Shaping Children Research Articles

Community Tolerance, Habitus, and Early Childhood Education in Schools: A Phenomenological Approach

Purpose – This study examines how the tolerant culture of the Senggarang community, rooted in its traditions and values, influences religious tolerance education in early primary education in Tanjungpinang City, Indonesia, by utilizing Bourdieu’s theory of habitus and cultural capital to clarify the impact of cultural practices in multicultural communities on early childhood education oriented towards tolerance. Design/methods/approach – This study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach, utilizing direct observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to explore the influence of cultural practices on tolerance education. Field research engaged diverse informants from Senggarang, including elementary school teachers from early elementary education, local community members, and officials familiar with the area's historical and social dynamics, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the community's tolerance-related practices. Findings – The findings reveal that the tolerant cultural practices in Senggarang, deeply rooted in historical and social contexts, significantly influence tolerance education among students. Children aged 6–7 years in early primary education adopt tolerance as part of the behaviors they learn through communal activities such as interfaith holiday celebrations and support for religious events. Cultural values that promote interfaith respect, evident in traditional interactions and mutual cooperation (gotong royong), are internalized by children through family and community engagement. These practices align with Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and cultural capital, demonstrating how inherited cultural norms and daily practices shape children's dispositions toward tolerance. Educators and the school environment further reinforce these practices by embedding tolerance education through routines and collaborative activities among diverse students. Research implications/limitations – This study provides valuable insights into how community culture influences school-based tolerance education. However, its findings may be less applicable to areas with different social and historical contexts. Future research could further examine the role of cultural capital and habitus in multicultural education contexts across various regions in Indonesia. Practical implications – The study highlights the importance of incorporating local cultural values into education to foster early tolerance, offering a model for using cultural practices as teaching tools in diverse communities. Originality/value – This study highlights how community culture and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and cultural capital enrich our understanding of tolerance education in first-grade primary school students (ages 6–7), encouraging further exploration of local cultural values to shape inclusive educational practices in multicultural societies. Paper type Research paper

Nurturing the Child's Nature: Revisiting Child Moral Education in the Thought of Ibn Jazar on the book Siyasatu shibyan wa tadbiruhum

Purpose – This study revisits child moral education through the lens of Ibn Jazar’s book Siyasatu shibyan wa tadbiruhum, exploring its relevance to contemporary Islamic education. The study aims to bridge the classical nature versus nurture debate in moral education, focusing on how Ibn Jazar integrates physical health with moral development. His holistic approach emphasizes that a child’s physical well-being is crucial for the effective internalization of moral values, arguing that healthy children are better prepared for moral instruction. Design/methods/approach – The research methodology employed is qualitative content analysis, with an emphasis on latent analysis to uncover hidden meanings in the text. The analysis reveals that Ibn Jazar’s work provides a comprehensive framework for addressing both physical and moral development, which is essential for shaping children’s character from an early age. Findings – The findings suggest that his emphasis on health as a foundation for morality is not only relevant for historical discourse but also offers practical solutions to current challenges in Islamic education, particularly in navigating the effects of globalization on moral development. Research implications/limitations – The study acknowledges the limitation of possible interpretative bias and recommends further research to explore how Ibn Jazar's ideas could be adapted into modern curricula. Practical implications – Practically, Ibn Jazar's approach offers guidance in the development of Islamic education curricula that focus on a balance between moral and physical instruction, while emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment for children's development. Originality/value – This research contributes to the field by highlighting a largely overlooked figure in Islamic moral education and suggesting how his interdisciplinary approach can inform the development of contemporary educational systems. Paper type Research paper

