Preschool Kids Research Articles

Correlation of body mass index and waist to height ratio with cardiovascular risk factors in Colombian preschool and school children.

To analyze the agreement between body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height Ratio (WHtR) to identify preschool and school children with cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). Three-hundred-twenty-one kids were divided into preschool (3-5 years) and school children (6-10 years). BMI was used to classify children as overweight or obese. Abdominal obesity was defined with a WHtR ≥0.50. Fasting blood lipids, glucose and insulin were measured, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The presence of CRFs and multiple non-waist circumference (non-WC) metabolic syndrome factors (MetS-Factors) [high HOMA-IR, high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were analyzed. One-hundred-twelve preschool and 209 school children were evaluated. WHtR ≥0.50 classified abdominal obesity in more than half of the preschool children, exceeding those classified with overweight+obesity by BMI (59.5% vs. 9.8%; p<0.001). There was no agreement between WHtR and BMI to identify preschool kids with CRFs and multiple non-WC MetS-Factors (kappa: 0.0 to 0.23, p>0.05). There were similar proportions of school children classified with abdominal obesity by the WHtR and overweight+obesity by the BMI (18.7% vs. 24.9%; p>0.05). There was substantial agreement between WHtR and BMI to identify school children with high total cholesterol values, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, non-HDL-C, insulin, HOMA-IR, low HDL-C values, and the presence of multiple non-WC MetS-Factors (kappa: 0.616 to 0.857, p<0.001). In preschool children WHtR ≥0.5 disagree with BMI results, but in school kids, it has good agreement with the BMI to classify the children´s nutritional status and to identify those with CRFs.

Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Preschool's Oral Health and Early Childhood Caries.

The present cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of caregivers toward oral health and early childhood caries (ECC) in preschool children in the Jazan population. The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 105 study subjects, including parents of children, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The demographic variables and information regarding the awareness and knowledge of caregivers were recorded. The data gathered were analyzed using statistical analysis using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Among 105 children, 66.7% were male, showing male predominance regarding ECC. Among parents, 52.4% were with a bachelor's degree. Most parents lack awareness in regard to dental caries affecting their children. Parents lack knowledge regarding various preventive and treatment options available. The study revealed that caregivers had very less knowledge and clinical practice concern with the oral well-being of preschool kids. The study's results reveal that promotion programs in relation to oral health are required to cover the gaps of knowledge among mothers of kids related to the care of oral health in their young kids. Different health-concerned behaviors are being affected by awareness and knowledge, and the health of the oral cavity is not an exemption. It has been postulated that diseases of the oral cavity are affected by social factors. Thus, this study was conducted to find the connection between the knowledge of parents regarding their oral health and the status of the health of their children's oral cavities. K Saheb SA, Najmuddin M, Nakhran AM, et al. Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Preschool's Oral Health and Early Childhood Caries. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):371-375.

Comparison of the postoperative in-hospital versus at-home recovery quality and circadian rhythm status in preschool kids after adenotonsillectomy: a cohort and observational study.

At present, minimally invasive surgery is often used in paediatric patients as a day surgery to promote rapid post-operative recovery. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Patients recovery in the hospital or at home after surgery may differ in terms of recovery quality and circadian rhythm status because of sleep disruption; however, this remains unknown. Pediatric patients usually unable to explain their feelings effectively, and objective indicators to measure recovery situation in different environments are promising. This study was conducted to compare the impact of in-hospital and at-home postoperative recovery quality (primary outcome) and circadian rhythm (as measured via the salivary melatonin level) (secondary outcome) in preschool-age patients. This was a cohort, non-randomized and exploratory observational study. A total of 61 children aged 4 to 6 years who were scheduled to receive adenotonsillectomy were recruited and assigned to recover either in the hospital (Hospital group) or at home (Home group) after surgery. There were no differences in the patient characteristics and perioperative variables between the Hospital and Home groups at baseline. They received the treatment and anesthesia in the same way. The patients' preoperative and up to 28 days post-surgery OSA-18 questionnaires were harvested. Moreover, their pre- and post-surgery salivary melatonin concentrations, body temperature, three-night postoperative sleep diaries, pain scales, emergence agitation, and other adverse effects were recorded. There were no significant differences in the postoperative recovery quality, as assessed by the OSA-18 questionnaire, body temperature, sleep quality, pain scales, and other adverse events (such as respiratory depression, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, hypertension, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting) between the two groups. The preoperative morning saliva melatonin secretion was decreased in both groups on the first postoperative morning (P<0.05), while a significantly greater decrease was found in the Home group on postoperative day 1 (P<0.05) and day 2 (P<0.05). The postoperative recovery quality of preschool kids in the hospital is as good as at home based on OSA-18 evaluation scale. However, the clinical importance of the significant decrease in morning saliva melatonin levels with at-home postoperative recovery remains unknown and warrants further study.

