Indoor Children Research Articles

Children’s Physical Activity Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Research

This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s physical activity behaviors. Furthermore, children's indoor and outdoor physical activity opportunities and daily habits including screen time and sleep patterns were investigated. A mixed methods approach was used in which survey methodology was combined with semi-structured interviews. The convenience sampling method was used. A sample of parents (n = 205, 165 mothers) of children (5-12 years) participated in the survey. Semi-structured interviews were used to assess changes in children’s physical activity behaviors and daily habits (screen time and sleep patterns) in detail. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, standard deviations, and means) and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions caused a decline in children’s physical activity participation, particularly a dramatic decrease in outdoor time. However, outdoor time was associated with better mental health, more active time, and less sedentary behaviors. The screen time also increased and parents had local and temporal solutions to control screen time. Although the sleep hours were sufficient for children, delays occurred in the sleep/wake schedule of children, and sleep-related problems were reported by parents. Based on the study results, professionals could help families to regulate children’s daily habits. These findings could also guide efforts to promote outdoor physical activity places to prevent the negative influence of long-term homestay periods for future extreme cases.

Preschool Children's Loose Parts Play and the Relationship to Cognitive Development: A Review of the Literature.

Play is an integrative process, and the skills acquired in it-overcoming impulses, behavior control, exploration and discovery, problem-solving, reasoning, drawing conclusions, and attention to processes and outcomes are foundational cognitive structures that drive learning and motivation. Loose parts play is a prominent form of play that many scholars and educators explicitly endorse for cognitive development (e.g., divergent thinking, problem-solving). It is unique among play types because children can combine different play types and natural or manufactured materials in one occurrence. While educators and policymakers promote the benefits of loose parts play, no previous research has explored the direct relationship between preschool-age children's indoor loose parts play experiences and cognitive development. We address this gap by bringing together the relevant literature and synthesizing the empirical studies on common play types with loose parts, namely object and exploratory, symbolic and pretend, and constructive play. We also focus on studies that examine children's experiences through loose parts, highlighting the impact of different play types on learning through the reinforcement of cognitive skills, such as executive function, cognitive self-regulation, reasoning, and problem-solving. By examining the existing literature and synthesizing empirical evidence, we aim to deepen our understanding of the relationship between children's play with loose parts and its impact on cognitive development. Ultimately, pointing out the gaps in the literature that would add to the body of knowledge surrounding the benefits of play for cognitive development and inform educators, policymakers, and researchers about the significance of incorporating loose parts play into early childhood education.

Prevalence and indoor environment risk factors of otitis among preschool children in Urumqi, China

ObjectiveTo investigate the indoor environmental risk factors to provide measures for the prevention and control of otitis in preschool children. MethodIn this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was administered to preschool children aged 2–7 years from 60 kindergartens in six districts of Urumqi City in August 2019. Multiple regression was run to predict influence factors for otitis media in preschool children. ResultA total of 8153 valid questionnaires were collected. After adjusting for age, the prevalence of otitis among preschool children in Urumqi was 13.1%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that previous antibiotic treatment, treatment with one to two antibiotics before 1 year of age, presence of walls with aqueous or latex paint, use of carpet floor bedding in rooms, newly decorated homes of mothers before pregnancy, purchase of new furniture for homes of children at 0–1 year of age, and presence of flowering plants in the residence of children at 0–1 years of age were all identified as risk factors for the development of otitis in children. ConclusionParents should also pay attention to indoor living environments, and reduce indoor renovation in the homes of children during their growth and development, which can positively improve children's indoor living environment, thus effectively preventing otitis in preschool children.

“The computer is never turned off”: Children's domestic practices and energy demand in urban China

Behavioural energy studies rarely include children. This is due to complex research ethics when working with minors but perhaps also related to overlooking children as household members with an agency of their own. Drawing from a social practice theory perspective, this research explores how children act as an intersection point of domestic practices and shape energy demand in urban China. A high-density neighbourhood in Jinan, Shandong Province, is used as a case study. Based on in-depth interviews in 13 households and “home tours” with the participants, the findings show how the children have indoor-based, digitalised, and energy-intensive lifestyles. These middle-class families with an “education fever” prioritise the children's needs and their schooling in particular, resulting in a high number of individual appliances, used in private rooms, in large apartments with pre-installed building services. The parents and grandparents expressed concerns about their children's indoor lifestyle, and the implications for health and the environment but these concerns were overruled by prioritising the education. Drawing from the concept of Schatzki's material-arrangement bundles and Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital, this study perceives children's education as a form of cultural and social capital that, in this specific socio-spatial context, further drives domestic energt demand, despite recent improvements in energy efficiency of appliances and the building fabric. The paper calls for including children in energy studies and more comprehensive research approaches to better understand family dynamics, children's domestic practices and energy use.

