Children Working Research Articles

PERCEPTION OF MAIDS AND NANNIES AS “NECESSARY EVILS” BY BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO FEMALE STUDENTS’ EMPLOYERS

This paper explores the views of Bayero University Kano female students’ employers toward maids and nannies – girls aged 8 to 15 – who they engage to help them care for their children and in the performance of some household chores. Without the services of these maids and nannies, many such students may be constrained to pursue their education and career. The women employers are privileged, high status individuals; the maids and nannies, on the other hand, are poor and drawn mainly from rural areas, compelled to take up such employment to help put food on the table for their families. Interviews with the respondents (the employers of the maids and nannies) revealed that despite sorely needing the services of the maids and nannies, they have a poor perception of them, they are “a necessary evil.” The irony of the fact that the maids and nannies are children who risk physical and emotional hazards, in addition to being deprived of the opportunity to pursue education is lost on their employers and the larger society that turned a blind eye to it. In other words, as long as the conditions that propel young children to seek jobs as domestic workers persist, and for as long as there are no alternatives for the privileged urban-based woman, child domestic work will continue. The paper recommends that child employment and compulsory education legislations be enforced in addition to the provision of crèche facilities at tertiary institutions and work places, where none exists, as a panacea to the problem.

The Effects of Gymnastics Programs with Different Cognitive Loads on Working Memory and Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate the effects of gymnastics programs with high versus low cognitive load on children's visuospatial working memory (VSWM) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation. Eighty-one healthy children aged 7 to 10 from Taipei City were randomly assigned to high cognitive load (HG), low cognitive load (LG), and control (SC) groups. The HG and LG groups underwent an 8-week gymnastics program with different levels of cognitive load, while the SC group participated in a static course. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included VSWM tests and simultaneous monitoring of PFC oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration. The results showed time-related improvements in response accuracy and d-prime (d') from the pretest to posttest for both the HG and LG groups but not for the SC group. Additionally, the HG group demonstrated higher response accuracy and d' compared to the SC group at the posttest. Although VSWM-related HbO concentration was higher during task conditions requiring higher WM load compared to low WM load, no intervention effect was found. Further correlation analysis controlling for intervention-related fitness changes revealed positive associations between time-related changes in VSWM performance (response accuracy and d') and HbO concentration across all participants, with a similar correlation between response accuracy and HbO remaining specifically in the HG group but not other groups. These findings suggest that a 8-week gymnastics program can enhance VSWM performance and such cognitive benefits may be maximized by incorporating higher cognitive loads into the intervention. Despite the positive correlations between time-related changes in PFC oxygenation and VSWM performance, the gymnastics programs did not alter task-related PFC oxygenation, suggesting that intervention-induced VSWM improvement may not be solely dependent on changes in task-related PFC oxygenation.

ПЕДАГОГІЧНІ УМОВИ ТА МЕТОДИ ФОРМУВАННЯ СЕМІОТИЧНОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ МАЙБУТНІХ УЧИТЕЛІВ МУЗИЧНОГО МИСТЕЦТВА

The artistic direction is one of the priorities in modern Ukrainian education. The modernization of the artistic, particularly musical, educational space, which has been ongoing for several decades, requires, first of all, the strengthening of the professional training of higher education graduates. Modern educational requirements encourage future music teachers not only to thoroughly study the fundamental theoretical foundations traditional for music-pedagogical practice, but also to involve the newest, competitive foundations in the process of their professional training. The improvement of professional competence currently requires a number of important components, without which the further practical realization of the potential of young people in music-pedagogical activities is impossible: performance skills, deep musical-theoretical training, a significant level of scientific-pedagogical practice, originality of creative self-realization. In this professional system, a prominent place is now given to the musicological and analytical dimension, which is difficult to imagine without a deep understanding of the specifics of the language of musical art. Therefore, it seems appropriate to involve the basics of musical semiotics with its extremely wide possibilities of deciphering and interpreting any musical text in the analytical activity of future teachers of musical art. In order to create the basic theoretical provisions necessary in the future for the study of the semiotic competence of future teachers of musical art, it is important to highlight the current pedagogical approaches and methods of its formation. The purpose of the research is to study two pedagogical conditions and the methods corresponding to them, connected in the process of forming semiotic competence of music teachers with practical processing of the acquired knowledge base and stimulation of creative self-realization of the individual. The most favorable for the implementation of the mentioned pedagogical conditions can be considered the activity of students during music-theoretical training. It is proved that the semiotic analysis of children's musical works is of special importance for future music teachers in this context.

