal-Social, Fine Moto-Adaptive, Language, and Gross-Motor.

The respondents were 30 preterm and 30 full-term preschoolers aging 3-6 years old whose birthday are from January 2002 until 2005. These preschoolers were enrolled from different schools throughout Iligan City in both private and public. The results of the four areas of development are interpreted through comparison whereas the z-test was used to acquire general result of the DDST II.

The results of the study showed that more full-term preschoolers had normal results in the developmental screening test compared with their preterm counterparts. Preschoolers who were born preterm have least development in the Fine Motor-Adaptive followed by the Language aspect only.

It also showed that developmental performance of the preschoolers towards the test is dependent on the status upon birth of the preschoolers, and there is a relationship between them.

In addition, the association between Denver鈥檚 interpretation of their results and status upon birth were considered to be not statistically significant for full-term and preterm preschoolers on their personal-social, gross motor, and language aspects of development. While for the Fine Motor-Adaptive, the association between Denver鈥檚 interpretation of their results and status upon birth is considered to be statistically significant for full-term and preterm preschoolers. Moreover, almost all preterm and full-term preschoolers had shown typical behaviors as reported by their parents during the test. Almost all full-term and preterm preschoolers are usually and always compliant to the test. Both of them are mildly fearful of the test and had appropriate attention span. Some of the preterm preschoolers were alert during the test, but an equal number of preterm were also seriously disoriented to their surroundings, whereas most full-term preschoolers were somewhat disinterested to the surrounding during the test. Furthermore, the association between Denver鈥檚 interpretation of their results and status upon birth were considered to be not statistically significant for full-term and preterm preschoolers on their typical behaviors, compliance, fearfulness, and attention span behaviors of the preschoolers towards the test. Whereas, status upon birth it is dependent in terms of interest in the surroundings behaviors of the preschoolers towards the test.

Finally, there is no significant difference between full-term and preterm preschoolers with regards to their personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor aspects.