Roma Children Research Articles

Oral health status of 6- and 12-year-old children of Roma origin from Eastern Slovakia: a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical effect of untreated dental caries in Roma children from eastern Slovakia using dmft/DMFT index and SiC index, association between dental caries development and oral hygiene, dietary habits and preventive dental care. Dental caries were assessed by recording the dmft index (for primary dentition) and the DMFT index (for permanent dentition) that are used to assess the state of teeth, which expresses the current state of teeth or its development in an individual or the entire population. The SiC index was calculated as the mean dmft of one-third of the population with highest caries scores. The normality of data distribution was tested by Shapiro-Wilk test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Chi-square test was used to compare proportions (oral hygiene, dietary habits and preventive dental visit). Data were analysed using ordered logistic regression and t-test. The study includes questionnaire containing 5 questions about dietary habits, oral hygiene and preventive dental visit. The results of presented study confirmed higher average values of DMFT (3.24) in the population of 12-year-old Roma children and lower average values of dmft (2.5) in the second group (p < 0.05). The value of SiC index represented 6.10 in the group of six-year-old and 7.66 in twelve-year-old children. Logistic regression was performed to test the magnitude of the association between dental caries and related factors. There was statistically significant association between average value dmft/DMFT and dietary habits, oral hygiene, and preventive dental visit in both study groups. The study revealed insufficient oral hygiene of the Roma children population. Systematic implementation of preventive examinations for oral hygiene and health programmes are needed to promote oral health. The study represents a pilot study of the SiC index values in Roma minority population from eastern Slovakia.

Writing a Novel with Roma Primary School Children: Tensions in Disrupting Aetonormativity

Story Makers Press (SMP) is a University-based publisher which co-constructs stories with under-represented groups of children in order to diversify representation in children’s literature and disrupt the way adult perceptions of normality pattern children’s literature (aetonormativity). In this paper we analyse six drama and creative writing workshops run by SMP with Czech and Slovak Roma children from an inner city primary school in the north of England to co-construct a story about climate change. Our analysis identifies how in developing the story, the children were often reluctant to draw upon their funds of knowledge relating to their Roma backgrounds, instead Westernising their protagonists and settings. We also explore how the children disrupt aetonormativity by interweaving magical elements into realistic narrative about climate change in order to establish a genre of magical realism. Finally, we identify how this genre of magical realism is problematic when considering stereotypical depictions of Roma characters in children’s literature and how changes were made to our story in light of a critical race theory reading of the first draft. As well as helping SMP to refine its processes, this analysis suggests that minority groups such as Roma need to be able to draw upon more literary representations of Roma in order to shape their creative outputs and that the curriculum needs to focus on developing children’s critical responses to the representation of minority ethnic groups in children’s literature.

Principals’ views on policies and practices for the educational inclusion of Roma people

The role of school principals is recognized as crucial for the daily operation of schools in general and specifically for the management of the challenges posed by the increasing diversity of the current era. In this article, kindergarten principals’ views regarding policies and practices for the management of diversity with reference to one of the most marginalized group, the Roma people, are examined. For this purpose, ten semi-structured interviews with kindergarten principals in areas in which Roma people live either in settlements or inside the residential areas were conducted. Data analysis indicates that principals are aware of the inadequacies of the policies regarding the Roma people and they propose a series of measures at local and central level for the improvement of the school inclusion of Roma children. However, principals are also trapped to a deficit discourse that transfers to the Roma people the major responsibility for their social and educational exclusion.

