Sociocognitive and socioemotive factors associated with early academic abilities in preschool children in Costa Rica

This study aims at providing a multi-report, multi-method model of academic and socio-emotional preparation in preschool children that integrates bodies of previous research that have been conducted primarily in isolation. The main purpose is to test a comprehensive model of self-regulation and its links to moral reasoning, prosocial behaviors and early academic abilities. Participants were 193 Costa Rican preschool children for whom parent- and teacher- reports were collected. Also, children were evaluated with performance tests. The results showed that self-regulation is better represented as a bifactorial model with both cognitive and emotional components. Also, the study showed evidence suggesting that prosocial behaviors in preschoolers are better explained as a multidimensional construct rather than a unidimensional variable. Cognitive self-regulation showed positive links with prosocial moral reasoning, prosocial behaviors and early academic abilities, whereas emotion regulation showed only significant relations with prosocial behaviors. The relations between self-regulation and early academic abilities were direct and not mediated by prosocial moral reasoning or prosocial behaviors. The results are discussed in light of previous findings, and some implications for theories of human development and future interventions are presented

Gestão curricular e administrativa das modalidades e ofertas de ensino médio na Costa Rica

The Costa Rican educational system has seen an increase in the number of educational options for secondary education; however, there is a lack of clarity regarding the different offerings and modalities available. For this paper, we interviewed school principals, educational circuit supervisors, and administrative personnel from the central offices of the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to answer the following research questions What are the criteria used to change or introduce educational modalities and offerings in secondary education in Costa Rica? What are the administrative and curricular management processes to approve the introduction or modification of modalities and offerings? And finally, how can we describe the process to introduce changes or new modalities or offerings in the MEP? This study used a descriptive/exploratory methodology, including interviews and documentary analysis. In terms of curricular and administrative management, the study found that there is no clear typification of these educational proposals, nor is there a clear process for the introduction, modification and closure of such educational options. The administrative and curricular management is complex, as it involves different departments within the MEP, which do not always have the necessary coordination, and that there are a number of possible processes to introduce, modify and close educational modalities and offerings, also budgets play a key role in the approval of such proposals. These findings are discussed in the light of the right of individuals to quality education and to fully develop their educational and professional potential.En el sistema educativo costarricense, ha existido un crecimiento en las opciones educativas para educación secundaria, sin embargo, no existe claridad sobre las distintas ofertas y modalidades disponibles. En esta investigación realizada en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, se trabajó con personas directoras de centros educativos, personal administrativo de oficinas centrales del Ministerio de Educación Pública de Costa Rica (MEP) y supervisores de circuitos educativos, para responder las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿cuáles son los criterios para el cambio o apertura de modalidades y ofertas educativas en educación media en Costa Rica? ¿Cuáles son las rutas de gestión administrativa y curricular para la aprobación de aperturas o cambios de modalidades y ofertas? Y, por último, ¿cómo se puede describir el proceso de gestión de cambio o apertura de modalidades u ofertas desde el MEP? Para ello, se utilizó una metodología de tipo descriptivo/exploratorio mediante entrevistas y análisis documental. Se encontró que, desde la gestión curricular y administrativa, no hay una clara tipificación de estas propuestas educativas, tampoco existe una única ruta para los procesos de apertura, cambio y cierre de estas opciones educativas. La gestión administrativa y curricular es compleja, pues intervienen distintas instancias del MEP, entre las cuales no siempre hay coordinación, se cuenta con distintas rutas para la creación, cambio y cierre de las modalidades y ofertas educativas, además, el aspecto presupuestario juega un papel clave en la aprobación. Finalmente, se discuten estos hallazgos a la luz del derecho de las personas de tener una educación de calidad, así como su pleno desarrollo educativo y profesional. No sistema educacional da Costa Rica, observa-se um aumento nas opções para o ensino médio; contudo, a diversidade de ofertas e modalidades disponíveis carece de clareza. Neste manuscrito, trabalhamos com diretores de centros educativos, supervisores de circuitos educativos e funcionários administrativos dos escritórios centrais do Ministério da Educação Pública (MEP) da Costa Rica para responder às seguintes questões de pesquisa: Quais os critérios para a mudança ou abertura de modalidades e ofertas educativas no ensino secundário na Costa Rica? Quais os caminhos administrativos e de gestão curricular para aprovação de vagas ou alterações de modalidades e ofertas? e finalmente, como pode ser descrito o processo de gestão de mudanças ou abertura de modalidades ou ofertas do MEP? Foi utilizada uma metodologia descritiva/exploratória, além de entrevistas e de um análise documental. Verificou-se que a partir da gestão curricular e administrativa não existe uma classificação clara destas propostas educacionais nem um percurso único para os processos de abertura, mudança e encerramento destas opções educativas. A gestão administrativa e curricular é complexa, pois envolve diferentes instâncias do MEP, entre as quais nem sempre há coordenação. Existem diversas rotas para a criação, alteração e encerramento de modalidades e ofertas educativas, e o aspecto orçamentário desempenha um papel crucial na aprovação. Essas constatações são discutidas à luz do direito das pessoas a uma educação de qualidade e ao seu pleno desenvolvimento educacional e profissional