Burden of Rota Virus Gastroenteritis in Children Under 5 Years of Age

Objective: To detect the burden of Rotavirus gastroenteritis in hospitalized and non-hospitalized children under 5 years of age.
 Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, from Jan 2015 to Dec 2019.
 Methodology: A total of 527 stool samples were analyzed using rapid immunochromatoghraphic testing kit for Rotavirus. Samples were received from both outdoor and indoor children under 5 years of age presenting with diarrheal illness.
 Results: 197 (37.4%) patients were positive for rotavirus antigen in stool while 330 (62.6%) were negative. Mean age of participants was 13.4 months ± 16.6 (range: 1-60 months). Out of 197 (37.4%) stool samples which were positive for rotavirus antigen, 66 (33.5%) were female children and 131 (66.5%) were male children. Maximum positive rotavirus stool antigen was observed in 0-2 years age-group i.e., 173 (33%) while 24 (4.4%) were positive in 3-5 years age-group, 110 (20.9%) rotavirus positive samples were from Inpatient Department while 87 (16.5%) were received from Outpatient Department.
 Conclusion: Rotavirus is a frequent cause of viral gastroenteritis in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized children. Maximum positivity is seen in children under 2 years of age.

Concentrations and Exposure Levels via Intake of Phthalates in Dust Deposits in Indoor Children’s Living Areas: Focusing on DEHP

Concentrations and Exposure Levels via Intake of Phthalates in Dust Deposits in Indoor Children’s Living Areas: Focusing on DEHP

Preschool children's indoor and outdoor playground HSV color preferences

AbstractProper use of colors, as an essential element of children's playground, can result in a more appropriate environment for children. Therefore, the current study evaluates the impact of Hue, Saturation, and Value (HSV) colors on preschool children's preferences at the ages of 5 and 6. 16 color palettes and 2 playground scenes were presented to children in order to identify their preferences. Results demonstrated that cool colors with a Saturation of 75 and a Value of 75 for indoor playground and warm colors with a Saturation of 75 and a Value of 50 for outdoor playground were the most preferred colors. Moreover, to investigate the impact of socioeconomic status on children's environmental color preferences, Mann‐Whitney U test was conducted and the results revealed a significant difference between the Value preference of children living in the lower class and upper class neighborhoods. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of HSV preferences between boys and girls and also between children at the ages of 5 and 6.

Indoor play during a global pandemic: commonalities and diversities during a unique snapshot in time

ABSTRACT The first case of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was diagnosed in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and the outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. By the end of March 2020, 136 countries had positive COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, in response to the virus, countries instigated various forms of ‘lock-downs’ and social distancing measures. Globally, children and adolescents could not meet and play or hang out with their friends as they did pre-pandemic. These changes essentially drove children (4–18 years) indoors for their play and recreation needs, instigating significant changes in the lives and day-to-day routines of children almost simultaneously in and across national borders. To understand the impact of these changes to children's play worlds and friendship groups, an online questionnaire was developed for children and parents and rolled out in Ireland, Italy, the United States, and England during the summer of 2020 following ethical approvals. The questionnaire consisted of qualitative (open ended) and quantitative (closed) questions, and this paper focuses on the changes to children's (4–18 years) indoor play. We found that the various ‘lock-downs’ and social distancing measures created largely similar impacts on play behaviors and activities in each developed country, irrespective of culture, the globally did indeed become ‘local’. Moreover, playing in ‘safe settings’ such as the home environment, may have helped to build resilience and to enhance protective factors in children's lives as opposed to a demonstration of global homogeneity [merriam-webster.com]. The impact of ‘lock-downs’ may counter-intuitively have reduced opportunities for cooperative play and parents' mediation of play due to increased parental responsibilities (working from home, home schooling) which reduced the time available to spend with children in non-school activities, including play.