Gender Social Norms among Internal Migrant Communities in South-West Nigeria

This study delves into the complex relationship between migration, gender social norms, and child marriage within internal migrant communities in Southwest Nigeria. Existing research has demonstrated that the dynamics of child marriage and migration are intricately interwoven and contingent upon specific contextual factors. This relationship is further nuanced by the dual pressures of conflict and forced displacement, which can exert both upward and downward influences on child marriage practices. Drawing from the prevalence of child marriage across multiple boards, specific normative factors were identified, such as a girl's chastity as a means to preserve family honour, a preference for male education and opportunities, the perception of girls as a financial burden leading to early marriage, and the societal view of girls primarily in roles as wives and mothers. These norms constrain girls' participation in decision-making processes and reinforce their subservient roles. The intersecting impact of these social norms on poverty and prolonged insecurity contributes to the perpetuation of child marriage. Insights from studies on legalities surrounding the permissible age for marriage underscore the significant sway of societal norms in determining marriage timing. These insights provide a foundation for the development of interventions and policies promoting gender equality and safeguarding the rights of individuals affected by child marriage. Despite a growing volume of research on child marriage, there remains a research gap within humanitarian contexts, particularly migration. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the complex interplay between migration, gender, and social norms in shaping child marriage practices, specifically within the Nigerian context.

Gender Social Norms among Internal Migrant Communities in South-West Nigeria

This study delves into the complex relationship between migration, gender social norms, and child marriage within internal migrant communities in Southwest Nigeria. Existing research has demonstrated that the dynamics of child marriage and migration are intricately interwoven and contingent upon specific contextual factors. This relationship is further nuanced by the dual pressures of conflict and forced displacement, which can exert both upward and downward influences on child marriage practices. Drawing from the prevalence of child marriage across multiple boards, specific normative factors were identified, such as a girl's chastity as a means to preserve family honour, a preference for male education and opportunities, the perception of girls as a financial burden leading to early marriage, and the societal view of girls primarily in roles as wives and mothers. These norms constrain girls' participation in decision-making processes and reinforce their subservient roles. The intersecting impact of these social norms on poverty and prolonged insecurity contributes to the perpetuation of child marriage. Insights from studies on legalities surrounding the permissible age for marriage underscore the significant sway of societal norms in determining marriage timing. These insights provide a foundation for the development of interventions and policies promoting gender equality and safeguarding the rights of individuals affected by child marriage. Despite a growing volume of research on child marriage, there remains a research gap within humanitarian contexts, particularly migration. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the complex interplay between migration, gender, and social norms in shaping child marriage practices, specifically within the Nigerian context.

Socio-economic and Demographic Characteristics of Caregivers as a Determinant of Nutritional Status of Children Aged 6-59 Months in Kericho County, Kenya

Child growth and well-being are critically dependent on proper nutrition, particularly during the developmental phase between the ages of 6 and 59 months. Poor nutritional status is associated with an increased prevalence of mortality and morbidity in Kenya and globally. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the nutritional status of children aged 6 months to 5 years in Kericho County, Kenya. The research employed a cross-sectional analytical design, targeting children attending outpatient child welfare clinics at Kericho County Referral Hospital and Kapkatet Sub-County Hospital. A total of 172 children were selected through systematic random sampling, and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Key findings revealed that stunting affected 25% of the children, while wasting and underweight were prevalent in 23.8%. Dietary practices showed that only 39.2% of children aged 6 to 23 months met the minimum dietary diversity, and 39.2% received a minimum acceptable diet. Moreover, 45.3% of children experienced illness in the past month. Regression analysis identified several key predictors of malnutrition: Children of caregivers without formal education were more likely to be underweight (AOR = 0.70, p = 0.01). This study underscores the critical role of caregiver education in shaping child nutritional outcomes and highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve caregiver knowledge and practices.

The moderating effect of maternal modeling on age-related decline in children's physical activity.

Maintaining adequate levels of physical activity is challenging for many children. Parents, particularly mothers, play a pivotal role in children's engagement in health behaviors. This longitudinal study investigated the moderating role of maternal physical activity-related modeling behaviors on the typical age-related decline in children's physical activity. A total of six waves of 1-week ecological momentary assessments were conducted with mother-child dyads (N = 202) of 8- to 12-year-old children. The results indicated that both maternal physical activity and physical activity in the presence of their child attenuated the typical decline in the children's physical activity over time. These findings underscore the importance of maternal physical activity-related behaviors in shaping children's physical activity habits over time. The discussion centers on the need to further explore the mechanisms underlying these moderation effects and outlines implications for interventions targeting children's physical activity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Time-out under scrutiny: examining the relationships among the discipline strategy time-out, child well-being and attachment and exposure to adversity.

