Early Child Development and Care

Yıldırım Hacıibrahimoğlu, Binnur

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2021.2023516pmid: N/A

In this study, we examined and compared preschool children’s behavioural intentions towards and perceptions of peers with physical, intellectual and no disability. Capabilities and behavioural intentions scales, based on picture cards, were administered face-to-face to 144 preschool children. Significant differences were found between perceptions of and behavioural intentions towards children with physical, intellectual and no disability. When these differences were examined, it was determined that the perceptions on and behavioural intentions towards children with an intellectual disability were less positive than those towards children with a physical disability and no disability. Children’s behavioural intentions towards and perceptions of children with physical, intellectual and no disability did not differ according to participants’ variables. These findings show that in early childhood education, rather than just placing peers with disabilities in classroom environments, it is necessary to promote quality interactions.

Aquino, Ana Katrina; Schultz, David A.

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2021.2025052pmid: N/A

Family, Friend, and Neighbour care is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of childcare used by families, yet there is far less research on this type of childcare compared to others. This study focused on Latinx immigrant FFN providers to learn about their motivations, needs, and facilitators and barriers to accessing services. Qualitative data come from a subsample of a larger study and include 5 focus groups with 41 Latinx immigrant FFN providers; these data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis [Braun & Clarke, 2020. One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1–25]. The themes, ‘They Need Us’; ‘We’re Not Babysitters, We’re Providers’; and ‘To Face the Job at 100%’ along with their subthemes capture Latinx immigrant FFN providers’ strong commitment and sense of duty to the families that they serve. Research and practice implications are discussed.

Vretudaki, Hellen; Tafa, Eufimia

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2027397pmid: N/A

The purpose of this study examines the impact of an instructional strategy on kindergarten children's narrative skills. The strategy was based on Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) principles and was adapted for kindergarten children. The sample consisted of 85 children aged 5-6, attending six kindergarten classes in Crete, Greece. The intervention programme was implemented over an eight-week period. After book reading, the experimental group was trained in narrating fictional stories, whereas the control group was led in a brief discussion where they expressed their thoughts about interesting parts of the story. The results showed that the SRSD as a model of instruction helped children assimilate story structure and enabled them to apply it effectively when asked to create a personal or fictional story. The results suggested that the multilevel intervention programme engaging children in various ways (linguistically, cognitively, emotionally) have a positive impact on the development of children's narrative skill.

Zhang, Mingzhu; Cao, Hongjian; Zhou, Nan; Hong, Xiumin; Liu, Qianqian

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2027398pmid: N/A

The critical developmental implications of childcare centre teachers’ caregiving sensitivity have been extensively documented. More efforts are pressing to identify antecedents of such sensitivity and elucidate implicated mechanisms. This study examined the association between socioeconomic status and caregiving sensitivity among Chinese childcare centre teachers, with adaptive caregiving belief as a mediator and childcare centre type as a moderator. Survey data for 1,316 Chinese teachers were used. The results indicated that teachers’ monthly income was positively associated with their caregiving sensitivity via positive associations with their verbal stimulation beliefs. This effect did not vary by childcare centre type. Our findings highlight possible avenues for interventions aimed at promoting caregiving quality in childcare centre setting, such as improving teachers’ adaptive caregiving belief.

Finzi-Dottan, Ricky; Chaitchik-Chowers, Gal; Segal Trivitz, Yael

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2029429pmid: N/A

Professional literature has indicated the detrimental effect of postpartum depression (PPD) and impaired mother's bond with baby (MBB) on infants throughout their development. The present study aimed to examine whether the associations between caregiving dispositions and both postpartum depression (PPD) and mothers’ perception of their bond with baby (MBB) are mediated by maternal self-efficacy, and whether these mediation paths are moderated by marital satisfaction. In this study participated 182 mothers who were in the six months that followed the birth of their child. Results indicated that anxious caregiving predicted both PPD and MBB; however, avoidant caregiving was related only to PPD. Maternal self-efficacy had a salient contribution to both PPD and MBB, and fully mediated the link between anxious caregiving and both PPD and MBB. Marital satisfaction moderated the link between anxious caregiving and MBB. The findings suggest that it may be important when forming interventions focused on enhancing self-efficacy.