Classroom Location, Activity Type, and Physical Activity During Preschool Children's Indoor Free-Play

Preschool children spend most of their day in the indoor classroom, but it is unknown which learning centers or activity types are associated with physical activity (PA) or if children even use learning centers for their intended purpose (e.g., block play in the block center). The present study aimed to describe activity types in which children participate within classroom locations and to compare location- versus activity type-based approaches to characterizing children's classroom PA. Preschoolers' (N = 50) classroom location and activity type were video-coded and matched with PA level (measured as accelerometer vector magnitude in counts/s) for one indoor free-play period. Multiple activities occurred within each location (median = 6.5), with the predominant activity type accounting for 40.7 (sociodramatic play in group location) to 88.4 (manipulative play in sensory location) percent of time in that location. Children spent the most time in the group location (17.9%) and the sociodramatic activity type (19.9%). PA varied by location and activity type with the loft location (37.3 counts/s) and gross motor activity type (46.3 counts/s) promoting the highest PA levels. Activity types elicited varying PA levels depending on location (e.g., block activity in block vs. group location: 22.8 vs. 43.9 counts/s). Children do not always participate in the type of activity for which a space was designed but this can facilitate PA. Activity type- and location-based approaches to characterizing children’s play and PA are not interchangeable but these approaches may provide additive information about classroom behavior, which is a methodological consideration for future studies.

The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America since 1865 by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg

Reviewed by: The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America since 1865 by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg Jason Heppler Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America since 1865. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2014. 283 pp. $34.95. In July 2016, Niantic, a mobile game development company, published Pokémon GO, an augmented reality application for mobile devices using a combination of GPS and mapping to let players roam the world to find Pokémon. The game was widely lauded not only for its innovation in augmented reality gaming, but praised for its ability to get people outdoors. In addition to getting players outside, a feature of the game counted the number of steps taken and rewarded players with new Pokémon eggs. The combination of getting people outdoors coupled with physical activity was praised by many as a positive development for a society ostensibly glued to their screens. Despite this gaming hit, observers have long lamented the predominance of technological devices— ranging from televisions to video games— that keep children indoors, one of a variety of reasons children moved indoors for play. How we reached this point in American culture is the motivation behind Pamela Riney-Kehrberg’s The Nature of Childhood. The core question behind Riney-Kehrberg’s book is the transformation of “outdoor children” into “indoor children” over the last 150 years. Riney-Kehrberg focuses her attention primarily on the Midwest and Great Plains, starting with the farm children around the end of the Civil War just as the United States rushed headlong into rapid urbanization and industrialization. Her story continues chronologically, ending in the earliest days of the twenty-first century. Her aim is to explain why and how children need to be “cajoled” to go outside (5), contending that children’s focus has “moved indoors, and away from the naturally occurring and constructed landscapes beyond their homes” (5). Through seven chapters, she explores the role of children on farms, cities, the social transformations of the twentieth century, and the lure of the indoors. Chapter 1 explores rural children and their “premodern” lives in close proximity to the landscape. Chapter 2 reveals how urban children transformed urban spaces into play areas. Chapter 3 examines summer camps, scouting, and education as children were losing their natural play areas. [End Page 185] Chapter 4 illuminates the “tug-of-war between the lure of the indoors and the adult desires to get children outdoors” in the mid-twentieth century. As “nature experience” receded in the face of urbanization, the movement of children from the country to the city cultivated a sheltering of them. Yet even as adults became wary about the outside world, children continued to pursue outdoor play. Nor were adults ignoring the need for nature. At the turn of the century, they responded with summer camps, organizations, and education curricula to provide children with a chance to experience nature. For all its focus on children, Riney-Kehrberg’s book feels like it is more about adults. She does not lay blame for sheltering children indoors on urbanization, technology, or population growth, but at the growing fear parents felt about the dangers in the world. Despite the best intentions of adults, “the day of the free-roaming child, exploring urban, suburban or wild spaces seemed to be over” (9). That fear could have been more fully explored in the book. The move indoors seemed to coincide with the post-World War II era, as fears about atomic bombs, Communism, and chemicals crept into various aspects of American life. How fears about children’s safety fit into society’s Cold War anxiety may have illuminated more about the shift to the indoors. Riney-Kehrberg captures the voices of children through a wide range of sources including manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, and reminiscences from archival sources found in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, and Nebraska. She captures well the voices of children, allowing them to speak for their role in the story. Riney-Kehrberg’s book will be excellent for readers looking for an overview of the shift to indoor play since the Civil War and the impact of children having...