Discipline is a crucial aspect of parenting, shaping child development and behaviour. Time-out, a widely used disciplinary strategy with a strong evidence-base, has recently come under scrutiny with concerns about potential adverse effects on children's emotional development and attachment, particularly for those with a history of adversity. To contribute critical empirical insights to the current controversy surrounding time-out by exploring the associations among time-out implementation, parent-child attachment and child mental health, and whether adversity exposure moderated these associations. This cross-sectional study utilised a nationally representative sample of 474 primary caregivers in Australia, with children aged 6-8 years, who completed an online survey. Measures included the Implementation of Time-out Scale, Adverse Life Experiences Scale, Primary Attachment Style Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Spence Child Anxiety Scale. Appropriately implemented time-out was associated with enhanced mental health and attachment, while inappropriate time-out correlated with adverse child outcomes. Exposure to adversity moderated the relationship between time-out implementation and child well-being, such that children exposed to adversity were most likely to experience attachment enhancement from appropriately implemented time-out. Despite recent concerns of harm caused by time-out, particularly for children with a history of adversity, findings support the beneficial impact of time-out on child well-being and attachment when implemented in accordance with evidence-based parameters. Combatting misinformation and disseminating evidence-based time-out guidelines is crucial for promoting child well-being and attachment, especially for children who have experienced adversity.

Analisis Komparatif Konsep dan Metode Pendidikan Islam untuk Anak dalam Perspektif Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani dan Abdullah Nashih 'Ulwan

This research is motivated by the rampant moral decadence that needs attention. Underlining the responsibility of parents and educators in educating children, including the importance of the right method to shape children's faith, morals, knowledge, mentality, and social. Sheikh Nawawi Al Bantani and Abdullah Nashih 'Ulwan were appointed as the main focus because of their influential thoughts in the context of children's education. The purpose of this study is to describe, compare, and analyze the relevance of the thoughts of the two figures regarding children's education in the context of contemporary Islamic education. This study uses a Qualitative Descriptive-Analytical approach with a literature review nature. The data obtained are sourced from primary data as the main reference obtained from a book entitled Tarbiyatul Aulad Fil Islam by Dr. Abdullah Nashih 'Ulwan and the book Tanqih Al-Qaul by Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani. While secondary data is obtained from journals, expert books, and previous scientific articles. Descriptive in explaining the arguments and comparison of the two concepts and methods, analysis to describe the contents in depth. In this study it was found that the educational methods proposed by Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani and Abdullah Nashih have similarities even though the approaches and implementations are different, both discuss Islamic education that prioritizes noble morals which are very relevant considering the contemporary era which is full of moral crises.

Neural hyperscanning in caregiver-child dyads: A paradigm for studying the long-term effects of facilitated vs. disrupted attention on working memory and executive functioning in young children

Parent-child interactions shape children’s cognitive outcomes such that caregivers can guide attention and facilitate learning opportunities. These interactions provide infants and toddlers with rich, naturalistic experiences that engage complex cognitive functions and lay the groundwork for the development of mature executive functions. Although most caregivers seek to engage children optimally, they can unintentionally impede this developmental process by being under-engaged or intrusive. When caregivers are under engaged, children do not have the proper scaffolding to know what to attend to in a complex environment. When parents are intrusive, they inadvertently disrupt the child’s attention and direct learning to information that the parent deems important, but the child may find uninteresting or irrelevant. This disruption can impede the learning process even if the child’s behavior does not appear to be negatively affected during the unfolding parent–child interaction. Understanding the moment-to-moment neural basis of these processes is critical to uncover the role that caregivers play in the development of attention and learning, which in turn impacts the development of working memory and executive function. Simultaneous brain recording, called hyperscanning, is a burgeoning method that measures brain synchrony across parent–child dyads when engaged in a shared task. In this opinion piece, we first review existing literature that highlights the important role caregivers play in guiding attention and learning in infants and toddlers and how these interactions contribute to the development of working memory and executive function in young children. Next, we review the existing literature using hyperscanning and dual eye tracking paradigms to uncover the patterning of interactions when caregivers guide attention in a manner that either matches the expectations of the child or over- or under-directs the child’s attention. We provide best-practices for employing hyperscanning techniques to uncover how caregivers optimally engage infant and toddlers’ attention in the moment, and how children’s developing memory of these patterns of interaction build their executive function abilities, both with their caregivers and with other adults and children.