Designing Gamified Application: An Effective Integration of Augmented Reality to Support Learning

Early childhood learning is an important concern for the concept building of children. Students have been taught with traditional methods from the beginning. However, these methods lack kids’ attention. Application of Augmented Reality (AR) in a traditional way of teaching can help students in better engagement and better learning. In this research, an ABCD-AR mobile based application is designed to overcome the flaws in the traditional education system. While designing AR mobile applications, certain guidelines need to be considered that cause problems for kids in their learning. These may include but are not limited to small screen size and irregularity. Considering these problems, this study proposes 23 usability principles for AR based learning applications for kids. These identified usability principles are validated by human experts. Furthermore, experiments are carried out to evaluate the application in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, learn-ability, user satisfaction engagement. The results implies that the developed game-based application is highly effective and efficient because the mean of marks obtained by students before using ABCD-AR application is lower (M = 4.97, SD = 1.650) than the marks obtained after using ABCD-AR application (M = 7.97, SD = 1.608). Similarly, results indicate that mean of time taken to perform tests without using ABCD-AR application (M = 7.97, SD = 1.650) is higher as compared to with using it (M = 4.37, SD = 1.608). Majority of the students were entertained by playing the game while learning, and felt motivated to continue based on the game’s scenario due to the variety of activities included. Teachers and parents involved in these experiments have shown satisfaction towards the use of ABCD-AR application in learning process of preschool kids.

“You've Got a Friend in Me”—An Exploratory Study on Greek Parents’ Views on Their Children's Friendships at the Preschool Setting

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to find out if educational activities about friendship can lead to children's well-being, socialization and adaptation in the preschool setting according to parents’ perceptions. It is generally accepted that there are strong links between subjective feelings of well-being and companionship (family solidarity and friendship). We gain happiness through our relationships with other people. The relationships in the early years of human life are significant in the development of a healthy and happy human being. A qualitative study using educational activities such as pretend play, drawings and a friend's party among parents, children and teachers was applied. Fifty-two Greek pre-school kids participated in the project. After the 2-month implementation project, 25 semi-structured interviews were carried out with volunteering parents whose children participated. Each was recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Ethical considerations included confidentiality, possibility to withdraw items and approval of both parents and municipal authorities. Interviews revealed that activities dedicated to friendship at the beginning of the school year, could direct to bonding among children, shorter adaptation period and a positive parents’ attitude toward school and staff. Although parents were not actively involved in this curriculum, they were able to recognize changes on their children's well-being and adjustment. The importance of this educational program is highlighted in happy bonding among all and in involving parents in school life.