Roman Çocukları ve Okula Devamsızlıkları: Kırklareli’de Bir Okul Örneği

Ülkemizde Roman öğrenciler arasında okula devamsızlığın büyük bir sorun olduğu bilinmektedir. Çalışmamız ile Kırklareli İlinde Roman çocukların eğitimini sürdürdüğü Vali Faik Üstün İlkokulu öğrencilerinin okula devamsızlık sebeplerini ortaya koymak ve sorunların çözümüne katkı sağlamak amaçlanmıştır. Vali Faik Üstün İlkokuluna kayıtlı öğrencinin yaşadığı 189 haneye 05.12.2016- 31.12.2016 tarihleri arasında gidilerek aileleriyle sahada görüşülmüştür. Okulla ilgili devamsızlık sebeplerini ortaya koyacak Veli Anketleri, Sosyal Hizmet Alan Tarama Formu, Öğrenci Devam Anketi uygulanmıştır. Analizde tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve ki-kare testleri kullanılmıştır. İstatistiki anlamlılığın belirlenmesinde p değerinin 0,05’in altında olan değerler anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Araştırmanın yapıldığı hanedeki babaların %13,7’si (n =24) okuryazar değil iken, annelerin %43,5’inin (n=80) okuryazar olmadığı görülmüştür. Ebeveynlerin eğitimsiz olması, hanede yaşlı birey ve engelli birey bulunması okula devamsızlık sorununda istatistiki olarak anlamlı düzeyde etkili bulunmuştur (p&amp;lt;0,05). Çalışmada Roman öğrenci devamsızlığının öncelikle aileye özgü faktörlerden, kısmen de öğrenciye, okula, topluma özgü diğer faktörlerden kaynaklandığı görülmüştür. Ebeveynlere, çocuklarının okula devamsızlığında kendilerinin de önemli bir rol oynadıkları, bir tutum değişikliği sağlanana kadar ısrarla anlatılmalıdır

Μπορεί η διαδικασία της αυτο-κατηγοριοποίησης των παιδιών Ρομά να εξηγήσει τις σχολικές τους δυσκολίες;

The current study aimed at the understanding of the difficulties Roma children encounter in school through the understanding of the process of their selfcategorization. It is examined whether the stereotypes of the dominant group for them are adopted by the young Roma through the self-categorization process adjusting their behavior. The behavior beyond the ordinal school rules, the school failure and the vocational guidance as stereotypes of the Greek society for the Roma were examined as well. Forty Roma infants and children participated in the study. Participants identified themselves with a Roma protagonist of the puppet show who was in intergroup comparisons and afterwards they answered questions about the dimensions of the school life that correspond to negative stereotypes for the Roma. Results showed that the stereotypes of the out group are recognized and attributed to the Roma protagonist since their infancy, and without having the experience of the actual intergroup relations within the school settings. Roma children adopted the stereotypes denoting that they have behavioral problems at school, that they have learning difficulties, and that they will follow a job of a low social status in their lives. The actual intergroup conditions during schooling change some of the adopted stereotypes through the process of the self-categorization. The results are discussed in the light of the intervention programs.

Roma Health: An Overview of Communicable Diseases in Eastern and Central Europe.

The Roma are Europe’s largest minority. They are also one of its most disadvantaged, with low levels of education and health and high levels of poverty. Research on Roma health often reveals higher burdens of disease in the communities studied. This paper aims to review the literature on communicable diseases among Roma across Eastern and Central Europe. A PubMed search was carried out for communicable diseases among Roma in these parts of Europe, specifically in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and North Macedonia. The papers were then screened for relevance and utility. Nineteen papers were selected for review; most of them from Slovakia. Roma continue to have a higher prevalence of communicable diseases and are at higher risk of infection than the majority populations of the countries they live in. Roma children in particular have a particularly high prevalence of parasitic disease. However, these differences in disease prevalence are not present across all diseases and all populations. For example, when Roma are compared to non-Roma living in close proximity to them, these differences are often no longer significant.

