Benefits For Children Research Articles

Attainment of World Health Organization physical activity recommendations by Ecuadorian children: Analysis of social and anthropometrics factors in two distinct populations.

Daily adherence to WHO recommended physical activity guidelines has multiple health benefits in children and adolescents. Limited data from low and middle-income countries are available regarding adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations. This study aims to objectively measure physical activity intensities and explore associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors related to nonadherence to the WHO minimum physical activity recommendations. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted between 2014 and 2019 in two distinct populations of Ecuador in terms of poverty and residency (Cuenca: 66% live in urban areas, and 38.2% have unsatisfied basic needs; Quininde, 76.4% live in rural areas and 91% have unsatisfied basic needs). Waist-worn accelerometers were used to measure daily physical activity, standardized questionnaires were used to assess sociodemographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status), and anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference) measurements were taken. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric factors with physical activity in each study population. The study involved 650 participants in Cuenca, with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD 2.9), and 985 children and adolescents in Quinindé, with a mean age of 8.3 years (SD 0.4). In both settings, boys were more likely than girls (Cuenca: adj. OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.17-4.39; Quinindé adj. OR 5.63, 95% CI 4.03-7.85) to achieve the WHO physical activity guidelines. More affluent participants were much less likely to meet this recommendation than their poorer counterparts in both settings. In Cuenca, a higher waist circumference was inversely associated with meeting WHO daily physical activity recommendation (adj. OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), whereas in Quinindé, adherence to WHO guidelines was more likely in non-Mestizo than Mestizo children (adj. OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.07). The findings suggest that anthropometric differences and sociodemographic disparities influence the attainment of WHO physical activity recommendations in Ecuadorian children.

An examination of food insecurity among Canadian Aboriginal people

Background Food insecurity is a significant problem affecting many Indigenous people in Canada. This paper examines the prevalence, causes, and effects of food insecurity among Aboriginal populations. Methods Using a review of peer-reviewed articles, government reports, policy evaluations, and data from Statistics Canada, it highlights how factors such as remoteness, mental illness, traditional food consumption patterns, and socioeconomic conditions contribute to food insecurity. The paper also discusses existing policies, such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and Nutrition North Canada (NNC), which are designed to address this issue. Additionally, it offers policy recommendations, including improving supply chain efficiency, monitoring subsidy programs, reevaluating eligibility issues associated with the NNC, providing support to improve access to existing government policies, and dismantling racist structures through initiatives such as Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028. Results One important link made in the study is how educational attainment and income levels among Indigenous people are a reflection of structural injustices that lead to greater vulnerability to food insecurity, as well as the effectiveness of government policies designed to mitigate food insecurity. Conclusions The study emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach that combines modern strategies with traditional Indigenous values to build resilience against food insecurity. Addressing these factors can enhance the impact of policies targeted at effectively reducing vulnerability and improving food security among Indigenous communities in Canada.

Identification of Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy in Three Administrative Data Sources Among Medicaid-Funded Births in California.

Administrative data sources are used to describe the epidemiology of chronic hypertension in pregnancy and its consequences. Differences in identification across sources may affect research estimates. We compared identification of chronic hypertension in birth certificate records, hospital discharge records, and Medi-Cal claims in the same individuals. We used data from 820 140 2016-2020 California Medi-Cal covered births. We identified chronic hypertension on birth certificates using the prepregnancy hypertension check box and in hospital discharge records and Medi-Cal claims using ICD codes. We compared the prevalence of chronic hypertension and identified predictors of agreement. We also compared absolute and relative estimates of racial/ethnic disparities in chronic hypertension and associations with neonatal outcomes. The prevalence of chronic hypertension was 0.7% in birth records, 2.1% in hospital discharge records, and 3.9% in Medi-Cal claims. There was low to fair agreement between birth certificate records and hospitalization records (kappa = 0.36) and Medi-Cal claims (kappa = 0.25). Characteristics associated with the worst agreement were eligibility for Women Infant and Children benefits, US-born, and normal body mass index. Estimates of the relative risk for racial/ethnic disparities and associations with preterm birth and SGA age at delivery were similar across sources. Estimates of risk differences were larger in hospitalization and Medi-Cal claims data. Reliance on birth certificate data may contribute to underestimated prevalence estimates and biased causal estimates. Epidemiologic research and public health surveillance of chronic hypertension and its consequences should incorporate data from multiple data sources to improve validity of estimates.

