Young School-age Children Research Articles

Positive reappraisal of stressful situations by children of younger school age

Stress as an individual phenomenon is a specific kind of emotional experience usually associated with negativeemotions and analysed in their context. However, under certain circumstances stress may also trigger positive emotions; analysing a stressful situation and reflecting upon it may lead one to perceive benefits of stressful experience and undertake positive reappraisal of encountered difficulties. The author’s own empirical research reveals that a considerable percentage of children finishing their early-stage school education believe that it is possible to find something advantageous, good and positive in stressful situations full of negative emotions. Examples of such positive aspects of stress given by those children indicate that for some of them the developmental process that involves coping with difficult situations has already started. The children begin to act independently (analyse the difficult situation, talk about it, ask questions, check the effectiveness of strategies) in order to overcome difficulties and find their meaning in human existence.

Obesity and physical fitness indices of children aged 5-12 years living on remote and isolated islands.

Obesity has become one of the major health risks in childhood, significantly affecting children's health and physical fitness. Although the marked increase of obesity in urban areas is well established, evidence is limited in remote and isolated areas with adverse socioeconomic features. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity and its association with physical performance indices in young school-aged children living in 18 remote and isolated Greek islands. Four hundred and sixty-three children (244 boys, 219 girls), aged 5-12 years underwent a series of physical fitness tests including 20 m sprint, standing long jump, 1 kg medicine ball throw, agility T-test and sit-and-reach test. Age and gender BMI cut-off points were determined according to World Health Organisation (WHO) norms. The prevalence of obesity was 23.8% and 13.2% for boys and girls, respectively. A negative body mass index (BMI) main effect was observed for weight-bearing activities, such as 20 m sprint (F=6.21, p=0.000, η2=0.041) and standing long jump (F=11.369, p=0.000, η2=0.074), while medicine ball throw was positively correlated with BMI in children aged 9-12 years. The results of this study confirmed previous findings on obesity prevalence in Greece. A negative association was also found between BMI and physical fitness indices and, in particular, in weight-bearing activities. It is critical to establish physical education interventions and physical fitness programs at schools, aiming to increase motivation for physical activity participation.

Assessment of adaptation of children of younger school age with cerebral palsy to occupations at correctional school

Formation of a school maturity at children of younger school age is the main objective of modern education. Special attention in the last decades is paid to children with disturbances of a musculoskeletal system, in particular, to children with the cerebral palsy (CP). Such children study at special correctional schools which prepare the pupils for independent life and work in society.
 Research objective: to estimate adaptation of children of younger school age with cerebral palsy to occupations at correctional school.
 Materials and methods. 75 children with the diagnosis are examined: Cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia mild or moderate severity, delay of psychomotor development, pseudobulbar dysarthtia. All children studied in state-funded educational institution for children with limited opportunities of health special (correctional) comprehensive school (the IV look) No. 584 "Ozerki" of Vyborgsky district of St. Petersburg (school No. 584 "Ozerki"). The age of children was from 7 to 11 years. The following indicators were estimated: quality of life of children by means of the questionnaire of PedsQL for category of children of 8-12 years, electroencephalogram indicators, the neurologic status, extent of disturbance of the speech. Children were examined by the neurologist, the psychologist and the logopedist.
 Results. 72% of children had the average and low level of adaptation. According to classification by L.A. Wagner (1989), “the low level” of adaptation prevailed at boys (42.2%) (the negative relation to school, suppressed mood, frequent complaints to an illness). “High level” also dominated at boys (33.4%) while at girls “the high level” of adaptation was observed only at 6 people (20%). Clinical inspection taped that at children the hyper excitability syndrome prevailed (at boys – 51.2%, girls – 63.3%). Also it was noticed that extent of disturbance of the speech depends on degree of a lesion of the central nervous system and also on age and sex features. The quality of life of children of elementary school is reduced. In scales of the questionnaire of PedsQL “physical functioning”, “emotional functioning”, “life at school” points don’t exceed 50. Only in a scale “social functioning” an indicator more than 70 points.
 Conclusions. The complex rehabilitation including the medical, psychology and pedagogical and logopedic care is necessary for children of elementary school of school No. 584 “Ozerki”.