THE CONFRONTATION OF EDUCATION AND CUSTOMARY LAW AT SCHOOL: THE CASE OF ROMA GIRLS

Aim. The main goal of the article is to generalise and describe the aspects revealed during the ethnographic research conducted in 2018 that are related to the gender of Roma girls, as representatives of ethnic group, which have influence on the process of education in the context of school community.&#x0D; Concept. During the ethnographic research conducted in one of the schools in Lithuania in 2018, the fragments of Romani customary law were revealed, which are directly related to the female gender and show how belonging to a certain gender can have impact on the process of education at school. The Roma students were observed in their daily learning and communication environment, i.e. at school. The ethnographic research helped to reveal the ways a Roma school student thinks (interview method) and behaves (observation method) in a basic school. The present research was based on anthropological methodology (Okely, 2002; Bhopal &amp; Myers, 2008; Durst, 2010) and mainly focused on one case-study.&#x0D; Conclusion. The Roma girls in the research acknowledged that life of Roma men is easier and that a heavy burden is placed on the shoulders of girls, what often hinders their successful learning. The burden mentioned by the Roma girls is related to responsibilities in housework and family. She is accompanied by the pressure of community to start a family early: to get married and to give birth to children and, thus, to emphasise and confirm own belonging to this ethnic group and continuation of traditions. The situation is exacerbated by the stereotypes in society and the Roma community, which in most cases are ruthless towards Roma girls and women.&#x0D; Cognitive value. The patriarchate, as the basis of Romani culture, and the unwritten customary law accompanying it frequently become a source of ambiguity. The Roma people, as an ethic group, draw a very distinct boundary between the understanding of "we" and "they", i.e. "the Roma people" and "gadje". Being a non-Roma researcher, i.e. gadje, one faces a difficult challenge - not to make mistakes interpreting various aspects of Romani culture, especially such sensitive ones as gender, gender roles and inequality. However, it becomes easier evaluating indisputable facts: the Romani customary law has influence on the process of their children's education. Roma children (girls in particular) still abandon the system of education too early (from our, gadje, perspective). EU documents (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights [FRA], 2014) indicate that more Roma girls than boys indicate the fact of marriage or pregnancy to be the reason for early school leaving. The academic discourse, feminist anthropology allows for particularly critical evaluation of processes.

The Influence of Religious Education on the Religiosity of Roma Children in Slovakia

The primary purpose of this research is the question of religiosity among secondary school-age Roma children attending Religious Education (RE) programs in Evangelical churches in Slovakia. This study adopted the questionnaire “Brief Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality” used by the Fetzer Institute in a General Social Survey (GSS) to examine the religiosity of Roma children attending RE and not attending RE. We asked questions about their daily spiritual experiences and personal religious habits. This study revealed some variation in the values of both groups of respondents and the correlation coefficients describing the degree of relationship between them.

Strengthening partnerships for Roma children’s participation in health policy and practice in Europe

Abstract Background Whilst some Roma children thrive, many experience poor health, housing and nutrition. This is linked to antigypsyism, economic inequalities, poor experiences of healthcare and other denials of social citizenship. Children globally are demonstrating about climate change, an issue of particular importance to those Roma children living in the most polluted and hazardous conditions affected by environmental waste and climate related risks. Academic and policy discourse recognises that finding solutions requires involvement of Roma children and young people, but to date there is very little research in this field. This paper explores how Roma children (aged below 18) can guide policy and practice to promote public health and sustainable development goals. Methods A review of literature on participatory practice with Roma children and young people was combined with a qualitative European survey (conducted Feb - June 2020) in English and Bulgarian. Critical realist analysis of data identified mechanisms that enabled inclusive and impactful participation in public health related matters, for whom and in which circumstances. Results Preliminary results, illustrated with examples from three European countries, indicate that participatory practices are more inclusive where Roma children lead identification of the issues they wish to address; there are explicit links to current service and policy opportunities; intergenerational and intersectional alliances are built; opportunities are community- based, not simply engaging with children in education; and pathways towards employment are offered. Partnership with Roma and Pro-Roma NGOs is vital. Conclusions Success in public health related participatory practice with Roma children is promoted by using inclusive methods and making links between everyday challenges and local, national and international policy (reflecting on structural inequalities). There is need to build decision-makers' capacity and commitment. Key messages Roma children can be effective partners in public health policy and practice. Supporting Roma youth leadership enables inclusiveness.