MERAJUT KESADARAN LINGKUNGAN MELALUI CERITA ANAK LUH AYU MANIK MAS KARYA NI NYOMAN AYU SUCIARTINI: KAJIAN EKOKRITIK

Environmental damage has become an urgent global issue, including in Indonesia. Related to these problems, environmental education through children's story media can be used as a strategic approach to instill ecological awareness from an early age. One of the relevant children's literary works used is Luh Ayu Manik Mas: Ngelawan Luu Plastik, which not only raises environmental issues but also integrates local wisdom values. By using an ecocriticism approach, this study aims to analyze how the relationship between humans and nature is represented in children's stories. The research uses a content analysis method with a ecocritism approach, which focuses on three main aspects: environmental criticism, environmental education, and local wisdom. The results of the study show that this story conveys a strong criticism of the use of single-use plastics and their impact on ecosystems, such as coastal pollution and threats to marine life. Environmental education is present through dialogue that encourages readers to play an active role in reducing plastic waste. In addition, the local wisdom of the Hindu community in Bali is also depicted in the narrative of the story through a number of rituals, daily life practices that prioritize sustainability, and the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana to promote harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality. Thus, this story is not only an effective educational medium, but also serves as a means of preserving relevant local cultural values to face global environmental challenges.

How can we measure labour exploitation and develop interventions to protect migrant workers’ health? Insights from intervention-focused research on cattle ranching in Brazil and child domestic work in Liberia and Nigeria

Abstract Much of our food and services rely on the work of migrants, which is often carried out under exploitative terms. Exploitative work results in work-related injuries and illnesses and mental ill-health. Yet, the global health community has been negligent in detecting migrant workers in the general population, and in measuring the effects of their work terms on their health. For instance, the International Labour Organization’s global labour force and forced labour surveys capture few health data. Conversely, health surveys, such as the Demographics and Health Survey (DHS), include few questions on exploitative and hazardous work conditions or aspects of migration status. Studies are even more remiss when it comes to developing evidence for work-related health interventions. This presentation will draw on two recent mixed-methods studies - on cattle ranching in the Amazon region of Brazil (Pará State) (n = 1,241), and on child domestic work in Liberia (n = 1,088) and Nigeria (n = 1,088). Findings suggest some necessary improvements to the measurement of migrant labour exploitation and its health effects, and approaches to gathering intervention-focused evidence. Each study highlights the value of re-thinking data collection beyond disciplinary silos and narrow dichotomous measures (e.g., forced/unforced labour), towards generating a more specific understanding of the different dimensions of labour exploitation (e.g., pay conditions, hours, occupational health and safety training and PPE), various types of associated harm, and how they compare across sectors and contexts. Further, each study demonstrates the benefits of intervention-focused research methods that are designed to feed directly into participatory intervention development processes. On this basis, we will suggest shifts in measurement and research designs to foster operationalizable evidence on migrant workers’ working conditions, health, and worker-informed interventions.

