Children's Behaviour Research Articles

Managing self-regulatory behaviour in young autistic children in the Western Cape, South Africa

Managing self-regulatory behaviour in young autistic children in the Western Cape, South Africa

Development and validation of a short dietary questionnaire for assessing obesity-related dietary behaviours in young children.

There are few short, validated tools to assess young children's obesity-related dietary behaviours, limiting the rapid screening of dietary behaviours in research and practice-based early obesity prevention. This study aimed to develop and assess the reliability and validity of a caregiver-reported short dietary questionnaire to rapidly assess obesity-related dietary behaviours in children aged 6 months to 5 years. The Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood Dietary Questionnaire (EPOCH-DQ) was developed using a rigorous process to determine content and structural validity. Three age-appropriate versions were developed for (1) infants, aged 6-12 months, (2) toddlers, aged 1-2.9 years and (3) pre-schoolers, aged 3-5 years. The questionnaire (7-15 items) measures dietary behaviours, including diet risk from non-core food and beverage intake, diet quality from vegetable frequency, bread type and infant feeding practices. Test-retest reliability was assessed from repeated administrations 1 week apart (n = 126). Internal consistency, concurrent validity (against a comparison questionnaire, the InFANT Food Frequency Questionnaire), construct validity and interpretability were assessed (n = 209). Most scores were highly correlated and significantly associated (p < 0.05) for validity (rs: 0.45-0.89, percentage agreement 68%-100%) and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.61-0.99) for diet risk, diet quality and feeding practice items. The EPOCH-DQ shows acceptable validity and reliability for screening of obesity-related behaviours of children under 5 years of age. The short length and, thus, low participant burden of the EPOCH-DQ allows for potential applications in various settings. Future testing of the EPOCH-DQ should evaluate culturally and socio-economically diverse populations and establish the predictive validity and sensitivity to detect change.

The participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in Australian trials of parenting programs for improving children's health: a scoping review.

To assess the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in trials of parenting programs in Australia; the involvement of Indigenous fathers in such studies; and whether parenting programs are designed to be culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Scoping review of peer-reviewed journal publications that report quantitative outcomes for Australian randomised control trials of parenting programs in which the participants were parents or caregivers of children under 18 years of age, and with at least one outcome related to children's health, health behaviour, or wellbeing. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases. Of 109 eligible publications, nine reported how many participants were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; three specified whether they were Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both. Two publications described specific interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; both reported consultation with Indigenous people regarding program design. Of the 15 559 participating parents in all included publications, 93 were identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. No publications noted as study limitations the absence of consultation with Indigenous people or the low participation rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The specific needs and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have not generally been considered in Australian trials of parenting programs that aim to improve the mental and physical health of children. Further, Indigenous people are rarely involved in the planning and implementation of the interventions, few of which are designed to be culturally appropriate for Indigenous people. If parenting research in Australia is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, it must include consultation with local communities, adapt interventions and research methods to the needs of the participating parents and their communities, and improve the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

Parents' Predictions and Assessment of their Children's Behaviour during their First Dental Treatment Visit

Parents' Predictions and Assessment of their Children's Behaviour during their First Dental Treatment Visit

Exploring the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adolescent cancer risk behaviours in the ALSPAC cohort

BackgroundSome modifiable risk factors for cancer originate during adolescence. While there is evidence indicating relationships between adverse childhood experiences and health risk behaviours generally, little is known about how childhood adversity influences the engagement of adolescents in cancer risk behaviours. This study aimed to determine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent cancer risk behaviours.MethodsData were collected prospectively from birth to age 18 years on children born to mothers enrolled into the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort study. Multivariable linear regression models assessed relationships of a composite exposure measure comprised of adverse childhood experiences (total number of childhood adversities experienced from early infancy until age 9 years) with multiple cancer risk behaviours. The latter was expressed as a single continuous score for tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, unsafe sex, and physical inactivity, at ages 11, 14, 16 and 18 years. Analysis was carried out on the complete case and imputation samples of 1,368 and 7,358 participants respectively.ResultsAll adolescent cancer risk behaviours increased in prevalence as the adolescents grew older, except for obesity. Each additional adverse childhood experience was associated with a 0.25 unit increase in adolescent cancer risk behaviour (95% CI 0.16–0.34; p < 0.001). Individually, parental substance misuse (β 0.64, 95% CI 0.25–1.03, p < 0.001) and parental separation (β 0.56, 95% CI 0.27–0.86, p < 0.001) demonstrated the strongest evidence of association with engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviour.ConclusionChildhood adversity was associated with a greater degree of engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviours. This finding demonstrates the need for targeted primary and secondary prevention interventions that reduce engagement across multiple cancer risk behaviours for children and adolescents who have experienced adversity in childhood, such as parental substance misuse and separation, and reduce exposure to adversity.