The ‘Welsh way’, outdoor learning within the primary curriculum: a ‘fringe add-on or mainstream pedagogical practice’?

The increasingly robust evidence base from across the globe highlights a range of potential benefits for children in engaging with outdoor environments including increased physical development, improved mental health and wellbeing, increased resilience and higher levels of engagement. However, children’s access to outdoor environments may be limited by factors such as a lack of available ‘safe’ spaces, concerns such as ‘stranger danger’ and a focus on more structured extra-curricular activities during ‘out of school’ hours. We suggest that schools therefore play a key role in providing opportunities for all children to engage in outdoor environments through outdoor play and learning. This paper provides a reflection of key policy and curriculum changes over the last 25 years in relation to outdoor learning within Wales. It identifies that professional learning is a key factor in ensuring that all primary school educators appreciate the value of outdoor learning. It highlights the need for consistency across primary school settings so that all children within Wales have access to high quality outdoor learning experiences as part of mainstream pedagogical practice. Moreover, it proposes that as we look forward to the next 25 years, accountability should be afforded via the Estyn inspection framework.

Integracja ekonomiczna imigrantów z Ukrainy w Polsce w kontekście trendów demograficznych

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and then in 2022 was associated with an influx of immigrants to Poland, unprecedented in recent history, most of whom found employment in Poland relatively quickly. The article aims to examine the factors influencing employment and declarations regarding the intention to remain in Poland permanently among various groups of immigrants from Ukraine remaining in Poland. Groups of men and women were analysed, as well as the division into refugees (forced immigrants) related to the full-scale war that began in 2022 and previous economic immigrants. It has been confirmed tha among all immigrants a very good knowledge of the Polish language has a positive impact on employment and declarations of settlement in Poland. However, the analyses confirm that the same factors often have different impacts on people belonging to different analysed groups. For example, knowledge of the Polish language was essential for finding work for female refugees. Still, it was not important to take up work by voluntary immigrants who arrived before the war. No negative impact of child benefits on the employment of forced immigrants was found, but in the case of previous immigrants, these benefits were associated with a significantly lower probability of employment. The differences in motivations of different groups of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland are important from the point of view of policies facilitating the economic integration of immigrants in Poland. They are also important for predicting the propensity for settlement migration in Poland or potential returns to Ukraine in the future

Towards an ethics of pronatalism in South Korea (and beyond)

East Asian countries such as South Korea have recently made headlines for experimenting with different methods to incentivise people to have (more) children, in a bid to reverse declining birth...

Protection of child influencers: international experience and ways of regulation in Ukraine

In today’s world, children are becoming more and more influential by actively creating content on social media. This trend is growing rapidly, as young influencers can reach millions and influence the behavior of their audience. While this can lead to significant financial benefits for both children and their families, it also raises serious concerns about their legal protection and overall health - both physical and mental. Given the widespread use of social media, careful consideration of this situation is needed, as those who influence children are often exposed to environments that may be detrimental to their well- being. In view of these challenges, there is an urgent need to develop and implement effective legislation that guarantees the protection of children’s rights, ensures proper working conditions and protects them from various forms of exploitation. This article addresses the important issue of regulating the influence on children, which is becoming increasingly relevant as the influence of social media expands. Young influencers on the Internet face numerous risks, including exploitation, manipulation by parents or companies, as well as the pressure of overwork and psychological stress due to a demanding schedule. The article offers a comparative analysis of legislative measures taken by France and the United States that have begun to address these issues. The key aspects of legal protection for children involved in the creation of commercial content are explored, such as limiting working hours, ensuring access to education, providing psychological support, and promoting financial transparency. The study aims to emphasize the need to create an international framework for the regulation of child labor in the digital sphere and to offer recommendations for improving both national and international legislation. The article proposes to create specialized institutions to monitor compliance with legislation that protects children’s rights to leisure, education and personal development.

Locating the evidence for children and young people social prescribing: Where to start? A scoping review protocol.