КАЗАХСКАЯ ДЕТСКАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА И ТВОРЧЕСТВО А. СОПЫБЕКОВА

This article examines the trends in the development of Kazakh children's literature in the 1950s and 1960s, focusing on its thematic and ideological orientation. It also delves into the creative world of poet Adyrbek Sopybekov, whose significant contributions to the field are explored. The author analyzes fantastic poems and other selected works by A. Sopybekov, considered the best examples of children's poetry, and paying close attention on their thematic, ideological features, and artistic aspects. Children's poetry during the years of national independence remains a relatively understudied topic. Examining the creative laboratory of poets who have worked significantly in this direction, and thereby studying the direction and nature of modern children's poetry, drawing conclusions about thematic and ideological features, artistic aspects, is one of the urgent tasks facing the science of national literary studies. While valuable insights into Adyrbek Sopybekov's children's works have appeared in the press, a dedicated, comprehensive analysis of his creative portrait within the framework of Kazakh literary studies is still lacking. This article aims to address this gap by offering a broader differentiation of the poet's work, thereby assessing his characteristic style, his methods of conveying artistic ideas to children, and the educational value inherent in his writing. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate A. Sopybekov's contributions to Kazakh children's literature of the 1950s and 1960s and to gain a deeper understanding of his poetic skill.

A Study on the Effects of Memory Training and Speech Processing Intervention on Children's Working Memory and Speech Skills: Based on the Perspective of Brain and Cognitive Science

The present study examined the effect of phonological processing and working memory intervention on the verbal working memory and phonological skills of children with Specific reading disorders. Ten participants between 7 to 10 years of age who met ICD 10 criteria for specific reading disorders, were assigned to an experimental group, or a control group. Intelligence screening was done using the Colored Progressive Matrices. Pre - test and post - test measures were the Test of Memory for Children (TOMC) and Informal Reading Assessment (IRA). The intervention group received 30 sessions of phonological processing intervention and working memory intervention. The control group received no intervention. Post - test assessments included TOMC and IRA. Participants who had received the intervention showed more improvement than controls. The majority of the participants in the experimental group performed higher post - intervention.

Parental attachment and emotion regulation in children: the mediating role of working memory

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of children's working memory levels in the relationship between attachment insecurity levels and emotion regulation skills. A total of 150 children aged 5 years, 75 girls and 75 boys, were selected by the stratified cluster sampling method and their mothers participated in the study. The data were collected using the Memory Battery for Preschool Children, Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory, Emotion Regulation Skills Scale and Coping with Child's Negative Emotions Scale. The findings indicate that the child's level of attachment insecurity to parents is directly associated with both emotion regulation skills and working memory capacity. Additionally, the study reveals that as the working memory levels of children increase, their emotion regulation skills also increase. The final finding of the study indicates that the child's working memory levels mediate the effect of attachment insecurity on emotion regulation skills. The results of this study indicate that children with insecure attachment should be given support to improve their working memory performance, to enhance their emotional regulation skills. This suggests that even in the context of attachment insecurity, the development of emotion regulation skills can be supported by fostering working memory development.

The effect of parental health shocks on living arrangements and employment.

This study investigates the impacts of health shocks among older individuals on the dynamics of their living arrangements in Europe and the United States. Exploiting unpredicted health shocks, we use an event-study difference-in-differences approach to demonstrate that health shocks increase difficulties with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, thereby increasing the need for care. Our findings indicate that health shocks raise the probability of nursing home residency and co-residence with adult children by 0.7 and 1.4 percentage points in Europe, and by 2.1 and 1.8 percentage points in the U.S., respectively. Further analyses reveal that more generous long-term care public policies correlate with a higher probability of nursing home residency and a lower probability of co-residing with adult children, highlighting the significant role of public policies in household responses to health shocks. Additionally, we find that health shocks negatively impact adult children's labor supply, particularly in the U.S.

Community-based elderly home care services policy and household consumption enhancement: Evidence from China

The influence of elderly consumption is increasing, and community-based elderly home care service (CEHCS), as an important social security system, will have a significant impact on household consumption levels and consumption structure. This paper utilizes data from five batches of CEHCS pilot policies implemented in China from 2016 to 2020, combined with data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2020, to design a dynamic difference-in-differences model to systematically evaluate the dynamic effects and mechanisms of CEHCS on elderly household non-durable goods consumption. The study found that after the coverage of CEHCS, the consumption levels of non-durable goods such as clothing, daily necessities, and cultural and entertainment products in middle-aged and elderly households significantly increased year by year, while consumption of durable goods significantly decreased. Moreover, the impact of CEHCS was more pronounced in households with lower housing assets and rural households. Mechanism analysis suggests that CEHCS promote the increase in non-durable goods consumption by alleviating children's labor constraints, reducing the family's caregiving burden, and diminishing precautionary savings. This paper provides further empirical evidence on the pathways through which elderly care services influence household consumption behavior, which holds significant implications for proactively addressing population aging and unlocking household consumption potential through micro-institutional design.