Sociodemographic factors, parental mental health and movement behaviours in the early years: the SUNRISE Finland study protocol

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the prevention of obesity in young children as one of its key priorities for the 21st century, and 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) play a key role in this priority. The SUNRISE Finland Study is part of the international SUNRISE Study, which examines the movement behaviours of young children in 64 low-, middle- and high-income countries. The SUNRISE Finland Study will investigate what proportion of 3- to 4-year-old children living in Finland meet the WHO global guidelines on 24-hour movement behaviours, and how that proportion and children’s motor and cognitive skills compare with children from other countries involved in the SUNRISE Study. We also aim to identify potential correlates of children’s movement behaviours, focusing on socioeconomic factors, residential environmental features, and parents’ mental health. In addition, this study will examine the associations between children’s movement behaviours, motor and cognitive skills, adiposity, and psychosocial wellbeing. Finally, we aim to establish a cohort of families who participate in the study and conduct follow-ups in the future. Methods We will recruit 1,000 children aged 3.0 to 4.9 years and their caregivers through early childhood education and care centres in Finland (50% in urban and 50% in rural areas). We will assess children’s 24-h movement behaviours using two accelerometers and a parental report. Children will perform validated tests to measure gross and fine motor skills and executive functions, and their height, weight and waist circumference will be measured. Caregivers will complete questionnaires regarding sociodemographic factors, nature visits, their own movement behaviours, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, nomophobia, social media self-control failure, and happiness, and child’s psychosocial wellbeing. Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used to examine residential environmental features. Discussion In addition to facilitating international comparisons on movement behaviours and motor and cognitive skills, the SUNRISE Finland Study will provide novel evidence on factors associated with movement behaviours in young children. The results of this study will help in planning actions to promote healthy levels of movement behaviours at an early age and equal opportunities for healthy development. Clinical Trial Number This is not a trial study.

Empathy and defender behaviour in bullying of young children: The mediating role of peer status

The present study examined the relationship between empathy and defender behaviour in young children and the mediating role of peer status. Participants were 310 children (girls = 48.1%; mean age = 66.85 months, SD = 7.04 months, age range = 52–79 months) from China. The children completed peer nominations for defender behaviour and peer status. They also responded to questions on situational empathy stories told. Following structural equation modelling, results indicated that (i) empathy positively predicted defender behaviour in young children; (ii) the relationship between empathy and defender behaviour was exclusively through peer acceptance; and (iii) peer rejection played no mediating role between empathy and defender behaviour. The results suggest that the process of empathy expression influences defender behaviour. In developing bullying interventions/preventions, early childhood education programs should focus on developing empathy in young children and should be aware of the important influence of peer acceptance in bullying behaviour.

An investigation into mothers' experiences of their children's functional tic-like behaviour and tic attacks.

