Young children’s digital literacy practices in homes : Past, present and future research directions

The changing nature of childhood in the digital age is attracting major attention among researchers, educators, health care professionals, parents and policy-makers. In this chapter, the authors summarize how research published in 2016 and 2017 has added to the findings of their earlier review of literature. In order to develop a conceptual picture of the latest studies in the field in terms of how these have addressed and approached young children’s digital literacy practices in the home, focusing on three interrelated dimensions of literacy, namely the operational, cultural and critical. The authors turn the key findings of their conceptual analysis based on the 3D model of literacy, focusing on how studies in the field situate themselves in terms of understanding children’s digital literacy practices in the home. Their conceptual analysis of literature reveals that to date there is scant research focusing more directly on the operational dimension of children’s digital literacy practices in the home.Peer reviewe

Effect of Visual Media Use on School Performance: A Prospective Study

Purpose: To identify mechanisms for the impact of visual media use on adolescents\u27 school performance. Methods: We conducted a 24-month, four-wave longitudinal telephone study of a national sample of 6,486 youth aged 10 to 14 years. Exposure measures: latent construct for screen exposure time (weekday time spent viewing television/playing videogames, presence of television in bedroom) and variables for movie content (proportion of PG-13 and R movies viewed). Outcome measure: self- and parent reports of grades in school. Effects of media exposures on change in school performance between baseline and 24 months were assessed using structural equation modeling. Information about hypothesized mediators (substance use, sensation seeking, and school problem behavior) was obtained at baseline and at the 16-month follow-up. Results: Adjusted for baseline school performance, baseline levels of mediators, and a range of covariates, both screen exposure time and media content had adverse effects on change in school performance. Screen exposure had an indirect effect on poor school performance through increased sensation seeking. Viewing more PG-13 and R-rated movies had indirect effects on poor school performance mediated through increases in substance use and sensation seeking. R-rated viewing also had an indirect effect on poor school performance through increased school behavior problems. The effect sizes of exposure time and content on the intermediate variables and ultimately on school performance were similar to those for previously recognized determinants of these mediators, including household income, parenting style, and adolescents\u27 self-control. Conclusions: These aspects of visual media use adversely affect school performance by increasing sensation seeking, substance use, and school problem behavior

What do parents and preschool staff tell us about young children's physical activity: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical activity and small screen recreation are two modifiable behaviours associated with childhood obesity and the development of chronic health problems. Parents and preschool staff shape behaviour habits in young children. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding of parents and carers of preschool-age children in relation to physical activity and small screen recreation and to identify influences upon these behaviours.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This research involved a focus group study with parents and carers of the target population. A purposive sample of 39 participants (22 parents, 17 carers) participated in 9 focus groups. Participants were drawn from three populations of interest: those from lower socioeconomic status, and Middle-Eastern and Chinese communities in the Sydney (Australia) metropolitan region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All participants understood the value of physical activity and the impact of excessive small screen recreation but were unfamiliar with national guidelines for these behaviours. Participants described the nature and activity patterns of young children; however, the concept of activity 'intensity' in this age group was not a meaningful term. Factors which influenced young children's physical activity behaviour included the child's personality, the physical activity facilities available, and the perceived safety of their community. Factors facilitating physical activity included a child's preference for being active, positive parent or peer modelling, access to safe play areas, organised activities, preschool programs and a sense of social connectedness. Barriers to physical activity included safety concerns exacerbated by negative media stories, time restraints, financial constraints, cultural values favouring educational achievement, and safety regulations about equipment design and use within the preschool environment. Parents considered that young children are naturally 'programmed' to be active, and that society 'de-programs' this behaviour. Staff expressed concern that free, creative active play was being lost and that alternate activities were increasingly sedentary.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings support the relevance of the socioecological model of behavioural influences to young children's physical activity. In this age group, efforts may best be directed at emphasising national guidelines for small screen recreation and educating families and carers about the importance of creative, free play to reinforce the child's inherent nature to be active.</p

Children of war: a clinical research portfolio of trauma profiles and interventions

Abstract/plain language summary available at each chapter

THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR ON THE EFFECT OF THE PACKAGING ON CHILDREN’S BUYING BEHAVIOR

Purpose of this study is to explore the impact of psychology of color on the effect of the packaging design on children’s buying behavior. The paper has attempted to find out the psychology of colors are included color preferences by gender, color coordination and conversion, and coloring (Pures, tints, shade, toner, the meaning of its colors, simplicity, and contrast) in packaging design is seem to strengthened by those effects in attracting children. In this research, the children’s buying behavior, the factors influencing and the relevance of color element have been carefully examined. Result indicated that children’s buying behavior is greatly effected by color and packaging. The final section gives suggestions on the increase of attracting children with regard to the functional nature of each product and its appropriate color. Keywords: psychology of color, packaging design, children‘s buying behavio

Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum in Lebanon - a systematic review and an online survey

Breastfeeding is the ultimate food source for infants and it is highly valuable for both mothers and children’s health. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) until six months postpartum. In Lebanon, the EBF rates until six months postpartum are amongst the lowest worldwide, and the factors affecting EBF have been rarely investigated. A systematic review to determine the associations between socio-cultural-demographic factors and EBF at six months postpartum in middle-income countries was conducted. The review has shown that the most frequently reported determinant of EBF was maternal employment, followed by maternal education and maternal age. This study was the first in Lebanon to explore the association between certain demographic, social and cultural factors with EBF for the six months postpartum of mothers residing across Lebanon. The study employed social media to recruit 593 mothers to complete an online questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regressions. The findings show that EBF until six months postpartum is not associated with the housekeeper presence, positively associated with having a prenatal plan to breastfeed, the mother disagreeing that free formula samples should be distributed to the mothers after delivery at the hospital, having the baby’s crib kept by the mother’s bed side at the hospital, not being offered a free formula sample at the hospital, the mother’s partner perceiving breastfeeding as very important, not having the mother’s father living in the same household besides the partner and children when the child was between zero and six months and being non-Lebanese. It is the first study conducted in low and middle-income countries to explore the maternal attitudes and opinions regarding feeding practices and their association with EBF until six months. This study shows that ensuring appropriate systems, services and support for mothers, while applying the social-ecological model, should be a priority for the stakeholders to improve maternal and child health