Roma child participation in public health policy and practice across Europe

Roma teenagers are often excluded from participation opportunities, when they could be informing a wide range of law, policy and practice. CoE and EU recommendations make it clear that improvements in living conditions can only be achieved through active participation of Roma people. The 2018 Roma Civil Society Monitoring report reinforces that 'it is essential for Roma to be involved not only in narrowly defined 'Roma issues', but also in a wider range of topics and policies'. We address the question of what methods enable Roma children to become involved in influencing health policy and service design, focusing on the case of Bulgaria. A qualitative European survey (Feb - June 2020) in English, French, Spanish and Bulgarian identified professional perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on children, with a focus on Roma families. Case studies of Roma children's experiences, and examples of their participation, were analysed of these case studies was conducted by the authors (combining sociological, public health and community perspectives). Accuracy of emergent findings were assessed through dialogue with survey participants. Preliminary results indicate that participatory practices that enable Roma children's participation in designing public health policy, services and responses are limited and pre-existing inequalities are deepening. However relevant isolated examples of inclusive participation were identified: information design, peer-administered questionnaires, arts-based activities, dialogue events, and campaigning in Bulgaria and beyond. Inclusive methods that enable Roma teenagers' engagement in health policy and service design are closely tied to methods used with other communities facing discrimination. However, significant structural barriers, related to economic inequalities and anti-gypsyism are additional barriers faced by some Roma children. International exchange of examples of such practices could inform future health promotion practice.

24.M. Workshop: Deprived adolescent children access to health

Abstract Adolescence is a vulnerable phase in human development. The age of the mother is essential for normal pregnancy and delivery with a good outcome. Sixteen million of mainly deprived adolescents give birth each year, constituting 11% of all births world-wide. Maternal and newborn health is one of the key markers of health inequalities worldwide. It has been ranked as the third leading source of funding for health and reproductive health with an investment of US$ 12.6 billion between 2013 and 2015. This workshop with five panelists will raise the importance of using the right data for analysis and advocacy on improving preventive health program effectiveness targeting deprived minor adolescents globally, by highlighting the case of Roma adolescents' in Bulgaria. Moreover, the Bulgarian law does not allow an independent access to gynecologist for anyone below 16 years, which includes the most at risk children with no supportive formal guardians or parents. Sanofi Espoir Foundation's evaluation of a decade long investments on reducing health inequalities will highlight the importance of adjusting preventive health programming to specific needs of the excluded adolescents globally by emphasizing irregular outcomes and often no real and sustainable impacts, despite numerous stakeholders, significant amount of energy and money engaged. Additionally, presentation on Bangladesh comparing trends of perinatal mortality in two rural Areas of Matlab over nine years, and on Nepal focused health impacts of parental migration on left-behind adolescents will share magnitude of insufficient attention to addressing access to health of deprived adolescents, especially in connection to their sexual and reproductive health. There is also an insufficient adjustment of preventive health programming targeting excluded Roma adolescents in Europe due to an insufficient application of the UN CRC participation principle in these programming. An example of Bulgaria shows a disproportional disadvantaged experience of deprived Roma children particularly visible in relation to health. Adolescent girls of Roma origin are particularly vulnerable because they face the risks of premature pregnancy and childbirth and premature childbirth. The percentage of low birth weight infants is more than four times higher among Roma children which carries a range of grave health risks for children. More than half of Roma women between the ages of 20 to 24 years were married before the age of 18. Prevalence of teenage parenthood among Roma girls is higher and the immunization coverage among segregated Roma communities is far below recommended 90%. The perspectives of the children who are the most in need of preventive health services is very often missing in the design, implementation and monitoring of these, as these programming is predominantly done through schools, even though these children are frequently outside of educational systems especially in teenage years. Key messages Deprived adolescents out of schools should be included in all phases of health programming that is their immediate concern including planning, implementation and evaluation phase. Health laws limiting access to health for minors should be adjusted for children with disadvantaged socio-economic background.