Employers’ Perspective of Hiring Child Domestic Workers Rather Than Adult Workers

Domestic child labor has remained a pervasive and pressing issue in many parts of the world for a long, despite various actions and efforts to have been made to combat it globally. Child domestic labor in Pakistan remains a deeply entrenched and concerning issue, characterized by multifaceted challenges that significantly impact the lives of countless children. Child domestic labor persists due to a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, lack of opportunities and cultural norms, among others. This study aims to clarify the reasons behind child domestic work and address the various dimensions of this problem through a comprehensive investigation. This qualitative study was conducted to precisely identify the complex and multifaceted phenomenon of employers' preference for hiring child domestic workers (CDWs) over adult workers. A sample of 15 respondents was drawn from the specific localities of Lahore. Primary data was collected through an interview guide and analyzed thematically for results and coherent discussion. The study reveals the intricate web of factors that underpin this preference, highlighting the economic, social, and practical considerations that shape the lives of both employers and CDWs. Furthermore, the study explores the need for clear legislation to address child labor misconceptions.

“Getting along” and “using evidence”: Elementary engineering as contentious practice

AbstractElementary engineering, as an emergent or “contentious” practice, is fertile ground for cultural analysis. Contentious practice (Holland, D., & Lave, J. (2001). History in person: Enduring struggles, contentious practice, intimate identities. School of American Research Press) highlights how historically enduring narratives of science, engineering, schooling, and minoritized youth get taken up, figured, and refigured in local practice. The study's research questions were: What classroom cultural narratives of “good engineers” were important for fifth‐grade, minoritized children's engineering design work? How did local and macro‐level cultural narratives about science and engineering, elementary schooling, and minoritized students intersect? How were multi‐leveled cultural narratives consequential for children's engineering work? Using ethnographic methods, researchers analyzed videos, field notes, and interviews with 20 students and their teacher, focusing on engineering design discussion and activities. The authors identified two key narratives: good engineers (1) get along well with others and (2) use evidence to make design decisions. The banality of these narratives makes them ripe for deconstruction. By beginning with children's meanings of engineering competence and framing engineering as contentious practice, the authors: (1) identify the tensions in these seemingly innocuous narratives and practices; (2) illustrate children's creativity and labor in navigating tensions; (3) demonstrate the workings of macro‐level racialized, technocratic, and Western scientistic narratives and their reconfigurations in local practice; and (4) reject deficit‐based perspectives that would frame classroom struggles by assigning blame to the teacher or students. Recommendations for practice include normalizing disagreement, providing tools for joint decision‐making, broadening meanings of evidence, and co‐constructing meanings of kindness. A contentious practice lens highlights the ever‐presence of historicized narratives in local productions of practice and renders elementary engineering as an ongoing accomplishment, opening spaces of possibility less readily available to established practices of elementary schooling. However, without explicit attention to countering racialized narratives applied to minoritized youth in such settings, these spaces tighten up, limiting the potential for social change.

Practitioner Perspectives on Agency Social Work in Children and Families Social Work in England

Abstract This article examines practitioner perspectives on agency social work in Local Authority Children’s Services Departments in England. There have been ongoing concerns about the use of agency workers, relating to cost, quality and impact on services, despite a recognition that temporary staff may be needed for a range of reasons. However, recent labour shortages and the escalating costs of agency staffing are fuelling calls for some form of regulation of agency workers. The article reviews literature on agency workers from the UK and elsewhere. It presents demographic survey data about agency workers drawn from a five-year longitudinal study on the recruitment and retention of child and family social workers and reports qualitative data from forty semi-structured interviews with social workers in Year 4 (Johnson et al., 2022) of the project about their experience of agency social work and agency social workers. The findings indicate several reasons for choosing agency work, pay being the most significant but by no means the only one. The advantages and disadvantages of agency work for workers, employers and service users are considered, and suggestions are offered about further research to assist in understanding how employers can identify and address recruitment and retention factors to reduce dependence on agency staff.