Prevalence and risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis in school-aged children: A school based study in western Sichuan, People's Republic of China.

BackgroundTaenia solium cysticercosis affects millions of impoverished people worldwide and can cause neurocysticercosis, an infection of the central nervous system which is potentially fatal. Children may represent an especially vulnerable population to neurocysticercosis, due to the risk of cognitive impairment during formative school years. While previous epidemiologic studies have suggested high prevalence in rural China, the prevalence in children as well as risk factors and impact of disease in low-resource areas remain poorly characterized.Methodology/Principal findingsUtilizing school based sampling, we conducted a cross-sectional study, administering a questionnaire and collecting blood for T. solium cysticercosis antibodies in 2867 fifth and sixth grade students across 27 schools in west Sichuan. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models controlling for school-level clustering to study associations between risk factors and to characterize factors influencing the administration of deworming medication. Overall prevalence of cysticercosis antibodies was 6%, but prevalence was significantly higher in three schools which all had prevalences of 15% or higher. Students from households owning pigs (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% CI 1.08–3.03), from households reporting feeding their pigs human feces (adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.03–2.16), and self-reporting worms in their feces (adjusted OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.18–2.91) were more likely to have cysticercosis IgG antibodies. Students attending high prevalence schools were more likely to come from households allowing pigs to freely forage for food (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.72–2.98) and lacking a toilet (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.38–2.46). Children who were boarding at school were less likely to have received treatment for gastrointestinal worms (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42–0.80).Conclusions/SignificanceOur study indicates high prevalences of cysticercosis antibodies in young school aged children in rural China. While further studies to assess potential for school-based transmission are needed, school-based disease control may be an important intervention to ensure the health of vulnerable pediatric populations in T. solium endemic areas.

Knowledge and attitudes of elementary students about reproductive health (preliminary study on elementary school in Brebes district, Central Java, Indonesia)

Background: Knowledge of elementary students about reproductive health in Indonesia still lack. There are so many students who did not know how to maintain good reproductive health. Efforts to give lessons reproductive health or sex education to elementary school age children today is still considering taboo, but this problem should be anticipated as soon as possible. To decrease maternal mortality rate and unmet-need needs innovation to educate students. Education about reproductive health is one of strategic ways to increase elementary students’ knowledge and attitudes about reproductive health. This study conducted to evaluate effect of reproductive health education and provision of media on elementary students in Brebes.Methods: This study utilized quasi experimental pre and post-test one group design. Population of these study 70 elementary students (3 Government ES) in Brebes.Results: Based on the results of different test with Wilcoxon Match paired Test obtained were significant differences between the respondents' knowledge and attitudes before and after reproductive health education and provision of media (p=0.001).Conclusions: That means there were significant interventions in the form of education and provision of media to increase knowledge and attitudes of respondent about reproductive health. The results demonstrate that interventions can significantly improve knowledge and attitudes of respondents (p<0.005; Delta: 19.82). Recommendation to improve risk of maternal mortality rate is a reproductive health education with early intervention in young elementary school age children as one of strategic actions to improving knowledge and minimize incidence of teenage pregnancy.

The Effect of Remote Masking on the Reception of Speech by Young School-Age Children.

Psychoacoustic data indicate that infants and children are less likely than adults to focus on a spectral region containing an anticipated signal and are more susceptible to remote masking of a signal. These detection tasks suggest that infants and children, unlike adults, do not listen selectively. However, less is known about children's ability to listen selectively during speech recognition. Accordingly, the current study examines remote masking during speech recognition in children and adults. Adults and 7- and 5-year-old children performed sentence recognition in the presence of various spectrally remote maskers. Intelligibility was determined for each remote-masker condition, and performance was compared across age groups. It was found that speech recognition for 5-year-olds was reduced in the presence of spectrally remote noise, whereas the maskers had no effect on the 7-year-olds or adults. Maskers of different bandwidth and remoteness had similar effects. In accord with psychoacoustic data, young children do not appear to focus on a spectral region of interest and ignore other regions during speech recognition. This tendency may help account for their typically poorer speech perception in noise. This study also appears to capture an important developmental stage, during which a substantial refinement in spectral listening occurs.