Gestão curricular e administrativa das modalidades e ofertas de ensino médio na Costa Rica

The Costa Rican educational system has seen an increase in the number of educational options for secondary education; however, there is a lack of clarity regarding the different offerings and modalities available. For this paper, we interviewed school principals, educational circuit supervisors, and administrative personnel from the central offices of the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to answer the following research questions What are the criteria used to change or introduce educational modalities and offerings in secondary education in Costa Rica? What are the administrative and curricular management processes to approve the introduction or modification of modalities and offerings? And finally, how can we describe the process to introduce changes or new modalities or offerings in the MEP? This study used a descriptive/exploratory methodology, including interviews and documentary analysis. In terms of curricular and administrative management, the study found that there is no clear typification of these educational proposals, nor is there a clear process for the introduction, modification and closure of such educational options. The administrative and curricular management is complex, as it involves different departments within the MEP, which do not always have the necessary coordination, and that there are a number of possible processes to introduce, modify and close educational modalities and offerings, also budgets play a key role in the approval of such proposals. These findings are discussed in the light of the right of individuals to quality education and to fully develop their educational and professional potential.En el sistema educativo costarricense, ha existido un crecimiento en las opciones educativas para educación secundaria, sin embargo, no existe claridad sobre las distintas ofertas y modalidades disponibles. En esta investigación realizada en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, se trabajó con personas directoras de centros educativos, personal administrativo de oficinas centrales del Ministerio de Educación Pública de Costa Rica (MEP) y supervisores de circuitos educativos, para responder las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿cuáles son los criterios para el cambio o apertura de modalidades y ofertas educativas en educación media en Costa Rica? ¿Cuáles son las rutas de gestión administrativa y curricular para la aprobación de aperturas o cambios de modalidades y ofertas? Y, por último, ¿cómo se puede describir el proceso de gestión de cambio o apertura de modalidades u ofertas desde el MEP? Para ello, se utilizó una metodología de tipo descriptivo/exploratorio mediante entrevistas y análisis documental. Se encontró que, desde la gestión curricular y administrativa, no hay una clara tipificación de estas propuestas educativas, tampoco existe una única ruta para los procesos de apertura, cambio y cierre de estas opciones educativas. La gestión administrativa y curricular es compleja, pues intervienen distintas instancias del MEP, entre las cuales no siempre hay coordinación, se cuenta con distintas rutas para la creación, cambio y cierre de las modalidades y ofertas educativas, además, el aspecto presupuestario juega un papel clave en la aprobación. Finalmente, se discuten estos hallazgos a la luz del derecho de las personas de tener una educación de calidad, así como su pleno desarrollo educativo y profesional. No sistema educacional da Costa Rica, observa-se um aumento nas opções para o ensino médio; contudo, a diversidade de ofertas e modalidades disponíveis carece de clareza. Neste manuscrito, trabalhamos com diretores de centros educativos, supervisores de circuitos educativos e funcionários administrativos dos escritórios centrais do Ministério da Educação Pública (MEP) da Costa Rica para responder às seguintes questões de pesquisa: Quais os critérios para a mudança ou abertura de modalidades e ofertas educativas no ensino secundário na Costa Rica? Quais os caminhos administrativos e de gestão curricular para aprovação de vagas ou alterações de modalidades e ofertas? e finalmente, como pode ser descrito o processo de gestão de mudanças ou abertura de modalidades ou ofertas do MEP? Foi utilizada uma metodologia descritiva/exploratória, além de entrevistas e de um análise documental. Verificou-se que a partir da gestão curricular e administrativa não existe uma classificação clara destas propostas educacionais nem um percurso único para os processos de abertura, mudança e encerramento destas opções educativas. A gestão administrativa e curricular é complexa, pois envolve diferentes instâncias do MEP, entre as quais nem sempre há coordenação. Existem diversas rotas para a criação, alteração e encerramento de modalidades e ofertas educativas, e o aspecto orçamentário desempenha um papel crucial na aprovação. Essas constatações são discutidas à luz do direito das pessoas a uma educação de qualidade e ao seu pleno desenvolvimento educacional e profissional