How Reliably Can We Measure a Child's True IQ? Socio-Economic Status Can Explain Most of the Inter-Ethnic Differences in General Non-verbal Abilities.

Roma children have been discriminated against for many years as they are denied access to high-quality education based on their scores on general non-verbal IQ tests. Rushton et al. (2007) showed that Roma perform more poorly than non-Roma on one such test (i.e., Raven Progressive Matrices), but suggest that this underperformance could be explained by Roma’s low socio-economic status. In this paper, we tested the non-verbal abilities of Roma children and expanded on the research of Rushton et al. (2007) by investigating empirically the potential mediating effects of socio-economic status on children’s performance on Raven Progressive Matrices. Results showed that the performance of Roma children was, on average, significantly lower than the performance of their non-Roma peers; however, the effect of ethnicity was partially mediated by the parents’ education and living conditions (while the parents’ income had no significant effect). As hypothesized by Rushton et al. (2007) some socio-economic factors can explain important variability in the performance of Roma children on general non-verbal tests, and their poor performance on such tests may lead to an underestimation of the true population mean.

Help and Solidarity Interactions in Interactive Groups: A Case Study with Roma and Immigrant Preschoolers

Peer interactions in early childhood education play a key role in establishing the first structures of social relationships and foundations for future development. Engaging in social exchanges with different people enriches children’s concurrent and future learning opportunities. Building on the importance of diversifying interactions, interactive groups (IGs) are a specific dialogue-based classroom organization format that creates an inclusive learning environment by allocating students to small heterogeneous groups with an adult volunteer per group. This classroom organization format has produced reported evidence of enhancing social cohesion and academic achievement, mainly in elementary education. However, its potential to foster positive peer interactions in Early Childhood Education among disadvantaged children remains unexplored. Therefore, this case study explores in depth the type and frequency of positive peer interactions in interactive groups in a preschool classroom serving mainly Roma and immigrant children with a very low SES. The results show that in this context, children acknowledge each other’s work and provide help, guidance, and solidarity interactions when solving academic tasks. Our analysis reveals that children internalize the rules and functioning of the IG since those aspects emerge in their conversations during the activity. Implications for practitioners and policymakers are also discussed.

Silenced Narratives on Schooling and Future: The Educational Situation for Roma Children in Norway

This article explores how Roma pupils in Norway experience school. Using portraiture methodology, I narrate the experiences of Leah, Hannah and Maria, focusing on their situation before and after the transition from elementary to lower secondary school. The article demonstrates how children negotiate and are negotiated by, intersecting racializing and gendering structures, using decolonial perspectives. One key finding is the complexity in how the schools’ knowledge discourses, and subsequent practices and attitudes, play out in the girls’ agency. I emphasize the need to produce counter-narratives by identifying agency, rather than depicting Roma in positions as either exotic or marginalized. Overall, the article addresses how coloniality still produces and upholds structures of inequality that render groups like Roma as non-existent in education. Turning the lens towards the inadequacy of an educational system that struggles to recognize the need for radical structural change, the article challenges a strong metanarrative within research and public debate that depicts “the different Roma culture” as the main explanation to low educational attainment among Roma pupils. I argue that the agency of Roma in Norway, who historically have resisted formal education experienced as forced assimilation, represents a unique opportunity to critically examine and rethink how inclusion is understood and operationalized in schools. Thus, knowledge about how school is experienced by Roma pupils today constitutes a vital contribution to the needed effort to decolonialize the educational system.