Relief, Development, Empowerment Part Three: Looking at the Larger Picture Amidst a Global Pandemic

Relief, Development, Empowerment Part Three: Looking at the Larger Picture Amidst a Global Pandemic

Treating attention problems in children exposed to intimate partner violence: Evaluating the Preschool Kids’ Club

Childhood exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) increases risk for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, and yet no known evaluations of interventions for IPV-exposed children have demonstrated effectiveness in treating their attention problems. This study examined the utility of the Preschool Kids’ Club (PKC), a treatment program tailored to the needs of preschool-aged children whose mothers had experienced IPV, in reducing children’s attention problems during this critical developmental period. Participants (N = 120) were preschool-aged children who, with their mothers, participated in an eight-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the PKC. Longitudinal multi-level modeling was used to evaluate the main effect of intervention participation on children’s attention problems, as well as moderating effects of IPV exposure and maternal depression. Although there was no main effect of intervention participation, children’s outcomes were moderated by IPV exposure. Specifically, among children exposed to high levels of IPV, symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity were significantly lower for intervention participants than children in the control group one year post-intervention. These improvements were not sustained in the eight-year follow-up. Results provide support for the use of trauma-specific interventions for children exhibiting attention problems following exposure to high levels of IPV. However, more comprehensive and long-term treatment may be necessary to promote enduring change.

Hubungan Parental Meta-Emotion dengan Kemampuan Regulasi Emosi Anak Pra-Sekolah

This study aims to determine the relationship between parental meta-emotion and emotion regulation on pre-school kids. In IndonesiaThe two dimensions of parental meta-emotion are emotion coaching and emotion dismissing. The independent variable in this study is emotion coaching and the dependent variable are emotion coaching and emotion dismissing. The sampling technique in this study uses purposive sampling technique with 97 mothers in Bandung City. The measuring instrument used in this study is Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) and Maternal Emotion Style Questionnaire (MESQ). The validity and reliability test in this study uses the Cronbach Alpha technique. The result of the validity coefficient on ERC move from 0,339 to 0,953 with reliability coefficient of a = 0,951 for liability/negativity dimension and 0,948 for emotion regulation dimension. While on MESQ move from 0,317 to 0,697 with reliability coefficient of a = 0,649 for emotion regulation dimension and 0,747 for emotion dismissing dimension. Based on data analysis, a correlation value between emotion coaching and emotion regulation is 0,139 with a significance level of 0,173 and a correlation value between emotion dismissing and emotion regulation is -0,416 with a significance level of 0,000. This shows that there is not a significant relationship between emotion coaching and emotion regulation, and also there is a significant relationship between emotion dismissing and emotion regulation on pre-school kids.

The Impact of a Digital Educational Story Based on Sports on Developing Alphabetical Learning Skills among Jordanian Pre-School Kids in Light of the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to identify the impact of a digital educational story based on sports on developing alphabetical learning skills among Jordanian pre-school kids in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study sample consisted of (29) pre-school kids from the leaders&amp;#39; international schools, &amp;quot;The International Curriculum,&amp;quot; which is affiliated to Al-Qweismeh District&amp;#39;s Directorate in Amman. The study used an Experimental approach; the study sample chosen by intention randomly was divided into two groups: experimental group (14) kids: (7) girls and (7) boys, and control group (15) kids: (7) are boys, and (8) are girls. To achieve the study&amp;#39;s goal, the researchers built a guide for the teacher to implement the experiment; they also built a pre-and post-test consisting of (16) items and provided the Arabic language teacher with digital educational stories based on sport learning the alphabet. The stories include the alphabet lessons: (letter al-ba, letter al-da, letter al-ha, letter al-ain), from the &amp;quot;curriculum in the Arabic language&amp;rdquo; for the academic year 2020/2021. The results of the study showed that there were statistically significant differences in favor of students of the experimental group, which studied the digital educational story in each Alphabet learning skills: Pronunciation, Abstraction, and writing, in the combined skills, and the absence of statistically significant differences attributed to gender, interaction in testing the skills of learning the alphabet together, and in each of the skills of learning the alphabets: (pronunciation, abstraction, writing). In light of the findings mentioned above, the researchers proposed a set of recommendations that include Arabic language curricula guides in digital educational programs based on sports to be used in learning and teaching processes in teaching Arabic.