This is the first study to systematically explore the lived experiences of sudden and new onset of severe functional tics from the perspective of the mother's experiences and describes their attempts to access support services in the United Kingdom. Twenty-One mothers of young people aged between 12 to 17 years with functional tic-like behaviour (FTLB) took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed gaps and inconsistencies within the process of gaining access to professional services and a lack of support for the management of tics and functional tic-like movements, in addition to highlighting the impact it had on daily family life. The themes generated included the occurrence and development of tics, the severity and intensity of symptoms, the psychological impact on the family and the need to make recommendations for a clear care pathway. Managing the impact of the FTLB and co-occurring conditions such as suicidal ideation and self-harm, as well as the physical and emotional trauma, commonly contributed to feelings of isolation and helplessness, which impacted negatively on the family's ability to function and participate in society. The findings emphasize the urgent need to create a clear management pathway for those experiencing FTLB, including the need for more professionals with relevant knowledge, to improve the dialogue with families during the referral process, whilst prioritising the treatment of anxiety and other identified mental health concerns.

Evaluation of adapted parent training for challenging behaviour in pre-school children with moderate to severe intellectual developmental disabilities: A randomised controlled trial.

There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of parenting interventions to improve disruptive behaviour in children with intellectual developmental disabilities. This clinical trial evaluated whether an adapted group parenting intervention for preschool children with intellectual developmental disabilities who display challenging behaviour is superior to treatment as usual in England. 261 children aged 30-59 months with moderate to severe intellectual developmental disabilities and challenging behaviour were randomised to either the intervention (Stepping Stones Triple P) and treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone. The primary outcome was the parent-rated Child Behaviour Checklist at 52 weeks after randomisation. A health economic evaluation was also completed. We found no significant difference between arms on the primary outcome (mean difference -4.23; 95% CI: -9.99 to 1.53; p = 0.147). However, a subgroup analysis suggests the intervention was effective for participants randomised before the COVID-19 pandemic (mean difference -7.12; 95% CI: -13.44 to -0.81; p = 0.046). Furthermore, a complier average causal effects analysis (mean difference -11.53; 95% CI: -26.97 to 3.91; p = 0.143) suggests the intervention requires participants to receive a sufficient intervention dose. The intervention generated statistically significant cost savings (-£1,057.88; 95% CI -£3,218.6 to -£46.67) but the mean point estimate in Quality Adjusted Life Years was similar in both groups. This study did not find an effect of the intervention on reducing challenging behaviour, but this may have been influenced by problems with engagement. The intervention could be considered by services as an early intervention if families are supported to attend, especially given its low cost.

Evaluation of Behaviour of Child and Acceptance of Multicoloured and Conventional Composite Materials: A Split-mouth Randomised Clinical Study

Introduction: The most crucial abilities for a Paediatric Dentist involve evaluating and managing children based on their behaviour. Children are often motivated to choose coloured restorative materials. They tend to hold their new fillings in high regard and are usually fascinated by the new materials in their oral cavity. Consequently, they are more likely to maintain the restoration, which greatly enhances their overall oral hygiene and fosters a favourable attitude towards therapy. Aim: To evaluate the behaviour of children and their acceptance of multicoloured and conventional composite materials: A randomised controlled trial. Materials and Methods: A split-mouth, single-blinded, randomised clinical study was conducted on 25 patients with Class I occlusal caries at the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, from July 2023 to January 2024. Healthy children aged between 5 and 10 years, who were visiting the dentist for the first time, were selected from the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry. The chidren were divided in two groups-group 1, 13 (52%) children with blue coloured composite restorations and group 2, 12 (48%) chidren who received conventional composite restorations. Behaviour was assessed using the modified behaviour rating scale before and after treatment. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0 with the Wilcoxon’s Signed-rank Test. Results: Among total of 25 children, 14 (56%) were males and 11 (44%) were females with a mean age of 8.47±1.59 years. There was a significant improvement in the behaviour of children after treatment with blue coloured compomer (p-value&lt;0.001), whereas the change in behaviour in the conventional composite group was non significant (p-value=0.157). Conclusion: Coloured restorative materials, such as blue compomer, show promising results in paediatric dentistry by promoting positive behaviour and satisfaction among children, potentially enhancing oral hygiene practices.

Household food insecurity and physical activity behaviour in Ecuadorian children and adolescents: findings from the Ecuador 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT-2018).