Delay of Gratification in Costa Rican Preschoolers: Effect of Trust in the Experimenter and the Socio-Economic Status: Postergación de la gratificación en preescolares costarricenses: efecto de la confianza en el experimentador y el estatus socioeconómico

This study analyzed the effect of confidence in the experimenter on the performance of a group of Costa Rican preschoolers on self-control. In addition, the effect of socioeconomic status on performance on the marshmallow task was analyzed by a comparison of children from both different schools (public vs private) and different socioeconomic contexts within each school. The sample of participants was 67 children (26 girls, M of age = 63 months, SD = 6.03). Effects were found, both of the confidence in the experimenter and of the socio-economic status in self-control. The implications of this study for future studies with children and families are discussed.Este estudio analizó el efecto de la confianza en la persona experimentadora sobre el desempeño de un grupo de niñas(os) preescolares costarricenses en el autocontrol. Adicionalmente, se analizó el efecto del estatus socioeconómico en el desempeño en la tarea de la golosina por medio de una comparación de niños provenientes tanto de diferentes escuelas (pública vs privada) como de distintos contextos socioeconómicos al interior de cada escuela. La muestra de participantes fue de 67 niños(as) (26 niñas, M de edad = 63 meses, D.T. = 6.03). Se encontraron efectos, tanto de la confianza en la persona experimentadora, como del contexto socioeconómico en el autocontrol. Se discuten las implicaciones de este estudio para futuros trabajos con niñas y niños, y familias

A personalized intervention to prevent depression in primary care: cost-effectiveness study nested into a clustered randomized trial

Abstract Background: Depression is viewed as a major and increasing public health issue, as it causes high distress in the people experiencing it and considerable financial costs to society. Efforts are being made to reduce this burden by preventing depression. A critical component of this strategy is the ability to assess the individual level and profile of risk for the development of major depression. This paper presents the cost-effectiveness of a personalized intervention based on the risk of developing depression carried out in primary care, compared with usual care. Methods: Cost-effectiveness analyses are nested within a multicentre, clustered, randomized controlled trial of a personalized intervention to prevent depression. The study was carried out in 70 primary care centres from seven cities in Spain. Two general practitioners (GPs) were randomly sampled from those prepared to participate in each centre (i.e. 140 GPs), and 3326 participants consented and were eligible to participate. The intervention included the GP communicating to the patient his/her individual risk for depression and personal risk factors and the construction by both GPs and patients of a psychosocial programme tailored to prevent depression. In addition, GPs carried out measures to activate and empower the patients, who also received a leaflet about preventing depression. GPs were trained in a 10- to 15-h workshop. Costs were measured from a societal and National Health care perspective. Qualityadjustedlife years were assessed using the EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire. The time horizon was 18 months.This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health, the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ’A way to build Europe’(grant references PS09/02272, PS09/02147, PS09/01095, PS09/00849 and PS09/00461); the Andalusian Council of Health (grant reference PI-0569-2010); the Spanish Network of Primary Care Research ’redIAPP’ (RD06/0018, RD12/0005/0001); the ’Aragón group’ (RD06/0018/0020, RD12/0005/0006); the ’Bizkaya group’ (RD06/0018/0018, RD12/0005/0010); the Castilla-León Group (RD06/0018/0027); the Mental Health (SJD) Barcelona Group (RD06/0018/0017, RD12/0005/0008); and the Mental-Health, Services and Primary Care (SAMSERAP) MálagaGroup (RD06/0018/0039, RD12/0005/0005)