Relationship with peers of young school-aged children with type 1 diabetes

Background: Functioning in a peer group plays an important role in child development. Building self-esteem of children depends on many factors such as physical health, self-evaluation of their physical performance, academic achievement, social support, family relationships, as well as relationships with peers and teachers. Importance of contacts with peers increases during school-age. At this time children are not able to reject the opinion of other people and subject their behaviour completely to the expectations of their peers. When the need for emotional contact is not satisfied, the complex of being different appears. Isolation within group causes a sense of inferiority, the child becomes passive and resigned. Children, who are chronically ill, rejected or isolated often follow negative emotions in their actions, they become aggressive towards other children or do not want to continue learning. Often the decision about an individual teaching plan results in further isolation of the child. The child’s position in the peer group affects the developing personality, self-confidence and self-esteem. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the interpersonal relationships of young school-aged children with type 1 diabetes in their peer groups. Material and methods: The study was conducted on children with type 1 diabetes and their parents, who are supervised by Clinic of Diabetes, Regional Medical Center in Opole. The research tool used in both groups was a questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions elaborated by the authors of this study. Results: 73% (41) of evaluated children declared that diabetes does not hinder their performance at school. 93% (55) children claimed that they do not hide their condition from their peers. In addition, 61% (34) talk about their illness with their peers and 69% (38) of them can count on their peers’ help in self-control of diabetes. 71.9% (46) of parents of children with type 1 diabetes allow their children to participate in school trips and 68.8% (44) to participate in school competitions. Conclusions: In most children, diabetes does not affect children’s performance at school. They participate in classes, are accepted and liked in their peer group. Chronically ill children should be able to participate in all types of activities as much as their healthy peers. It seems necessary to continue studies on performance of young school-aged children with type 1 diabetes in their peer group.

Children's shyness and frontal brain maturation

Although shyness is a ubiquitous phenomenon and long viewed as a maladaptive characteristic, we know relatively little about the possible brain mechanism(s) underlying and maintaining shyness. Using a prospective longitudinal study, we examined frontal brain maturation in shy children. We collected measures of resting regional EEG spectral power approximately every six months for two years in young school-age children and characterized frontal brain maturation using a growth curve analysis of proportion of spectral power in relative faster-to-slower EEG frequencies. We found that children classified as low in shyness exhibited a significant linear growth in the proportion of overall frontal alpha power relative to delta power across assessments relative to children classified as high in shyness. High shy children displayed no growth in the proportion of overall frontal alpha power relative to delta power across assessments. These preliminary results indicate that high shy children exhibited delayed frontal brain maturation compared to low shy children. We interpret these findings within the context of a proximate explanation, suggesting links between delayed frontal maturation and emotion dysregulatory processes related to an approach-avoidance conflict. We also speculate on an ultimate explanation in which delayed frontal brain maturation may reflect neoteny (i.e., the prolongation and extension of childhood), which may have supported an adaptive function of shyness across human evolution.

Funkcionalne sposobnosti učenika u školama na Kosovu i Metohiji

The younger school age is one of the most important periods in the growth and development of a child, during which it is necessary to pay great attention to the development of the child's functional abilities. The results of recent research, especially children of younger school age, indicate that there is a problem of a constant decline in the functional abilities in pupils of both sexes. This research was conducted on a sample of 139 second grade elementary school schoolboys and schoolgirls. Four variables were examined for which is considered to give a picture of the functional status of the students: heart rate at rest (FPUMI), heart rate after load (FPPOP), Harvard step test (FHAST), and vital lung capacity in cm3 (FVKAP). The main goal it was to determine whether there are differences in functional abilities between schoolboys and schoolgirls of the second grade of elementary school. The results of the multivariate analysis (MANOVA) have shown that there is a statistically significant difference between the schoolboys and schoolgirls in analysed functional abilities. A univariate analysis (ANOVA) revealed that schoolboys had better results in measurements of heart rate at rest (FPUMI) and heart rate after load (FPPOP). On the Harvard step test (FHAST) and vital lung capacity measurements (FVKAP) there were no significant differences between the schoolboys and schoolgirls. It was concluded that the current physical education curriculum does not contribute sufficiently to the development of the functional abilities of the schoolboys and schoolgirls of the junior school age.

Influence of body posture on foot load distribution in young school-age children.