Ecuador has a high prevalence of household food insecurity (HFI) and is undergoing nutritional and epidemiologic transition. Evidence from high-income countries has reported negative or null associations between HFI and physical activity (PA) in children. It remains uncertain whether the same is true of those from low- and middle-income countries like Ecuador whose environmental and socio-demographic characteristics are distinct from those of high-income countries. We aimed to investigate the association of HFI with PA, sedentary behaviour (SB) and anthropometric indicators in children. Cross-sectional analysis of data from the nationally representative 2018 Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey. Data were collected on HFI, PA, SB, socio-demographic characteristics and measured height and weight. Unadjusted and adjusted linear, log-binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship of HFI with PA, SB, stunting and BMI-for-age. Ecuador. 23 621 children aged 5-17 years. Marginal and moderate-severe HFI was prevalent in 24 % and 20 % of the households, respectively. HFI was not associated with PA, SB, stunting nor underweight. Moderate-severe HFI was associated with a lower odds of overweight and obesity. However, adjustment for household assets attenuated this finding for overweight (adjusted OR:0·90, 95 % CI: 0·77, 1·05) and obesity (adjusted OR: 0·88, 95 % CI: 0·71, 1·08). HFI is a burden in Ecuadorian households, but is not associated with PA, SB nor anthropometric indicators in children aged 5-17 years. However, a concerning prevalence of insufficient PA was reported, emphasising the critical need for evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting PA and reducing SB.

Inclusive pre-sentencing reports for children who conflict with the law: Applying and executing section 71 of the Child Justice Act

Despite the progressive nature of the Child Justice Act (CJA) to uphold the best interest principle of all children who come into conflict with the law, s 71(1) and (2) of the CJA that outlines the pre-sentencing evaluation reports required for sentencing, fail to meet and uphold this objective. This is of particular importance given the multi-complex and multi-faceted advancements in scientific findings regarding the development of criminal behaviour in children. This paper reviewed and concluded the following key aspects pertinent to the execution of pre-sentencing reports: (1) practitioners are not provided with clear guidelines specifying key factors that need emphasis in the pre-sentence reports; (2) practitioners are often inexperienced in child development (brain and psychological) processes and lack the requisite knowledge and skills in crime causation to compile the reports; and (3) the best interest principle is hampered by a severe staffing problem, heavy workloads, and tight timeframes governing the compilation and submission of reports. This submission was primarily influenced by the findings from research that explored and subsequently developed an action plan for criminologists with a view toward specialisation in child justice. A literature review and analysis of pre-existing findings from the aforesaid research, coupled with reviews of academic literature from various academic scientific sources formed the basis of the arguments presented in this submission.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for children in custody: An analysis of inspection reports.

Children in custodial settings are a vulnerable group. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there were concerns about the safety of children in these settings. COVID-19 has had an impact on everyone but given the vulnerability of children in custody, there were concerns about the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. All custody settings for children are independently inspected and this research aimed to analyse data from inspection reports. Twenty-six inspection reports undertaken between March 2020 and October 2021 were analysed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on delivery of usual care/regime. Data showed that across all site's children spent considerable amounts of time isolated and in some cases, this was deemed to amount to solitary confinement. There was evidence of some positive experiences, in the smaller sites, around COVID-19 slowing the pace of life allowing staff and children could foster relationships. However, in the larger sites, isolation was extreme and COVID-19 policies such as 'bubbles' appear to have created unintended consequences as sites have moved into recovery, leading to increased violence and stress. COVID-19 directly impacted staffing levels. This and the COVID-19 policies to reduce mixing also had an impact on how children's behaviour, welfare and safeguarding was managed. In some larger sites, being COVID-19 secure was prioritised over the needs of the children. This research highlights the importance of multi-site longitudinal research to understand how children, staff and institution's function. The experiences of children in custody during COVID-19 differed by site type. The research suggests that the larger sites are struggling to keep children safe and there should be a shift towards smaller, more therapeutic environments. More research is needed to understand the longer-term unintended consequences of COVID-19 policy in custody, for these vulnerable children.