ИНТЕРАКТИВНЫЕ МЕТОДЫ РАННЕГО ОБУЧЕНИЯ ИНОСТРАННОМУ ЯЗЫКУ ДЕТЕЙ РОМОВ КАК ВОЗМОЖНОСТЬ ДЛЯ ПРОЯВЛЕНИЯ ПОЗИТИВНОГО ОТНОШЕНИЯ К ШКОЛЬНОЙ ЖИЗНИ

В последнее время культурное разнообразие в болгарской школе увеличивается, что требует обсуждения некоторых возможностей для выявления и решения поставленных перед учителями задач и вопросов, которые связаны с обучением детей из различных этнических групп. Настоящая разработка рассматривает возможности интерактивных методов, используемых как средство формирования позитивного отношения детей ромов к школе. Целью статьи является выявление проблемы, связанной с удержанием детей ромов в образовательной системе и возможности её решения через изменение традиционной образовательной среды в направлении полноценного общения между участниками, сотрудничества и совместного решения задач в образовательном процессе. Применение интерактивных методов обеспечивает детям обучение и опыт, при котором все ученики равны, независимо от их социальной или этнической принадлежности.&#x0D; С учётом этого представлены интерактивные методы обучения, через которые стимулируется интерес детей ромов к овладению английским языком как иностранным, а также их позитивное отношение к школьной жизни в целом.&#x0D; Предложенные интерактивные методы апробированы с учениками из этнической группы ромов, которые обучаются в начальной школе. Эти методы применимы к каждой образовательной системе, направленной на десегрегацию детей ромов и обеспечение педагогической поддержки для обучения английскому языку и не только.&#x0D; В настоящем докладе описывается следующая комбинация интерактивных методов:&#x0D; &#x0D; визуализация;&#x0D; обучение в сотрудничестве с вариантом работы в малых группах;&#x0D; подвижная игра.&#x0D; &#x0D; В результате проведённого исследования и анализа полученных результатов мы пришли к обобщению, что применение интерактивных методов в начальной школе раскрывает возможности в отношении нарастания интереса у учеников ромов к изучению английского языка как иностранного, а также в отношении их мотивации учиться и повышению их готовности принимать участие в учебной деятельности.

Influence of forced child marriage and domestic violence on mental health and well-being. Conflict of traditions and rights of Roma children

Summary Domestic violence in forced child marriage can have impact on mental health and well-being of an adolescent. However, mental health problems are discussed less often than other negative consequences forced child marriage can cause. Although there are several international conventions, appropriate domestic law and active administrative bodies and NGOs embodying the strategies for protecting children, women and human rights, all these tools seem to be inefficient to protect children in a community practicing traditions which violate children’s rights. Article maps the available legal tools and analyses their application in European practice discussing whether these tools are effective enough to protect Roma children from domestic violence in forced child marriage and ensure their mental well-being.

“Hybrid psychology agent”: Overcoming the about/for dichotomy from praxis

I draw on my experience in community development with “othered” groups to present the idea of the “hybrid psychology agent.” This, I contend, is a key figure in overcoming the dichotomies alleged by Indigenous psychologists and confronted by Held (2020). On the one hand, the concept is rooted in hands-on work in multicultural settings. It is also supported by Cultural-Historical research through projects such as Service Learning that connect higher education students with disenfranchised Roma children. On the other hand, the concept follows a critical theory framework where, as implied by Held, a paradigm shift in science is needed. The issue at point is not whether folk Indigenous knowledge should replace so-called objective knowledge, but how the latter should embrace the experience of a more diverse psychological object and subject, mainly through the participation of “othered” people as psychology scientists and practitioners.

The cross-sectional study of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in selected groups of population in Slovakia

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with domestic or free-living members of family Felidae known as the only definitive hosts of the parasite. The study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in selected population groups in Slovakia and to analyse the infection risk factors. Totally 1536 serum samples of voluntary respondents were examined by EIA Toxoplasma IgG (Test-Line Ltd., Clinical Diagnostics, Brno, Czech Republic). IgG antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 322 (21.0%) sera, with the highest seropositivity recorded among farmers (42.5%) and hunters (28.5%). According to age, the highest seropositivity was recorded in 12-18-year-old Roma children (46.2%), what confirms increased risk of infection in this minority that often lives in inadequate hygiene conditions. When only adult participants were taken into account, the highest seroprevalence was observed in the age group of ≥ 70years. Higher risk of infection (p < 0.05) was connected with cat ownership, living in rural residency and consumption of raw meat and meat processing. The results underline the importance of preventive measures and ongoing need to improve the knowledge on toxoplasmosis in both professionals and public.