It is estimated that disruptions to life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in the number of children and young people suffering from mental health issues globally. In England one in four children experienced poor mental health in 2022. Social prescribing is gaining traction as a systems-based approach, which builds upon person-centered methods, to refer children and young people with non-clinical mental health issues to appropriate community assets. Recognition of social prescribing benefits for children's mental health is increasing, yet evidence is limited. Inconsistent terminology and variation of terms used to describe social prescribing practices across the literature hinders understanding and assessment of social prescribing's impact on children's mental health. This scoping review thus aims to systematically identify and analyse the various terms, concepts and language used to describe social prescribing with children and young people across the wider health and social care literature base. The scoping review will be undertaken using a six-stage framework which includes: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, collating, summarising and reporting the results, and consultation. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PsychInfo, Social Policy Practice, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane library and Joanna Briggs), alongside evidence from grey literature, hand search, citation tracking, and use of expert correspondence will be included in the review to ensure published and unpublished literature is captured. Data extraction will be carried out by two reviewers using a predefined form to capture study characteristics, intervention descriptions, outcomes, and key terms used to report social prescribing for children and young people. No formal quality appraisal or risk of bias evaluation will be performed, as this scoping review aims to map and describe the literature. Data will be stored and managed using the Rayaan.ai platform and a critical narrative of the common themes found will be included.

A Nature-Based Intervention and Mental Health of Schoolchildren

Nature-based therapeutic or preventive interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but their effectiveness for improving mental health is not well documented. To investigate the effectiveness of the Open Sky School Program (École à Ciel Ouvert), a 12-week nature-based intervention for elementary schoolchildren in grades 5 and 6, for reducing mental health symptoms. This 2-arm, cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted from February 27 to June 16, 2023, in French-language elementary schools in Quebec, Canada, with green space within 1 km. Participants were teachers and students in grades 5 and 6. In the intervention group, for 2 hours per week for 12 weeks, classes were taught outdoors in a nearby park or wooded area. Teachers were encouraged to engage students in basic subjects and in 10 or more mental health activities (mindfulness, philosophy, and/or art therapy). Control group schools conducted classes as usual. The primary outcome was change in student mental health (internalizing and externalizing symptoms, social problems) based on teacher- and student-reported 30-item Social Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) scores (3-point scale) from baseline to the immediate postintervention follow-up, assessed in per-protocol and intent-to-treat mixed-model analyses. Secondary outcomes were student self-reported changes in depressive symptoms, positive or negative affect, pro-environmental efforts and/or attitudes, and nature connectedness. A total of 33 schools participated (53 teachers, 1015 students), including 16 schools (25 teachers, 515 students) in the intervention group and 17 schools (28 teachers, 500 students) in the control group. Student mean (SD) age was 10.9 (0.75) years; 507 (50.7%) were girls. Per-protocol and intent-to-treat mixed-model analyses showed no differences in mental health symptom change between groups; for example, the adjusted mean difference in SBQ scores between the intervention and control groups for externalizing symptoms was -0.04 (95% CI, -0.13 to 0.04) in the intent-to-treat analysis and -0.06 (95% CI, -0.16 to 0.04) in the per-protocol analysis. Post hoc analyses revealed low mental health symptoms at baseline, with low variability. Slightly greater reductions in symptoms were observed in the intervention group, but only for children with higher mental health symptoms at baseline (P < .05 for interaction). For example, for children with internalizing symptoms 1 SD above the mean at baseline, internalizing symptoms decreased by 0.38 SD (mean change, -0.15; P < .001) in the intervention group vs the control group. In this large cluster randomized clinical trial in daily-life elementary school settings, 12 weeks of classes in green space for 2 hours per week did not reduce mental health symptoms in students aged 10 to 12 years in either the per-protocol or the intent-to-treat analysis. However, this low-cost, safe outdoor intervention may provide unmeasured or longer-term benefits for children with higher risk of mental health symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05662436.

Pilot study protocol evaluating the impact of telerobotics interactions with autistic children during a Denver intervention on communication skills using single-case experimental design

IntroductionFor several years, studies have been conducted on the contribution of social robots as an intervention tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One of the early intervention models...