The Impact of Video Based Health Education on Sundanese Mothers Perceptions of Parenting Practices for Toddlers

Introduction: Parenting during infancy and toddlerhood plays a crucial role in shaping children's physical, social, and intellectual development, with effective parenting during these early years having long-lasting effects on a child’s health and independence. Cultural values and family traditions influence parenting practices, and educational media, such as videos, can improve perceptions and behaviors by engaging audiences and providing relevant, contextual information. Objective: This study aims to determine the influence of health education through video media on the perception of mothers with infants under five about parenting patterns in the Sundanese ethnicity in Cikunir Village. Method: This quantitative study employs a quasi-experimental design to assess the impact of video-based health education on mothers' perceptions of toddler parenting. The population consists of mothers with children aged 0-60 months in Cikunir Village, with purposive sampling used to select 57 participants. Data were presented in tables, and descriptive and analytical analysis was performed using pre-test and post-test questionnaires. Result: Statistical analysis revealed a significant effect of health education on mothers' perceptions, with a p-value of 0.000, indicating a statistically significant result (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Health education through video media significantly influences mothers' perceptions of parenting patterns in the Sundanese ethnic group. Early intervention in child growth and stunting prevention is essential for promoting age-appropriate development in infants.

Addressing Physical Inactivity in Mexican Children: The Role of Parents and Their Physical Literacy

ABSTRACTIntroductionChildhood obesity and physical inactivity rates in Mexico are among the highest in the world. While parenting is a key factor in shaping children's physical activity behavior, there is a lack of research in this area, particularly in Mexico.ObjectiveThis qualitative study aims to better understand aspects of parenting relevant to children's physical engagement, including what parents understand by physical activity, how engaged they are and how important they find it, that is, their physical literacy.MethodsSeven focus group discussions were conducted with 43 caregivers of overweight primary school children. Inquiry topics included components of physical literacy (i.e., motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding, engagement in physical activity), parenting practices, role modeling, perception of children's physical activity, parental self‐efficacy and general parenting style.ResultsAlthough many participants stated that they were aware of their child's health problems and that they did not set a good example themselves, most could not overcome personal obstacles to exercise such as lack of time and energy. Most participants showed a knowledge gap about appropriate levels of physical activity or underestimated its importance. Several reported increased motivation after participating in the focus group discussion and developed their own ideas to deal with barriers or to support their children, such as engaging in physical activity together and introducing family routines.ConclusionFollowing a participatory approach, future studies should use these ideas to develop context‐sensitive group interventions. Empowering parents by considering their physical literacy in children's weight management could be a valuable addition to theory‐based strategies in research and practice.

Peran Lingkungan Terhadap Perkembangan Sosio-Emosional Anak

This type of research is qualitative research. This research aims to examine the role of the environment on children's socio-emotional development. The method used in this research is qualitative research with interviews as a data collection technique which was carried out on Saturday 26 October 2024. This research was conducted in the village of Bandar Putih Tua, Anak Ratu Aji, Central Lampung with the research subjects being 5 children aged 7-10 the year that is the data source. The research results show that the family environment has a significant impact on children's emotional management, while the peer environment influences children's social behavior, both positively and negatively. The school environment, on the other hand, plays a role in shaping children's emotional stability and social skills through interactions with teachers and peers. Based on this research, it can be concluded that the environment plays a very important role in children's socio-emotional development, and the role of parents and the regulation of the social environment around children greatly determines their social and emotional development. It is hoped that this research will provide deeper insight into the importance of creating a supportive environment for children's socio-emotional development.