Gender matters: male and female ECEC practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children's rough-and-tumble play (R&T)

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to explore Norwegian early childhood education and care (ECEC) practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding children's indoor and outdoor rough-and-tumble play (R&T) from a gender perspective. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used together in a mixed method design to provide quantitative data of patterns among a larger group of ECEC practitioners, as well as to gather greater in-depth insights on ECEC practitioners’ attitudes, thoughts and actions concerning children's R&T. The results of the study showed that ECEC practitioners acknowledged both positive and negative sides of R&T; that they allowed this kind of play significantly more in outdoor environments than indoors, and that R&T often produced uncertainty and a need for control by the practitioners. The most surprising result from the questionnaire was the lack of gender differences in allowing children's R&T in ECEC. However, the interviews revealed that although a basic difference in attitudes between male and female practitioners originally existed, female practitioners changed their attitudes and practices towards R&T as a result of gaining more knowledge and experience of this play through their male colleagues. In addition, a high consciousness of trying to adopt common understandings, rules and practices regarding R&T also contributed to a change of attitudes.

Indoor and Outdoor Play in Preschool Programs

The purpose of this study was to explain children's indoor and outdoor play in preschool programs in terms of teacher interaction, peer interaction and task orientation. Children's indoor and outdoor play behaviors were compared using the Individualized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (inCLASS). Findings included significant differences on task engagement and self-reliance (within the domain of task orientation), with both measures higher in an indoor play environment than an outdoor environment. Findings revealed no significant differences between the indoor and outdoor environment in terms of teacher engagement and peer engagement.

Indoor mold levels and current asthma among school-aged children in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Current knowledge regarding the association between indoor mold exposures and asthma is still limited. The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the relationship between objectively measured indoor mold levels and current asthma among school-aged children. Parents completed a questionnaire survey of health history and home environmental conditions. Asthma cases had a history of doctor-diagnosed asthma or current wheeze without a cold in the past 12months. Controls were age- and sex-matched to cases. Vacuumed dust samples were collected from the child's indoor play area and mattress. Samples were assessed for mold levels and quantified in colony-forming units (CFU). Sensitization to mold allergens was also determined by skin testing. Being a case was associated with family history of asthma, pet ownership, and mold allergy. Mold levels (CFU/m2 ) in the dust samples of children's mattress and play area floors were moderately correlated (r=0.56; P<0.05). High mold levels (≥30000CFU/m2 ) in dust samples from play [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.6; 95% CI: 1.03-6.43] and mattress (aOR)=3.0; 95% CI: 1.11-8.00) areas were significantly associated with current asthma. In this study high levels of mold are a risk factor for asthma in children.

Provision of children's indoor playground to substitute outdoor playground in Fukushima

Provision of children's indoor playground to substitute outdoor playground in Fukushima

Impact sur l’habitat de l’enfant atteint d’une affection respiratoire allergique du conseiller médical en environnement intérieur après deux visites successives à 6 mois d’intervalle

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of a medical indoor environment counselor (MIEC) on the allergic child's indoor home environment, as well as the real-life experience of patients' families. We enrolled 50 children (age, 4-18 years) with allergic respiratory illness (96 % asthmatics) from March 2011 to January 2012. During the first visit, the CMEI gave advice according to the results of the assessment. Home environmental exposures were assessed 6 months later. A satisfaction questionnaire was completed by the parents. We found a significant decrease in the presence of house dust mites (P = 0.0047), humidity, and molds (P = 0.0047) as well as volatile organic compounds (P = 0.0047). Smoking habits were not significantly changed (P = 0.083), nor was the presence of domestic pets (P = 0.3173). Over 74 % of the families were very satisfied with the CMEI's intervention. According to de Blay's study, a home visit by the MEIC increased compliance with mite reduction. The intervention to advise parents of asthmatic children on the risks of passive smoking was ineffective in reducing their children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The advice given by the MEIC was better understood by the patients than that expressed by the medical teams. A targeted home-based environmental intervention increased the compliance to mite, humidity, and mold reduction. The role of the CMEI will undoubtedly develop: follow-up studies are necessary to justify their activity (cost-efficacy ratio of their intervention).