For each of the examined children, this study determined the parameters describing the body posture with the use of the photogrammetric method and the parameters describing plantar force distribution. The statistical analyses were performed using the U Mann- Whitney test and the student's t-test. The correlations between the parameters of the body posture and the parameters describing the foot load distribution were analysed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. These analyses were performed at a statistically significant level of p < 0.05. The tests conducted showed an occurrence of postural defects in about 42% of the subjects and excessively uneven loading of the lower limbs in about 65% of the children. The authors obtained a medium intensity correlation between the analysed parameters for the groups of boys and girls.

Особенности детско-родительских отношений и проявления тревожности детей старшего дошкольного возраста

Особенности детско-родительских отношений и проявления тревожности детей старшего дошкольного возраста

Zastupljenost posturalnih poremećaja kod dece mlađeg školskog uzrasta

Zastupljenost posturalnih poremećaja kod dece mlađeg školskog uzrasta

Convergent validity of the Richmond Reversal Rating in relation to visual-spatial perception as measured by the SASP

This study examined the convergent validity of the visual perceptual Richmond Reversal Rating (RRR) assessment, in relation to visual-spatial abilities of young school-aged children, using known-groups validity and convergent validity hypotheses testing. Seventy-two primary school children (Years 1-3) were assessed with the RRR assessment and the Spatial Awareness Skills Program Test (SASP). The Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated a significant difference between the RRR overall scores and the SAPS grouped scores, H(2) = 6.155, p = .046. Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed a low positive yet significant correlation (rs = .433, p = .000) between the RRR overall scores and the SASP percentile scores, and a significant moderate positive correlation between the RRR overall scores and the SASP scores (rs = .666, p = .000). The results provide evidential support for the convergent validity of the RRR assessment in relation to visual-spatial abilities as measured by the SASP. Key words: Letter reversals, number reversals, visual-spatial abilities, school based occupational therapy

Teaching English language to young school-age children while making projects, playing games and using robotics

Teaching English language to young school-age children while making projects, playing games and using robotics

Stav antropometrických parametrov a telesného zloženia u detí mladšieho školského veku

The aim of our observation was to measure selected anthropometric characteristics and to analyze actual body composition in children of younger school age from elementary schools in Prague. The group consisted of a total of 222 probands, boys (n-117) and girls (n-105) aged 8–11 years (average boys age = 9.0 ± 1.0 years, body height = 139.9 ± 8.6 cm, body weight = 32 ± 7.5 kg, BMI = 16.3 ± 2.4 kg.m–2). Average age girls = 8.9 ± 0.9 years, body height = 137.3 ± 8.8 cm, body weight = 30.5 ± 7.3 kg, BMI = 15.9 ± 2.4 kg.m–2). The BIA 2000 M multi-frequency apparatus (whole-body bioimpedance analysis) was used to analyze the body composition. Children of younger school age showed higher TBW values – total body water (boys 65.5 ± 6.0%, girls 66.6 ± 6.5%), low body fat (boys 16.1 ± 2.4%, girls 16.5 ± 2.9%) and higher ECM/BCM coefficients (boys 1.0 ± 0.13, girls 1.02 ± 0.11). The authors draws, attention to the importance of monitoring other body composition parameters. The percentage of fat-free mass (FFM) and the share of segmental distribution of body fat and muscle mass on individual parts of the human body.

Hearing Technology Use and Management in School-Age Children: Reports from Data Logs, Parents, and Teachers.