Traditional practices and perceptions of epilepsy among people in Roma communities in Bulgaria

PurposeWe attempted to identify cultural aspects of epilepsy among the Roma community in Bulgaria by elucidating cultural beliefs, traditional treatments, and potential markers of stigma. MethodsWe established representative discussion groups among five distinct Roma subgroups (Lom, Kalderas, Thracian Tinsmiths (Tinkers), Kyustendil Xoroxane and Kopanari) from different Bulgarian regions. Data about local beliefs and treatment strategies were gathered. ResultsMost people were familiar with convulsions but non-convulsive focal seizures were seen not as epileptic but mainly as a “mental problem”. Beliefs about putative etiologies for epilepsy were not uniform as some considered environmental and external factors such as high environmental temperatures, electric shocks, loud music, and fever as causes of seizures while others listed bad experiences, stress, trauma, and fear as possible causes. Epilepsy was seen by some as a divine punishment or resulting from black magic. Most considered epilepsy shameful and an obstacle to children attending school. Despite local differences, there was a uniform belief that epilepsy is incurable by Western medicine and people usually resort to traditional healers. A variety of rituals performed by local healers to treat epilepsy were described. DiscussionMisconceptions about epilepsy may contribute to stigmatization in this population; this may in turn contribute to a high treatment gap in this group. As a result, the majority of Roma children with epilepsy are likely to leave school early, are greatly limited in their choice of spouse (particularly girls), and marriages often occur between people with epilepsy or those with a family history of epilepsy.

Are the Mental State Verbs Important For Roma Children’s Understanding of False Belief Task

Objectives. The aim of the paper is to analyze the process of acquisition of mental state verbs in Romani and in Bulgarian langauges simultaneously by bilingual Roma children. The mental state verbs help the children to understand the Fals Belief Tasks, which predict the Theory of Mind. The theory of mind from other side is important for understanding the intentions, desires, jokes, motivations of others and what are the factors influencing the development of theory of mind&#x0D; Research methods and techniques. Two Roma children from Bulgaria (1 boy and 1 girl) aged 1;0 – 3;0 years were audiorecorded longitudinally in their natural home environment. According to M. Taumoepeau and T. Ruffman (2006), the mental state verbs can be grouped in different categories, showing different states: mental states, physical states, emotions, perception and cognition. The acquired verbs are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.&#x0D; Results. The data shows that some mental state verbs are acquired in Romani and others in Bulgarian. The factors influencing the acquisition of part of the verbs in Romani and the other part in Bulgarian are analyzed. Mental state verbs are important for the cognitive development of the children. The results show that the the boy uses 100% Romani mental state verbs: very high number of verbs are related to (1) mental states, e.g.: mangav (want), dehav (love), arakhav (care about), džanav (know); (2) emotions: xavxoli (angry), khanile (feeling bad); (3) physical state, e.g.: dukhal (hurt), rovav (cry); (4) sense, such as: dikh (look). The girl uses 89.0% mental state verbs in Romani and 19.0% in Bulgarian language. The learned verbs by her are related to mental state from Romani: mangav (want), džanav (know), darav (be afraid) and from Bulgarian: obicham (love), znam (know), iskam (want). The other verbs from the field of emotions, physical state and sense are from Romani.&#x0D; Conclusions. The resreach although limited has shown that sentences with mental state verbs in a combination with a noun phrase in a simple sentence are acquired around the age of 1;6. The more complex sentences with mental state verb and complementizer phrase are acquired around the age of 2;6 years old.