Gender Identity Formation of Single Parent Children in Pinang Sebatang Barat Village, Tualang District, Siak Regency (Study Case: Single Parent Families and Gender Identity Formation)

This study was conducted in Pinang Sebatang Barat Village, Tualang District, Siak Regency. This study aims to identify how single mothers and fathers shape the gender identity of children aged 3-7 years through their roles as caregivers, educators, and breadwinners. This study involved 6 subjects, consisting of 5 single mothers and 1 single father, selected using purposive sampling techniques. The theory used in this study is Albert Bandura's social learning theory, which looks at the process of forming children's gender identity through observation, imitation, and behavioral reinforcement. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, as well as a case study research type. Data collection techniques are carried out through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. To ensure data validity, researchers also use triangulation methods to compare results from different methods and sources. The results of this study indicate that single mothers and fathers have challenges in shaping children's gender identity, especially in modeling masculine or feminine gender roles. Limited time and economic resources are often obstacles for single parents in carrying out parenting and education functions, so that some children are cared for more by other family members, such as siblings or grandparents. Nevertheless, the role of single mothers in providing positive reinforcement for children's behavior still seems important in the social learning process. Based on these findings, researchers suggest that single parents need social and economic support to help them shape their children's gender identity in the most effective way.

A tale of fantasy use in children’s picture books

ABSTRACT The current study explored the fantasy-oriented content in children’s picture books to better understand picture books’ role in shaping children’s experiences with fantasy. Through a content analysis of 100 picture books, the frequency and use of fantasy were examined in the books’ events, illustrations, and text. Trends were also examined by book genre (concept books versus storybooks) to explore the use of fantasy-oriented content when depicting real-world information. Findings revealed that the inclusion and use of fantasy varied across the events, illustrations, and text, creating multiple contexts in which children must evaluate fantasy. The inclusion of fantasy also varied by book genre: Whereas both genres included ample fantasy, storybooks included fantasy that was more central to the events and concept books used fantasy primarily as decorative. Implications for how children process fantasy in picture books are discussed.

Observed Shyness-Related Behavioral Responses to a Self-Presentation Speech Task: A Study Comparing Chinese and Canadian Children.

Past research suggests that expressions of shyness are associated with several distinct behaviors that may differ between Eastern and Western cultures. However, this evidence has largely been derived from subjective ratings, such self-, teacher-, and parent-report measures. In this study, we examined between-country differences on measures of directly observed shyness-related behaviors during a speech task in children. Participants were 74 Chinese (Mage = 4.76 years old, SDage = 0.62 years old; 77.0% male) and 189 Canadian (Mage = 4.80 years old, SDage = 0.82 years old; 48.1% male) children aged 4-6 years. As predicted, the results reveal that Chinese children exhibit a higher frequency of gaze aversion and lower total time speaking compared to Canadian children. Additionally, significant interactions between country and gender were found for fidgeting and smiling behaviors, indicating that cultural expectations and norms influence how boys and girls express some shyness-related behaviors in social situations. These preliminary findings extend prior cross-cultural research on shyness-related behaviors indexed using subjective report measures to directly observed measures, highlighting the importance of cultural context in shaping children's responses to social evaluation.

The Role of Parenting in Cultivating Environmental Attitudes in Early Childhood in Digital Era

In this digital era, parenting plays an important role in shaping environmental awareness and nature-friendly behavior in early childhood. Children at this time are often exposed to technology from an early age, so excessive use can affect children's attitudes and behavior towards the environment. This study aims to identify the role of appropriate parenting on environmental care in the digital era in early childhood. This research uses a qualitative study with a literature review research method by collecting various scientific sources. This research aims to convey information about how the role of parenting can affect children's environmental care attitudes in the digital era. An important finding in this study is that the role of parents in shaping children's character, especially in the digital era, is very important. Parents must understand the characteristics of children in the digital era, apply appropriate parenting patterns and build effective communication with children. The importance of applying democratic and authoritative parenting, in helping children develop positive environmental awareness. Therefore, the importance of early religious and moral values education as an effort to instill environmental awareness in children. Parents' involvement in children's learning, both at home and at school, is a key factor in shaping environmental awareness in early childhood.