A qualitative exploration to inform an oral health training for disability care workers in Burkina Faso.

To explore enablers and barriers to the creation of an oral health training for care workers at specialized centres for children with disabilities in Ouagadougou. This was a formative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework using qualitative methods. Qualitative observations and 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with care workers from six specialized centres for disability. Carer workers emphasized that a successful oral health training must account for available resources and competencies in each specific centre. Part of the training must be dedicated to oral hygiene targeted for people with disabilities and provide knowledge about risk factor management. Care workers must be empowered through the training with practical skills and tools to manage regular toothbrushing and identify oral health needs of their dependents. This study gathered valuable and unique perspectives about the roles of care workers of children with disabilities in Ouagadougou and underscores the need for improving access to oral health and care services for children with disabilities in low-resourced settings. Teams planning oral health promotion activities in low resourced settings for vulnerable population groups can benefit from the methodology and results of this research for ensuring their interventions are appropriate and relevant. This is a unique field study conducted in a scarcely researched area of caregiving practices for children with disabilities in a low-income country, Burkina Faso. Results from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low-resourced settings. Psychiatric and mental health nursing practices are highly context-dependent, thus using proposed qualitative methods can help to ensure that planned interventions are appropriate and relevant. There was no patient contribution in this study.

The Present Situation Analysis and Optimization Measures of Kindergarten Labor Education from the Perspective of Returning to Life

This study is guided by the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Strengthening Labor Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in the New Era, combined with the relevant requirements of the Guidelines for Kindergarten Education (Trial), from the perspective of returning to life. The status quo of kindergarten labor education was analyzed in depth. Through systematic review and practical observation, it is found that there are some problems in the implementation of kindergarten labor education, which are mainly manifested in the lack of policy basis, the lack of professional teachers, the imperfect curriculum system, and the low support of parents. This study believes that labor is an integral part of life. Labor education should return to life, guide children to understand the world with its practicality, foundation, and comprehensiveness, form a positive labor quality, improve aesthetic ability, and lay a good foundation for the connection between preschool children. Based on this, this paper puts forward the strategy of optimizing kindergarten labor education, including integrating kindergarten labor education into life to cultivate childrens labor habits, combining family life to expand childrens labor experience, and connecting community life to enhance labor cognition, so as to provide operable ideas and suggestions for the development of kindergarten labor education.

Comparative Analysis Between Children's Perspective and Adult Perspective in Old Stories in the South of the City

With the development of fast-paced life and increasing pressure in modern society, children's literature-related works are becoming increasingly abundant. Returning to the world of children and exploring the beauty of childhood is one of the important topics of current research. The research topic of this article is the connection between children's perspectives and adults' perspectives. The research method of this article is as follows: First, read the text of the novel, looking for chapters that fit the theme as well as the direction of the research. Three aspects were selected: the conflict between "madness and civilization", the dialectic of "right and wrong", and the helplessness of "separation and growth". Then, through direct comparison and analysis, it is discovered that the child's perspective is to think deeply about this rational adult world with a critical eye. Finally, it is concluded that children's eyes can not only discover the beauty of the adult world but also present the true nature of children's resistance to and criticism of the real world. It also provides insight into the contradictions and hopelessness behind them and explores the expression of rationalization.

Perlindungan Hukum terhadap Pekerja Usia Anak di Indonesia

The existence of child exploitation and child labor will add to labor problems in Indonesia. The term "child labor" refers to people who employ children. The term "child labor" can be associated with the use of children's labor with low compensation or considerations regarding their personality development, safety, health, and future prospects. Most child workers do not have time to play or go to school like other children. Underage people work as hard as adults, both in formal and informal jobs. To save child labor in the future, a holistic and comprehensive solution model is needed. One method that can be used is a client-centered case management approach (centered on the client or child worker).