Mothers’ Parenting Behaviours, Strain, Enjoyment and Subsequent Childbearing

Modern parenting is both emotionally costly and rewarding. It is also more intensive than before and requires significant time and effort, particularly from mothers. Emotional costs and benefits of children are important to fertility decisions, and they may be linked with a mother’s parenting behaviours. Using a sample of 4402 partnered first-time mothers from the UK Household Longitudinal Study waves 1 to 9 (2009–2018), this study investigated the association between mothers’ parenting behaviours, changes in the levels of reported strain or enjoyment of everyday activities and second-birth transition. A decline in enjoyment formed a negative association with second-birth risk. The frequency of participation in dinner with the child and in leisure activities with the child formed significant associations with second-birth risk but only for selected segments of the population. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of these associations and the socioeconomic differences within them.

Paid Family and Medical Leave: Policy Statement.

Paid family and medical leave (PFML) helps parents balance the competing obligations of work, personal illness, and family. PFML is needed when adding a new member of the family or when a family member or individual becomes acutely or chronically ill. The United States lacks universally available PFML, despite the benefits for child and family health and well-being. Universally available PFML is a key component of improving the health of children and families and is critically needed in the United States.

Long-term effects of unintended pregnancies carried to term on mothers and children

Abstract Background Research on psychological effects of unintended pregnancies that are carried to term presents mixed results, and evidence on long-term associations is scarce. The aim of the current study was to examine effects of unintended pregnancies carried to term on both mothers and children, up to 16 years postpartum. Methods This study is based on the Dutch population-based birth cohort study ‘Amsterdam Born Children and their Development’ (ABCD-study), which included pregnant people in 2003 (n = 7784) and is still following these mothers and their children. Structural Equation Models were analyzed per time-point, examining associations between unintended pregnancy and maternal psychosocial distress, and children’s internalizing- and externalizing problems, while controlling for co-occurring risks. Further, mediating effects via maternal mental health and bonding on children were assessed. Results Around 5 years postpartum, pregnancy mistiming was positively associated to maternal psychological distress. Antenatal psychological distress was a much stronger predictor of maternal psychological distress than unintended pregnancy. Pregnancy mistiming was a significant predictor of internalizing and externalizing problems and unwanted pregnancy of internalizing problems in the children from these pregnancies, around 5 years postpartum. These associations were mostly mediated by maternal mental health and poorer maternal bonding. All associations were no longer present at 12 and 16 years postpartum. Conclusions Unintended pregnancies often coincide with maternal mental health problems, and results showed that associations between unintended pregnancy and both mother’s and children’s psychosocial problems are strongly influenced by maternal mental health. Therefore it is important to improve maternal mental health for the benefit of both mother and child, rather than on the isolated effect of unintended pregnancy. Key messages • Carrying an unintended pregnancy to term impacts psychological health in both mothers and their children up to 5 years but no longer at 12 or 16 years postpartum. • The effects of unintended pregnancy on psychological health in mothers and children are mostly explained by maternal mental health and bonding, so the focus should be on improving these.

Estimated lifetime impact of a school-based intervention for mental health: A microsimulation study

Abstract Background The prevalence of childhood mental health problems is increasing. School-based interventions have the potential to reduce poor mental health and mental health inequalities. Our aim was to estimate the long-term costs and benefits of the Incredible Years Teacher® Classroom Management (IY-TCM) intervention in primary schools compared to no intervention. Methods LifeSim, an existing microsimulation model, was used to estimate the lifetime costs and benefits of IY-TCM by linking short-term changes in SDQ based on a previous trial in primary schools (Cluster RCT: 2075 children aged 4-9 years with a 30-month follow-up) to long-term health, social, economic and wellbeing outcomes. Benefits were measured in quality adjusted life years and wellbeing adjusted life years. We examined subgroup based on deprivation, conduct scores and parental depression. Results Microsimulation modelling estimated small gains in lifetime outcomes including reduced conduct disorder in adolescence and depression in adulthood. Estimates indicate IY-TCM could be cost-effective with a large amount of uncertainty (Net monetary benefit (NMB)=£21, Estimated CI = -£195, £240). IY-TCM was estimated to be more cost-effective for those with high deprivation (NMB = £231, Estimation CI - -£99, £231) and high conduct problem scores (NMB=£315, Estimated CI = £45, £483). Total net social benefit for a typical year size group was estimated to be £111m. Conclusions IY-TCM could be cost-effective compared to no intervention with a large estimated social benefit supporting wider implementation of IY-TCM, but results indicate a large amount of uncertainty. Greater benefits and higher certainty of cost-effectiveness for children with conduct problems and those living in a deprived area suggest IY-TCM has the potential to reduce mental health inequalities and may be more cost-effective for schools with higher deprivation and/or a high prevalence of conduct problems. Key messages • The Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management intervention for mental health in primary schools could be considered cost-effective but there is a large amount of uncertainty. • Greater benefits for children with conduct problems and those living in a deprived area indicates the intervention has the potential to reduce mental health inequalities.