Effects of Various Parenting Style on Children at Different Age Group

Parenting styles play a crucial role in shaping children's emotional, social, and cognitive development, influencing their behavior, self-esteem, academic performance, and overall well-being. This paper examines the various parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—as defined by developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind, and explores how each style impacts a child's development across cultural and socio-economic contexts.Modern parenting is blended with various concerns. An emergingstudy highlights how individual temperament, environmental factors, and parent-child interactions modify these outcomes, underscoring the complexity of parenting effects. This study further explores the significance of adaptive parenting approaches, which adjust to children’s changing needs, to support their growth in a dynamic world. Insights gained may contribute to enhancing parenting practices and informing educational and policy interventions aimed at promoting optimal child development. The impact of social class on the selection of parenting style is also considered in the research.

The development and validity of the Early Learning Tool for children 0-3-year-old in rural Pakistan.

Research has demonstrated the critical role that early learning experiences play in shaping children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Nevertheless, tools for assessing children's exposure to early learning experiences remain scarce. This paper describes the initial validation of the Early Learning (EL) tool, which captures the levels of stimulation with playthings and people available to children 0-3-year-old in low-resource, international settings. We randomly sampled 200 mothers of children under 3-year-old in rural Sindh, Pakistan. We collected data on sociodemographic information, early learning, responsive caregiving, and child development. Psychometric analyses assessing the structural validity with confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory, criterion validity with Pearson correlation coefficients, and predictive validity with Ordinary Least Squares linear regression were conducted. We found that the EL tool is valid in this setting, capturing two factors of early learning: stimulation with playthings and stimulation with people. Stimulation with playthings and people were strongly and positively correlated with responsive caregiving, maternal education, and wealth, indicating criterion validity. Stimulation with playthings and people were also strongly associated with child development, measured by the Bayleys Scales of Infant Development. The EL tool is a promising instrument for measuring early learning in low- and middle-income countries, and its use can lead to more effective and inclusive monitoring and development of early learning initiatives.

Analisis Edukasi Positive Discipline Pada Konten Parenting Akun Instagram @Haibundacom

Positive discipline education is an approach aimed at building children's discipline through positive and supportive communication without involving harsh punishment. The Instagram account @Haibunda.com utilizes social media to provide educational content on parenting, helping parents understand the importance of positive discipline in shaping children's behavior. This study aims to analyze the content of positive discipline education messages in parenting on the Instagram social media account @Haibunda.com, targeting its audience, especially young mothers. The method used in this study is a qualitative research method with a descriptive approach, through content analysis of posts on the Instagram account @Haibunda.com from July to September 2024. The findings show that the account uses attractive visual illustrations, infographics, and short videos to facilitate parents’ understanding of positive discipline concepts, such as the importance of empathy, open communication, and the development of supportive relationships with children. The education delivered through this account is expected to help parents develop a more effective and empathetic parenting approach. The results of this study reinforce the New Media theory and the role of social media as a digital communication tool that impacts modern parenting practices.

PENGEMBANGAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK INTEGRATIF BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL UNTUK MEMBENTUK KARAKTER ANAK (PENELITIAN PENGEMBANGAN DI RA KHALIFAH INSANI METRO

This research was motivated by problems discovered during initial observations in Group A RA. Khalifah Insani Metro City, namely some students do not understand their respective characters because their learning activities are still conventional so they rarely link local culture with learning themes. The aim of this research is to develop a prototype of an integrative thematic learning model based on local wisdom for early childhood and determine the effectiveness of an integrative thematic learning model based on local wisdom in forming character. The research approach used in this research is Research and Development (R&D) with J. Moonen's developmental instructional model. The sample used was 1 teacher and 20 group A students at RA Khalifah Insani Metro City. The results of the research show that the development of an integrative thematic learning model based on local wisdom to shape children's character regarding product use is able to facilitate and instill good manners in students and can create appropriate and effective learning.