Nagy, Beáta Erika; Kenyhercz, Flóra; Szele, Anna Szabina

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2030732pmid: N/A

Due to the high rates of preterm births, it is essential to examine the developmental risk factors and monitor development. The aim of our cross-sectional study is to examine the cognitive, language and motor development of LBW (<2500 g) children (N = 438) regarding sociodemographic risk factors. We measured the 2-year development with the Bayley-III psychodiagnostic tool. Information on children’s mental health was measured by the parental version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Sociodemographic risk factors were assessed with self-compiled questionnaires and UNICEF Child Deprivation Index. More than 25% of the sample showed mild or severe developmental delay and was reported to have emotional and behavioural problems. Regarding sociodemographic variables, we found lower developmental indicators among children who are exposed to more risk factors. In our study, we would like to draw the attention to the significance of early developmental screening in the high-risk group of LBW children.

Holmes, Robyn M.; Bant, Christine; Kohm, Kristen

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2032016pmid: N/A

This project explores children’s engagement in play activities and how caregivers supported their children’s play during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our sample included six primary caregivers (five mothers and one father) of at least one child attending a private, child learning centre in the northeastern United States. Child participants (four boys and one girl) ranged in age between 19 months and five years and five months. Caregivers completed journals that contained children's play activities for a two-week period as well as an open-ended survey (13 questions) that addressed caregiver perceptions of their children’s play, communication with the child’s learning centre staff, and the form of children's play. We found caregivers supported their children's play and were frequent play partners; children played indoors and outdoors; learning centres provided caregivers with useful information and activities; and play helped both children and caregivers cope with the stressors associated with the social isolation due to COVID-19 protocols.

Çankaya, Seyhan; Ataş, Ayşenur

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2042278pmid: N/A

This study was conducted to determine the relationship of breastfeeding self-efficacy with relationship satisfaction and family function in mothers during the first year postpartum. The study was carried out between 01 November 2021 and 01 January 2022 in the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Medical Faculty Hospital of a province in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Responses from a total of 331 mothers who were within the first year postpartum were analyzed. The mothers' mean breastfeeding self-efficacy score was 55.3 (SD 9.1), and their effective breastfeeding status was found to be moderate. The following parameters were risk factors negatively affecting mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy at a rate of 27% (F = 11.603, p < 0.001): low spouse/partner relationship satisfaction, unhealthy communication, unhealthy attention, unhealthy behaviour control, and feeding the baby only formula. Breastfeeding self-efficacy of the mothers who have high relationship satisfaction, have healthy family functions, and only breastfeed their babies is positively affected.

Roy-Vallières, Maude; Lachapelle, Julie; Lemay, Lise; Bouchard, Caroline; Bigras, Nathalie

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2042279pmid: N/A

This study examined the longitudinal evolution of 3 to 5 year old children's level of engagement in Quebec's early childcare centres. A latent transition analysis was conducted on child engagement measured by the inCLASS. Results revealed three engagement profiles at ages 3 and 5: 1) low engagement profile; 2) low- medium engagement profile; 3) medium engagement profile, suggesting a generally positive but low engagement. The study also identified that over 80% of children, regardless of profile at age 3, transition to the medium engagement profile by age 5. Various predictor variables were explored to explain this transition with socioeconomic context of the child's family at age 5 found to be the sole predictive variable, suggesting a strong impact of family context on children’s engagement. This suggests that engagement is a distinct construct from the wider educational quality concept, modulated by child-specific characteristics. Implications for research and educational practice are discussed.

Miccoli, Antonela; Toussaint, Loren L.; Smith, Latasha M.; Hansen, Carina K.; Lynch, Brian A.

doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2044322pmid: N/A

Early childhood is a critical period to intervene for obesity, developmental and behavioural problems. Data from 1065 children in 14 Northeast Iowa Community Action Head Starts (HS) were collected between 2011 and 2018. Body mass index (BMI) and developmental scores were assessed at the beginning of each school year and compared after the first year in HS. Females showed a 3.5% decrease in BMI percentile (F = 2.46, P = .12,  = .02), while males increased theirs by 4.4% (F = 7.41, P = .007,  = .05). Females showed higher initial passing rates than males on the Brigance (85.9% vs 75.7%, p = .006), self-help (64.7% vs 49.1%, p = .001), but not socio-emotional outcomes. Females in HS showed a slight decrease in BMI, compared to a significant increase in males. Improvements in developmental and behavioural outcomes were similar for both. Further research should determine why such differences occurred.