Communication Intervention in South Africa: Advocating for the Listening and Spoken Language Approach.

Adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines is critical for the timely identification and management of infants with hearing impairment. Early intervention specifically focusses on family-centred communication interventions, of which the Listening and Spoken Language-South Africa (LSL-SA) approach is available for children with hearing impairment in South Africa. Studies have evidenced significant benefits for children with hearing impairment enrolled in LSL-SA compared to those enrolled in Traditional Speech-Language Therapy (TSLT), that is, age-equivalent communication outcomes, shorter duration of therapy until discharge, meritorious academic performance and integration into a hearing society. Despite these positive outcomes related to the LSL-SA approach, significant contextual barriers hinder effective implementation nationwide.Contribution:The successful implementation of EHDI guidelines in South Africa hinges on overcoming barriers through tailored healthcare strategies and contextualised delivery. Adapting frameworks such as LSL-SA to fit the local context is crucial for advancing equitable access to EHDI services, positively impacting children with hearing impairment and their families. This article highlights the systemic challenges in South Africa in optimising resources by adopting linguistically appropriate and culturally responsive early intervention approaches to champion hearing healthcare initiatives. Effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders is essential for enhancing the uptake of EHDI guidelines and translating policy into impactful communication interventions. Implementing the core principles of the LSL-SA approach will not only ensure access to this specialised service for suitable candidates but may also alleviate specific barriers to EHDI implementation within TSLT approaches.

I Prefer to Look at an Animal Rather than at a Human: Visual Attention of Neurotypical Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) During One-Time First Exposure to an Assistance Dog

Interacting with animals often provides numerous benefits for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One potential explanation for this is that children with ASD exhibit particular visual attention to animals. This study aimed to characterize the visual attention patterns towards humans and animals in children with ASD compared to neurotypical (NT) children during one-time first exposure to an assistance dog. Forty children participated (18 ASD, 22 NT). The interventions were videorecorded. Three categories of visual attention (gaze, glance, and mutual gaze) directed towards assistance dogs and human professionals were coded using ethological methods. Both the children with ASD and the NT children gazed more frequently at the assistance dog than at the professional. However, although infrequently, both groups shared more mutual gazes with the professional than with the assistance dog. Both the NT children and the children with ASD preferred to gaze rather than to glance at, or share mutual gazes with, the assistance dogs. The attention patterns of the NT children towards the professionals were consistent, whereas those of the children with ASD were not. Statistical linear models revealed that a child’s status (ASD/NT) was the only factor influencing the frequency and duration of the visual behaviors observed. These results confirm that individuals with ASD exhibit particularly focused attention towards animals.

Unmasking Health and Inclusivity: Health Benefits of Traditional Indian Games for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disability

Abstract Background: Physical activity plays a vital role in enhancing the health benefits and decreasing sedentary behaviors in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Adapted physical education by means of traditional games might have the potential to maximize the health benefits of children with neurodevelopmental disability. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the value of traditional games in imparting health benefits in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Methodology: After a detailed review, the research paradigm has been framed to list and compile the traditional games of South India using Nisaratana Sangasubana framework to enhance health benefits for children with neurodevelopmental disability. Data Synthesis: The location of the data, the data-gathering, data-storage, data analysis (using modified Roper and Shapira strategies), and validation of data are done. Reflective Remarks: Finally, the list of traditional games which potentially have health benefits for children with neurodevelopmental disability has been obtained.