Beyond the Darkness: Exploring the Myth of Solar Eclipse in The Total Solar Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Every Soul A Star

Children's literature often serves as a tool for conveying complex phenomena, and one such phenomenon is the solar eclipse. While lunar eclipses have been a recurring theme in children's literature, solar eclipses have received less attention in this context. Nevertheless, in the wake of the remarkable total solar eclipse in the United States in 2017, certain children's literary works have been popular because of the use of the solar eclipse as a central theme. Noteworthy examples include The Total Solar Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Andrea Cuevas and Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass, both narrate tales set against the backdrop of a solar eclipse. This study examines the role played by the solar eclipse in character development and the incorporation of mythical elements within these selected novels by employing David Leeming's theory of myth, through a close reading. This study demonstrates how the solar eclipse symbolizes character growth, fostering enhanced self-confidence and self-acceptance, thereby reflecting the mythological notion that solar eclipses possess transformative potential. Furthermore, these novels encompass myths such as the act of biting during a solar eclipse, the transformation, the rituals during the eclipse, and the euphoria of the solar eclipse. However, this study also reveals instances of misinterpretation of these myths, thereby highlighting potential issues of cultural appropriation, which may contribute to children's misunderstanding.

School, family, and children's development in Time Storeand Be Friend with The Sky

In recent years, many South Korean children's literary works have been translated into Vietnamese. Meanwhile, some beautiful Vietnamese pieces are translated into Korean. The translation has led to cultural interactions through literature, expanding the horizon of young readers in the two countries. From that reality, the article applies the juxtapositional model of comparison to examine two pieces of workTime Storeby L.N. Young(2015) [1](South Korea) andBe Friend with the Skyby N.N.Anh(2019) [2](Vietnam) to explore new meanings of each work. Iftime storeemphasizes the role of time pressure on children in modern society,Be Friend with the Skyaffirms the healing role of love for children. By juxtaposing these two pieces of work and specifically analyzing child characters in their interactions with school, family, and their self-advocacy, the article shows dialogues in opposite directions, which eliminates the viewpoint of the role of adults towards children in the two pieces of work mentioned above. Besides, through the juxtapositional model of comparison, the article also discusses the interactions between Vietnamese and South Korean children's literature in the early 21stcentury.

Impaired Myocardial Work in Children with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Left Ventricular Fibrosis on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Echocardiography is pivotal for diagnosis and monitoring of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and can evaluate myocardial function using myocardial work (MW) calculations. Echocardiography is often supplemented by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, which can detect myocardial fibrosis using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). We sought to study the relationship between baseline LGE and MW at baseline and during follow-up in pediatric HCM patients. During the study period (2008-2023), 75 patients were followed up for HCM. In 14 patients (age 14.2 ± 2.8years, 50.0% male, 6.4 ± 2.9years follow-up), both LGE-CMR and echocardiography were performed. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work, and global work efficiency (GWE) were measured, and myocardial fibrosis was estimated by qualitative assessment of LGE. Patients with LGE (n = 7) exhibited significantly impaired baseline MW, including GWI (mean difference, MD - 487.4mmHg %, 95% CI [- 866.8mmHg % to - 108.3mmHg %], p = 0.027), GCW (MD - 536.8mmHg %, 95% CI [- 929.8mmHg % to - 144.4mmHg %], p = 0.020), and GWE (MD - 4.4%, 95% CI [- 8.1% to - 0.7%], p = 0.039). Regional analysis revealed impaired MW indices in segments with LGE, notably basal and mid septal segments. GWI demonstrated high diagnostic performance for LGE presence (sensitivity 93%, specificity 88%, and area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.85). Baseline LGE presence had no significant impact on MW deterioration during follow-up. MW is significantly impaired in HCM patients with myocardial fibrosis, highlighting potential utility of echocardiography-derived MW analysis as a valuable tool.