Role of Animated vs Oral Mother Goose Songs in Language Acquisition of Pre-School Kids

The study is an attempt to explore the difference between the impact of oral mother goose songs (OMGS) and animated mother goose songs (AMGS) in language acquisition of pre-school kids. Two focus groups of fifteen mothers of pre-school kids in each are formed. Mothers of the focus group (oral) were advised to sing OMGS for their kids and mothers of the focus group (animated) were asked to show AMGS to their kids. The study concludes that role of OMGS is negative and AMGS is positive in terms of creating phonological awareness. OMGS and AMGS can both play a positive role in enriching the vocabulary of pre-school kids if screen time is limited, and parental monitoring is ensured. However, the role of OMGS is positive, and AMGS is negative in enhancing the speaking skills of pre-school kids.

Tools for Creating and Presenting Online Learning Resources for Preschool Kids

This article introduces a module for presenting interactive learning resources for kids in online and mobile environments. Traditional e- Learning systems are not suitable for children in preschool age, as they do not provide specific functionalities to meet the audience's presentation, interaction and focus requirements. To solve this problem, we propose a set of interactive software components for creating and visualizing lessons for kids, which can be integrated in existing and new e- Learning platforms and mobile applications. The article describes the challenges of using learning management systems, points out the needs of the specific audience, and finally reveals the functionalities of a module for realizing learning resources for kids.

Socioeconomic Status and Child Developmental Delay: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Children with developmental delays are at higher risk of poor health, and lower educational attainment and wellbeing than the normal ones. Objectives: As previous studies had contradictory results regarding the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and child development, the current study aimed at determining this association at the age of 60 months. Methods: The current prospective cohort study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, from summer 2011 to the end of 2016. The study was conducted on 640 mothers registered in the Fars Birth Cohort study. A checklist comprised of social and economic parts was employed. The children’s communication development was also assessed using the ages and stages questionnaire for 60-month-old children. In addition, SES was determined using 25 variables. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0 and partitioning around medoid (PAM) clustering in R 3.5.0 software; P value &lt; 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The majority of the subjects (79.1%) were categorized as the moderate level of SES; 106 (16.56%) children had a delay in at least one developmental domain. The current study results showed that the education level of parents and the occupational status of mothers were significantly associated with delayed communication skills in children (P &lt; 0.05). Delay in communication skills was significantly more prevalent among children whose parents had a low education level (P &lt; 0.05). After controlling other confounders, the relative risk of delay in communication skills was 3.7 times higher among children in the moderate level of SES and almost 10 times higher among the ones in the low level of SES. Conclusions: Children brought up in families with low SES had the highest level of delay in communication skills, followed by the ones in families with moderate SES. Considering the importance of communication skills in children socialization, more attention should be paid to SES of the families with preschool kids. It seems quite reasonable if health policymakers put more emphasis on the communication skills of preschool children.

Test for respiratory and asthma control in preschool kids in the emergency department as a predictor of wheezing exacerbations.

The test for respiratory and asthma control in kids (TRACK score) is a standardized questionnaire tool validated to identify poor symptom control in children with stable preschool wheeze. This study determined if TRACK score measured within 5 days of an Emergency Department (ED) visit for acute wheezing predicts a subsequent wheezing exacerbation requiring an ED visit and/or treatment with systemic corticosteroids within 3 months. This was a single-center prospective cohort study of children aged 36 to 71 months who presented to the ED with an acute episode of wheezing and had TRACK score measured at a clinic visit within 5 days of the index ED encounter, focused on information about symptoms occurring before the onset of the current acute episode. The outcomes were the independent association of a repeat wheezing exacerbation with the overall TRACK score (primary) and with mutually uncorrelated TRACK items (secondary), adjusted for sex and atopy. We enrolled 102 children; median age 52.3 (44.1, 59.9) months, 59% males. Of these, 33 (32.4%) had further wheezing exacerbations. For each 10 unit decrease in TRACK, the odds of a future exacerbation was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.10-1.75); male sex demonstrated OR, 5.13 (1.84-14.33). A model that included TRACK items reflecting more than equal to 1 awakenings for wheezing in the past 4 weeks, receipt of more than equal to 2 courses of corticosteroids in the last year and male sex was predictive of wheezing exacerbations: OR, 6.43 (2.18-19.00). In preschoolers with acute wheezing episodes in the ED, we have identified the TRACK score components which, together with male sex, can be used to identify children at risk of future exacerbations requiring referral for specialized care. These results need to be confirmed and validated in other populations enrolled at multiple sites before they can be implemented in practice.