Children's behaviour and childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is amajor complex and multifaceted public health challenge with significant short- and long-term health consequences. It is also associated with asignificant reduction in quality of life and poorer mental health outcomes. In general, obesity occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. In children, however, the former can be interpreted as when achild has abody mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age, sex, and ethnicity on growth charts. Obesity in children is influenced by acomplex interplay of genetic, environmental, socio-economic, and behavioural factors. The relationship between achild's behaviour and childhood obesity is multifaceted and influenced by various factors, including dietary habits, physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours, family dynamics, socio-economic status, and environmental factors. Effective strategies for preventing and managing childhood obesity require acomprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that addresses individual, family, community, and educational institutes. Thus, addressing childhood obesity requires acomprehensive approach that addresses not only biological and environmental factors but also behavioural factors that influence children's eating behaviours, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, and emotional well-being. Early intervention and ongoing support are crucial for promoting healthy growth and development and reducing the burden of childhood obesity on individuals, families, and societies. This review discusses factors that influence the child's behaviour and the relationship between the child's behaviour and childhood obesity.

A Complex Interrelationship of Childhood Obesity, Dental Caries and Malocclusion Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Media Amplification: A Narrative Review

Recent research has highlighted the link between childhood obesity, dental caries, and malocclusion, and how the Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and social media have worsened these health issues. Increased screentime and decreased physical activity during the pandemic have significantly contributed to these conditions among children. Studies emphasise the need to address common risk factors such as unhealthy diets, limited healthcare access, and poor public health policies to reduce their negative effects. This review explores the complex relationship between childhood obesity, dental caries, and malocclusion, with a focus on their global importance. It examines the connections and shared risk factors between these conditions, particularly in the context of the pandemic and the growing influence of social media on children. The goal is to provide insights for developing effective interventions and management strategies to improve children's health worldwide. The present review stresses the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that target both individual and collective risk factors, while also considering broader socioeconomic and digital influences on children's health behaviours. Promoting healthy lifestyles, access to nutritious foods, physical activity, and better dental care can help to alleviate these conditions. Understanding the interplay between these health issues and the digital environment is crucial to creating effective and adaptable public health interventions.

Change in oral health-related behaviours of children before and after dental treatments under general anaesthesia.

This study evaluated the behavioural changes pertaining to children's oral health before and after the dental general anaesthesia (DGA), with particular focus on the factors associated with these changes. The records were collected for the children who received DGA from July 2015 to November 2016, and relevant questionnaires were obtained from their parents/guardians for the information prior to and after the DGA. The questionnaire included Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) to investigate the changes in Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and dental fear. The DGA impact on children's oral hygiene habits and oral health-related behaviours was assessed by analysing the data. The chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test were employed to evaluate the differences. Total of 141 patients (89 before DGA and 77 after DGA, 25 being common) participated in this study. There were 60 children below 5 years and 29 over 5 years before DGA, while 41 children below 5 years and 36 over 5 years after DGA. Most parents/guardians were educated above undergraduate level (59.6% before DGA, 55.8% after DGA). More children lived with grandparents (61.8% before DGA, 54.5% after DGA) than only with parents (20.2% before DGA, 26.0% after DGA). In total, 73.0% (65/89) children before DGA brushed teeth more than twice a day. This proportion increased to 90.9% after DGA (70/77, p = 0.03). The eating difficulty decreased after DGA according to ECOHIS (p = 0.01). CFSS-DS score also decreased after DGA (p < 0.05). After DGA, children's oral hygiene habits and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) improved, children fear for dental treatment decreased, and parents became more attentive towards children oral health.

South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) II - a multi-country evaluation of nutrition and lifestyle indicators in children aged 12 years and below: rationale and design.