Emergent Literacy Knowledge and Classroom Practices for its promotion: a Study with Preschool Education Teachers in Costa Rica

Teachers’ conceptions and knowledge affect their practices, and teachers’ practices influence preschoolers’ early literacy development. This study explores how much teachers value classroom practices previously proven to be effective in promoting early literacy development, and how much teachers know about phonological awareness and phonemes. A sample of 284 preschool teachers filled out an online questionnaire. Results showed differences as a function of the kind of university where teachers obtained their university degree. Teachers who graduated from public universities considered practices proven to be effective to promote early literacy more important than teachers who graduated from private universities. Although most participants considered phonological awareness an important factor for early literacy development, knowledge about it was deficient across the whole sample. Teachers’ knowledge about phonemes and their abilities to identify phonemes in specific words were deficient. Findings are discussed in light of their implications for promoting quality preschool education in Costa Rica.Universidad de Costa RicaUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Niñez y la Adolescenci

As familias e pandemia COVID-19

Este artículo pretende acercarse a plantear algunos elementos relevantes para responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿cómo se ven afectadas las familias por la pandemia de la COVID-19? Primero se aborda la forma en que la pandemia ha obligado a las familias al confinamiento; luego se hipotetiza sobre la manera en que este confinamiento genera estrés y conflicto en las familias y se cierra con líneas de investigación y acción ante la nueva realidad.This article aims at closing the gap in our understanding in regards to the following question: how are families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? First, it addresses how the pandemic has forced families into confinement; then it hypothesizes about how this confinement creates stress and conflict in families, and finally it addresses some lines of research and action regarding the new reality.Este artigo tem como objetivo chegar perto de levantar alguns elementos relevantes para responder à seguinte pergunta: como as famílias são afetadas pela pandemia COVID-19? Primeiro, aborda como a pandemia forçou as famílias a se confinarem; em seguida, fica hipotenso sobre como esse confinamento cria estresse e conflito nas famílias, e fecha com linhas de pesquisa e ação diante da nova realidade.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaCentro de Investigación y Docencia en Educació

The Social Development of Immigrant Children

This chapter defines Asian and Latinx immigrant children in the United States and discusses the family structure and cultural values of these two groups as may be pertinent to these children's social and emotional development, and highlights some unique challenges for their social development. Despite the within-group heterogeneity, Asian immigrants share some common traditional cultural values, including a strong focus on connectedness and interdependence among family members, social harmony, filial piety, and obedience to elders that can be reflected in their family system, parent-child relationship, parenting practices, and children's social development. The Covid-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to the social development of US Asian and Latinx children. Children's basic understanding of ethnic identity further develop through interactions with their peers in various social contexts. The chapter concludes with some directions for future studies towards understanding and supporting the diverse experiences and social development of Asian and Latinx immigrant children in the United States

PERSONAL IDENTITY AND ATTACHMENT IN COSTA RICAN ADOLESCENTS: EXPLORATION, COMMITMENT, AND INNOCUOUS PARENTAL EDUCATION LEVEL