The Prototype of a Story Book Based Platform for Preschool Programming Education

The importance of learning how to program can never be over-estimated. Even though there are already programming-learning applications for young children, most of the applications in this field are designed for children in the elementary school age or even above. Teaching younger children, for example, preschool kids, how to program appears more challenging. From our survey, it appears that even preschool kids can understand how to do programming and the question is simply which tools to use. Preschool kids usually start their reading from picture books. They learn mathematics, arts, histories, and a lot of knowledge with picture books. The goal of this research is to propose a platform for story tellers, illustrators, and programming education experts to cooperate to build picture books to teach preschool kids how to program. At this very initial stage, the platform is developed as a Web application and hence it can be easily accessed by various devices via Web browsers. The platform consists of a lean story editor, a picture book editor, and a programming concept editor.

Assessment of the efficiency of prevention of iodine deficiency among the children’s population of the city of Mezhdurechensk of the Kemerovo region

In the article there are presented results of a study of indices of ioduria in preschool kids and school children of the city of Mezhdurechensk (south of the Kemerovo region). 411 children aged of 3-17 years participated in the study. The median of ioduria on preschooler kids was 97,0 pg/l, and the proportion of urine samples with iodine levels less than 50 pg/l - 1,0%. The median of ioduria in school children is 98,0 pg/l, the percentage of urine samples with iodine levels less than 50 pg/l accounts for 1,3%. On average, on the population of children there was established that the percentage of urine samples with iodine levels from 50-100 pg/l (mild deficiency) was detected in 53,5% of children. Comparative analysis of indices of the level of ioduria according to data obtained in 2008 and 2014 in a group of school children showed that the measures taken to prevent diseases caused by iodine deficiency (the use of iodized salt in the diet of children and adolescents from organized groups on a regular basis) have given positive results.

Therapeutic observation of Tui-pushing Wujing plus Chinese patent medicine for infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of pediatric tuina plus Chinese patent medicine for preschool kids with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. Methods: Ninety-two eligible kids were divided into a tuina plus Chinese patent medicine and a Chinese patent medicine group by the random number table, with 46 cases in each group. The Chinese patent medicine group was intervened by oral administration of Qi Wei Bai Zhu San (Seven-ingredient Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder); the tuina plus Chinese patent medicine group was additionally given pediatric tuina therapy once a day, 20 min each time. Efficacy and safety were evaluated after 7-day treatment in both groups, and a 14-day follow-up was conducted. Results: After treatment, the symptom scores all changed significantly in the two groups (all P 0.05). The two groups each had one case of vomiting, which were treated properly and turned better. No other adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: Tuina plus Chinese patent medicine and Chinese patent medicine alone both are effective for diarrhea due to spleen deficiency in kids, but the combined therapy can produce more significant efficacy.

Junkbox, a waste management educational game for preschool kids

Waste management is becoming an increasingly important issue in contemporary society. The growth in consumption, the increase in urbanization and economic development have as main consequence an increase in the production of waste. Moreover, the population's bad recycling habits are becoming more and more entrenched. In this context, sustainable development has gained considerable importance and the need to teach new generations the value of protecting the environment is key and what through our research we are experimenting is the way of playing. In fact, basic but very significant behaviours can be activated through a game and they may become stable habits and then proper lifestyles. This paper describes an educational game that might support educators and trainers to raise environmental consciousness in kids. Starting from several co-design sessions conducted with teachers, children and parents, we elaborated an idea to target the stakeholders’ needs: making the separate collection an enjoyable experience by collectively awarding children after the correct disposal of waste. This idea foresaw a touchpoint finalized to become an integral part of every child's routine during school hours. “Junkbox” thus becomes a vehicle for learning how to recycle and turning waste separation into a game. This ritual helps children to achieve one of the most important goals of recent years: actively contribute to reduce the environmental costs of our bad habits and lifestyles.