To assess the nutritional status, growth parameters and lifestyle behaviours of children between 0·5 and 12 years in nationally representative samples in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the four countries, between May 2019 and April 2021. Data collected can be categorised into four categories: (1) Growth - anthropometry, body composition, development disorder, (2) nutrient intake and dietary habits - 24-h dietary recall, child food habits, breast-feeding and complementary feeding, (3) socio-economic status - food insecurity and child health status/environmental and (4) lifestyle behaviours - physical activity patterns, fitness, sunlight exposure, sleep patterns, body image and behavioural problems. Blood samples were also collected for biochemical and metabolomic analyses. With the pandemic emerging during the study, a COVID-19 questionnaire was developed and implemented. Both rural and urban areas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Children who were well, with no physical disability or serious infections/injuries and between the age of 0·5 and 12 years old, were recruited. The South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II recruited 13933 children. Depending on the country, data collection from children was conducted in schools and commune health centres, or temples, or sub-district administrative organisations. The results will provide up-to-date insights into nutritional status and lifestyle behaviours of children in the four countries. Subsequently, these data will facilitate exploration of potential gaps in dietary intake among Southeast Asian children and enable local authorities to plan future nutrition and lifestyle intervention strategies.

Obesogenic behaviour in school-age children: A cross-sectional study

Background: Obesogenic behaviour, characterized by a lack of physical activity, extended periods of watching television, and insufficient consumption of nutritious food, significantly contributes to the risk of obesity in children. The highlights the importance of addressing these behavioural risk factors to combat the growing trend of childhood obesity.Objective: To determine the characteristics of obesogenic behaviour in school-age children in Makassar City.Methods: This study used quantitative research with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted from July to September 2021 in three elementary schools located in Makassar. The research used purposive sampling for participant selection, and data collection was carried out using questionnaires completed by the respondents. For data analysis, the study applied spearman correlation and chi-square tests. Results: In this study involving 209 students, predominantly male (50.7%), 11 years old (46.4%), living in urban areas (56%), and overweight (54.1%), the spearman correlation test revealed a strong correlation between BMI (p=0.005) and obesogenic behaviour. Additionally, the chi-square test indicated significant associations of gender (p=0.027) and living region (p=0.012) with obesogenic behaviour.Conclusion: The study found a significant relationship between gender, domicile, BMI, and nutritional status, and their impact on children’s obesogenic behaviour. These findings underline the importance of further research with a larger sample size of elementary school students to explore additional characteristics influencing obesogenic behaviours.

Dimensions of young children's toothbrushing resistance: A qualitative content analysis of discussions on the online parenting forum Mumsnet.

Young children's resistant behaviour is a barrier to parental-supervised brushing. Discussions on online parenting forums offer an insight into parental experiences, behaviour and attitudes. Analysing these discussions also demonstrates how dental advice is represented and potentially resisted. To analyse how young children's toothbrushing resistance is discussed on an online parenting forum. Qualitative content analysis of threads on toothbrushing resistance retrieved from the UK parenting forum Mumsnet. A search was carried out on Mumsnet in April 2022. Overall, 204 relevant threads were identified and analysed. A coding frame was developed. Posters interacted by discussing their experiences of resistance, asking for advice, making suggestions and being both supportive and critical. Thirty-seven strategies for addressing resistance were identified. Discussions reflected attitudes and concerns relating to young children and toothbrushing resistance, including the idea brushing should be 'non-negotiable'. A key issue was the acceptability of physical force or restraint to achieve adequate brushing. Posters invoked dental authority to support their views. Understanding how toothbrushing resistance is discussed on a parenting forum helps establish what information and advice is shared, and highlights attitudes and concerns that shape how this problem is approached.

Performance during object retrieval tasks in young children with and without Down syndrome: A pilot study

AbstractObject retrieval skills requiring means‐end exploration are an area of relative weakness in young children with Down syndrome (DS). The current pilot study examined the object retrieval skills of a small sample of young children with DS for tasks with varying level of complexity. Thirteen children with DS (31.55 ± 4.14 months) and 13 mental age‐matched typically developing (TD) children (17.31 ± 1.64 months) completed three tasks involving retrieving a toy from a transparent box (Task 1), an opaque box (Task 2) and a transparent box hidden inside an opaque box (Task 3). Both DS and TD group performed similarly for the simpler Task 1, but for Tasks 2 and 3, the DS group had a lower success rate, less frequent use of complex asymmetric hand actions and/or longer execution times compared to the TD group. Future studies should examine the developmental trends and specificity of means‐end exploratory behaviours in children with DS.