Consistency of hearing aid and remote microphone system use declines as school-age children with hearing loss age. One indicator of hearing aid use time is data logging, another is parent report. Recent data suggest that parents overestimate their children's hearing aid use time relative to data logging. The potential reasons for this disparity remain unclear. Because school-age children spend the majority of their day away from their parents and with their teachers, reports from teachers might serve as a valuable and additional tool for estimating hearing aid use time and management. This study expands previous research on factors influencing hearing aid use time in school-age children using data logging records. Discrepancies between data logging records and parent reports were explored using custom surveys designed for parents and teachers. Responses from parents and teachers were used to examine hearing aid use, remote microphone system use, and hearing aid management in school-age children. Thirteen children with mild-to-moderate hearing loss between the ages of 7 and 10 yr and their parents participated in this study. Teachers of ten of these children also participated. Parents and teachers of children completed written surveys about each child's hearing aid use, remote microphone system use, and hearing aid management skills. Data logs were read from hearing aids using manufacturer's software. Multiple linear regression analysis and an intraclass correlation coefficient were used to examine factors influencing hearing aid use time and parent agreement with data logs. Parent report of hearing aid use time was compared across various activities and school and nonschool days. Survey responses from parents and teachers were compared to explore areas requiring potential improvement in audiological counseling. Average daily hearing aid use time was ∼6 hr per day as recorded with data logging technology. Children exhibiting greater degrees of hearing loss and those with poorer vocabulary were more likely to use hearing aids consistently than children with less hearing loss and better vocabulary. Parents overestimated hearing aid use by ∼1 hr per day relative to data logging records. Parent-reported use of hearing aids varied across activities but not across school and nonschool days. Overall, parents and teachers showed excellent agreement on hearing aid and remote microphone system use during school instruction but poor agreement when asked about the child's ability to manage their hearing devices independently. Parental reports of hearing aid use in young school-age children are largely consistent with data logging records and with teacher reports of hearing aid use in the classroom. Audiologists might find teacher reports helpful in learning more about children's hearing aid management and remote microphone system use during their time at school. This supplementary information can serve as an additional counseling tool to facilitate discussion about remote microphone system use and hearing aid management in school-age children with hearing loss.

Combining implicit and explicit intervention approaches to target grammar in young children with Developmental Language Disorder

Children with Developmental Language Disorder are likely to experience difficulties with morphosyntax, especially regular past tense marking. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of intervention to improve morphosyntax in young school-aged children with DLD. This study investigated the efficacy of combined explicit and implicit intervention techniques delivered by a speech pathologist to improve receptive and expressive grammar, including the use of past tense morphosyntax, using a multiple baseline single case experimental design. Participants were aged six to seven years and received two 1:1 45 minute sessions per week for five weeks (total 7.5 hours) using Shape Coding intervention techniques combined with implicit approaches. Two of the three participants made statistically significant gains on standardized tests of general receptive and expressive grammar. Two of the three children made statistically significant improvement on measures of expressive morphosyntax, with one participant continuing to improve five weeks post treatment. Findings suggest that this approach was efficacious. These findings warrant further investigation using larger group comparison research studies.

Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children - Working Memory (CABC-WM).

The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children - Working Memory (CABC-WM) is a computer-based battery designed to assess different components of working memory in young school-age children. Working memory deficits have been identified in children with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia12 and language impairment34, but it is not clear whether these children exhibit deficits in subcomponents of working memory, such as visuospatial or phonological working memory. The CABC-WM is administered on a desktop computer with a touchscreen interface and was specifically developed to be engaging and motivating for children. Although the long-term goal of the CABC-WM is to provide individualized working memory profiles in children, the present study focuses on the initial success and utility of the CABC-WM for measuring central executive, visuospatial, phonological loop, and binding constructs in children with typical development. Immediate next steps are to administer the CABC-WM to children with specific language impairment, dyslexia, and comorbid specific language impairment and dyslexia.

Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children &amp;#8211; Working Memory (CABC-WM)

The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children - Working Memory (CABC-WM) is a computer-based battery designed to assess different components of working memory in young school-age children. Working memory deficits have been identified in children with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia1,2 and language impairment3,4, but it is not clear whether these children exhibit deficits in subcomponents of working memory, such as visuospatial or phonological working memory. The CABC-WM is administered on a desktop computer with a touchscreen interface and was specifically developed to be engaging and motivating for children. Although the long-term goal of the CABC-WM is to provide individualized working memory profiles in children, the present study focuses on the initial success and utility of the CABC-WM for measuring central executive, visuospatial, phonological loop, and binding constructs in children with typical development. Immediate next steps are to administer the CABC-WM to children with specific language impairment, dyslexia, and comorbid specific language impairment and dyslexia.

Стан ендотеліальної функції у здорових дітей молодшого шкільного віку за даними біохімічного методу дослідження

Стан ендотеліальної функції у здорових дітей молодшого шкільного віку за даними біохімічного методу дослідження