Esta investigación busca conocer las condiciones de desarrollo personal entre jóvenes adolescentes de Costa Rica, examinando específicamente, la relación entre identidad y el apego a los padres y su relación con el nivel educativo parental. Una muestra de 256 mujeres y 181 hombres (M = 15.34 años, DT = .98) completó la Escala de Posiciones de la Identidad, la Escala de Identidad de Exploración y Compromiso, y el Auto-informe de Estilos de Apego. Los análisis realizados permiten concluir que, en comparación con los hombres, la mayoría de las mujeres reporta a sus madres como su principal figura de apego, se compromete mucho más en términos de su identidad relacional y ocupacional, y expresa una posición más clara en la identidad de logro. Con respecto a la identidad relacional y familiar, los y las participantes con estilos de apego seguro presentan mayor compromiso que aquellos con apego inseguro. El nivel de educación parental no afecta ninguna de las evaluaciones socio emocionales.This study examines the link between adolescent identity and attachment to parents and their relations with parental education level. The Identity Positions Scale, the Identity Exploration and Commitment Scale, and the Attachment Style Prototypes Scale were administered to a sample of 256 women and 181 men (M age = 15.34 years, SD = .98). Compared to men, more women reported their mothers as their attachment figures, engaged much more in terms of their relational and occupational identity, and expressed a clearer position of identity achievement. With respect to relational and family identity, participants with secure attachment styles presented greater commitment than those with insecure attachment. The parental education level was found to not significantly affect any of the socioemotional measures.Interamerican Society of PsychologyUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Niñez y la Adolescenci

Delay of Gratification in Costa Rican Preschoolers: Effect of Trust in the Experimenter and the Socio-Economic Status

This study analyzed the effect of confidence in the experimenter on the performance of a group of Costa Rican preschoolers on self-control. In addition, the effect of socioeconomic status on performance on the marshmallow task was analyzed by a comparison of children from both different schools (public vs private) and different socioeconomic contexts within each school. The sample of participants was 67 children (26 girls, M of age = 63 months, SD = 6.03). Effects were found, both of the confidence in the experimenter and of the socio-economic status in self-control. The implications of this study for future studies with children and families are discussed.Este estudio analizó el efecto de la confianza en la persona experimentadora sobre el desempeño de un grupo de niñas(os) preescolares costarricenses en el autocontrol. Adicionalmente, se analizó el efecto del estatus socioeconómico en el desempeño en la tarea de la golosina por medio de una comparación de niños provenientes tanto de diferentes escuelas (pública vs privada) como de distintos contextos socioeconómicos al interior de cada escuela. La muestra de participantes fue de 67 niños(as) (26 niñas, M de edad = 63 meses, D.T. = 6.03). Se encontraron efectos, tanto de la confianza en la persona experimentadora, como del contexto socioeconómico en el autocontrol. Se discuten las implicaciones de este estudio para futuros trabajos con niñas y niños, y familias.Cette étude a analysé l’effet de la confiance dans l’expérimentateur sur la performance d’un groupe de filles d’âge préscolaire costariciennes sur la maîtrise de soi. En outre, l’effet du statut socio-économique sur le rendement sur la tâche de la gâterie a été analysé par une comparaison des enfants des deux écoles (publiques vs privées) et des contextes socio-économiques différents au sein de chaque école. L’échantillon de participants était de 67 garçons (26 filles, moyenne d’âge = 63 mois, D.S. = 6.03). Des effets ont été constatés, tant de la confiance dans la personne expérimentée que du contexte socio-économique dans la maîtrise de soi. Les implications de cette étude pour le travail futur avec les enfants et les familles sont discutées.Este estudo analisou o efeito da confiança no experimentador sobre o desempenho de um grupo de meninas pré-escolares costarriquenhas em autocontrole. Além disso, o efeito do status socioeconômico sobre o desempenho na tarefa do tratamento foi analisado por uma comparação de crianças de escolas diferentes (públicas vs privadas) e diferentes contextos socioeconômicos dentro de cada escola. A amostra de participantes foi de 67 meninos (26 meninas, M de idade × 63 meses, D.T.s 6.03). Foram encontrados efeitos, tanto da confiança na pessoa experiente quanto do contexto socioeconômico no autocontrole. As implicações deste estudo para o futuro trabalho com crianças e famílias são discutidas