Clinical and image analysis of extrarenal non-central nervous system malignant rhabdoid tumors

Objective To demonstrate the clinical and imaging features of extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor(MRT) outside the central nervous system(CNS) in children and to raise awareness of the disease. Methods A retrospective database review was made of 15 patients diagnosed with extrarenal MRT outside the CNS in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from April 2008 to February 2017.The ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) examinations were performed in 12, 10 and 7 cases, respectively, and the clinical and imaging features were analyzed. Results The 15 patients included 8 boys and 7 girls.The age at presentation varied from 11 days to 12 years and 9 months old with a median age of 4 years old.The primary tumors were predominant solid masses, most of which were irregular, with a length of 2.20-11.70 cm [(5.87±2.57) cm]. The primary tumors had variable locations, relatively tended to occur in the head and neck region (6 cases) and the mediastinum (4 cases). On ultrasound, 11 cases of the tumors were heterogeneous, 7 cases of the tumors were accompanied with cystic change, and the solid part was mainly hypoechoic.On CT, density of 6 cases of the tumors was uneven, 3 cases presented cystic change, 4 cases were with calcification, and the solid part had slightly low density, with enhancement of different degrees.On MRI, 7 cases of tumors showed mixed signal, 5 cases with cystic change of different degrees; the solid part mainly showed isointensity or slightly hypointensity on T1 weighted image and hyperintensity or slightly hyperintensity on T2 weighted image, with restricted diffusion and predominantly heterogeneous enhancement.Medical imaging showed definite hemo-rrhage within tumors in 5 patients, and metastases occurred in 6 patients at the time of diagnosis, the adjacent bone destruction occurred in 3 patients, and the tumor tissue of 3 patients extended into the spinal canal. Conclusion Extrarenal MRT outside the CNS is more common in preschool kids, most of which are large and heterogeneous solid masses, often with cystic change, sometimes with hemorrhage and calcification; the solid part with restricted diffusion and inhomogeneous enhancement.Some of the patients had metastasis and local invasion. Key words: Malignant rhabdoid tumor; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Child

Prediction Model of School Readiness

Studying the school readiness is an interesting domain that has attracted the attention of the public and private sectors in education. Researchers have developed some techniques for assessing the readiness of preschool kids to start school. Here we benefit from an integrated approach which combines Data Mining (DM) and social network analysis towards a robust solution. The main objective of this study is to explore the socio-demographic variables (age, gender, parents' education, parents' work status, and class and neighbourhood peers influence), achievement data (Arithmetic Readiness, Cognitive Development, Language Development, Phonological Awareness), and data that may impact school readiness. To achieve this, we propose to apply DM techniques to predict school readiness. Real data on 306 preschool children was used from four different elementary schools: (1) Life school for Creativity and Excellence a private school located in Ramah village, (2) Sisters of Saint Joseph missionary school located in Nazareth, (3) Franciscan missionary school located in Nazareth and (4) Al-Razi public school located in Nazareth, and white-box classification methods, such as induction rules were employed. Experiments attempt to improve their accuracy for predicting which children might fail or dropout by first, using all the available attributes; next, selecting the best attributes; and finally, rebalancing data and using cost sensitive classification. The outcomes have been compared and the models with the best results are shown.

Why Do Little Kids Ask to Hear the Same Story Over and Over?

One way people learn new words is through reading books and stories. Little kids love hearing their favorite stories over and over and are also very good at learning new words. We wondered if reading the same stories could be helping preschool kids learn new words. Our research tested if it was better to read the same stories over and over or to read a few different stories. Here we tell you about three studies that show preschool kids learn more words from the same stories over and over. Our research suggests that it’s easier to learn new words from stories when you have heard the story before and know what is going to happen.