Efficacy of high-dose vitamin D supplementation vs. solifenacin or standard urotherapy for overactive bladder dry in children: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

To investigate the efficacy of high-dose vitamin D supplementation (VDS) plus standard urotherapy (SU) in managing pediatric overactive bladder dry (OAB-dry), specifically in children with (1) vitamin D levels between 20 and 35 ng/mL and (2) heightened baseline symptom severity. In this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, eligible children (n = 303) were assigned to 8 weeks of VDS + SU group, solifenacin (SOL) + SU group, or SU alone group. The primary outcome was voiding frequency; secondary outcomes included urgency, nocturia, quality of life (QoL), pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms scores, and patient satisfaction. Among 303 participants, 197 (65%) had vitamin D levels between 20 and 35 ng/mL, and 119 (39%) exhibited heightened baseline symptom severity. In both subgroups, VDS + SU resulted in significantly greater improvements in voiding frequency compared to SOL + SU and SU alone. In the vitamin D subgroup (20-35 ng/mL), the median difference in voids/day between VDS + SU and SOL + SU was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.0 to 3.0; P = 0.003) and 3.2 compared to SU alone (P < 0.001). In the heightened symptom subgroup, the median difference was 3.0 (95% CI, 2.0 to 4.0; P < 0.001) vs. SOL + SU and 5.0 (95% CI, 4.0 to 6.0; P < 0.001) vs. SU alone. The VDS + SU group generally outperformed the other groups in various secondary outcome measures. High-dose VDS plus SU has significant therapeutic benefit in children with OAB-dry in those with vitamin D levels between 20 and 35 ng/mL and with more severe symptoms, compared to SOL + SU or SU alone.

Transforming lives in autism spectrum disorder treatment through acupuncture: A case report

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and narrow interests. Given the high prevalence of ASD and the lack of specific pharmacological treatments, there is a pressing need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Acupuncture has shown promise in improving the clinical symptoms of ASD. This report presents the case of a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with ASD, intellectual developmental disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and articulation disorder. She underwent Liu&amp;rsquo;s pediatric neurological rehabilitation acupuncture therapy (PNRAT) for over 2 years. The treatment involved specific scalp acupuncture techniques targeting cognitive and linguistic rehabilitation. After the treatment course, the patient showed significant improvements in cognitive, linguistic, social, and behavioral symptoms, transitioning from limited verbal communication and marked social difficulties to thriving in a mainstream school setting. This case highlights the potential of Liu&amp;rsquo;s PNRAT as an effective intervention for ASD. The observed improvements suggest that acupuncture may offer valuable therapeutic benefits for children with ASD, contributing to the growing interest in its potential as an adjunct therapy. Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and explore synergies with conventional therapies.

Promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) in settings through emotion coaching practice: a model of engagement for practitioner use

ABSTRACT Emotion Coaching (EC) is a universal, relational approach focussed on promoting emotional wellbeing through attuned relationships. Adults coregulate children to understand different emotions they experience, why they occur and how to manage them. EC was introduced into UK educational settings in 2010 to promote children’s social and emotional learning (SEL) and build resiliency. With evidence of child and practitioner benefit, it is an adaptable ‘technique’ to manage dysregulated children and emotional situations. This paper, reports on educational practitioners’ EC experience. An inductive study, using semi-structured interviews, captured experiences and perceptions of 21, EC trained practitioners. Using constructivist grounded theory, analysis identified the fundamental role of the practitioner’s emotional identity and emotional awareness; recognised practice integration was influenced by practice opportunity and reflection with colleagues and acknowledged the need for managerial support to normalise and sustain EC in settings. With use, practitioner emotional awareness increased, suggesting modification in emotional identity, creating the opportunity to reaffirm, reconsider and re-engage in practice. Integration of EC practice was viewed as an ongoing journey, being described as ‘a way of being and a way of becoming’. The model of EC engagement conceptualised practice integration as a recursive cycle, starting and returning to the practitioner, with sequential, incremental stages. Through attuned child and adult interactions, EC confers, normalises and sustains symbiotic advantage. The model proposed is a practical tool, to guide planning, delivery and monitoring of practice integration.