QPCR standard operating procedure for measuring microorganisms in dust from dwellings in large cohort studies

The aim of the present study was to assess performance, feasibility and relevance of a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for large-scale use in the microbial analysis of children's indoor environments.We analyzed dust settled on Electrostatic Dust Fall Collectors (EDCs) by using qPCR which targeted 6 molds, 3 bacteria and 1 mite, chosen for their involvement in allergic or inflammatory processes. Six types of commercialized electrostatic wipes were tested for their releasing capacity of fungal DNA from fungal spores captured by the wipes. Specificity, repeatability and detection limits of the qPCR procedure were tested using calibrated microbial suspensions. The feasibility and relevance of this sampling and analysis method were assessed in a 75-home pilot study.Our result showed that one specific make of wipe was more effective than the others in releasing fungal DNA. qPCR procedure showed good repeatability. The quantification limit was about 5fgDNA/μL for all species except Penicillium chrysogenum (0.5fgDNA/μL) and Dermatophagoïdes pteronyssinus (10fgDNA/μL). No cross-reactivity was observed.DNA concentrations in the 53/75 homes participating in the pilot study were between 0 and 24 625, 0 and 69 738 equivalent cells per cm2 for the fungi and bacteria, and between 0 and 1 equivalent mites per cm2 for D. pteronyssinus. Using the SOP described, we were able to classify the 53 dwellings from the least to the most contaminated according to the quantity of DNA measured for each species.Our SOP measured fungi, bacteria and mites using a cost-efficient, discreet and well-accepted sampling method with just one qPCR tool. The whole procedure can be used for microbial analysis in large cohort studies such as the ELFE study (“Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance”) and could help improve our understanding of the interactions between the environment, allergic diseases and child development.

Correspondence between children's indoor and outdoor play in Japanese preschool daily life

This study examined the correspondence between children's indoor and outdoor play in a preschool environment to investigate whether the children maintained a tendency to engage in a particular type of play irrespective of the environment, or whether they changed the type of play according to the environment. Play behaviours of 18 three-year-old and 20 five-year-old children were observed in both settings in an urban preschool in Japan. Various characteristics of play were examined based on cognitive play categories, social play categories, and types of objects used. The results indicate that children do not maintain fixed play behaviour without taking into consideration the play settings: their play differed greatly in accordance with the play setting. Not every child showed the same differences in play corresponding to differences in the setting. However, for each age group there was a qualitative difference based on the setting. For the three-year-olds, the ‘subject of interest’ changed between settings, whereas for the five-year-olds, the ‘participation in society’ changed related to the setting (indoor or outdoor). The ‘relation with the environment’ was greater for both age groups in the outdoor setting. There were no significant sex differences.

Children's Indoor Leisure Activities in France: Time Budget Data for Indoor Air Risk Assessment

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the time spent by children (0– 18 years old) in indoor places of leisure and also day-care centers. The sampling scheme was stratified by geographic region and size of town. This study was performed from September 2005 to March 2006. Families were asked to complete a diary by phone on their children's activities during the last week of school and the last week of a vacation period. The time spent in each place was then extrapolated for the winter period. We then evaluated the overall attendance and time (means and quartiles) spent by all of the children, and by those of children attending places. Information was collected on 2780 children. Gymnasiums were frequented the most (52.3% during the winter period) and were the places in which children spend the greatest amount of time (average: 19 min/day). Other places frequented the most included bars/restaurants (46.5%; average: 9 min/day), cinemas/theaters (42.2%; average: 10 min/day), and indoor pools (25.4%; average: 12 min/day). Our results should help in the prioritization of specific projects investigating exposure in children during indoor leisure activities and the evaluation of the risks associated with air pollutants in these places.

Design and Manufacture of a Museum-Grade Children's Indoor Trebuchet by Mechanical Engineering Students

The trebuchet, a medieval siege weapon, can play an important role in stimulating and maintaining interest in engineering and the physical sciences. We discuss our experience with use of a specialty trebuchet design project in engineering education and service learning. In particular, mechanical engineering juniors in a machine design and synthesis course designed and manufactured (based on formal specifications) trebuchets for use by children 5–12 years of age in an indoor museum environment. The entire process entailed brainstorming of ideas, concept selection, dynamic analysis, design for assembly (DFA) analysis, along with manufacture and testing. Throughout the process, feedback was solicited from the community partner, a local technology discovery center, or museum (‘The Works’). In the end, a total of six children's indoor trebuchets were manufactured and installed in the local technology center. The results presented are reproducible for use by other interested instructors.

Inclusive Indoor Play – Using Children's Drawings and Narratives to Gain an Understanding of Children's Indoor Play Preferences

Inclusive Indoor Play – Using Children's Drawings and Narratives to Gain an Understanding of Children's Indoor Play Preferences