Search Results (701)

The integration of digital technologies into early childhood education extends beyond mere technical necessity; it constitutes a fundamental pillar of social sustainability within the teaching profession. Yet, a persistent paradox remains in teacher education: the “Attitude–Competence Gap,” where pre-service teachers’ enthusiasm for technology fails to translate into practical proficiency. This study interrogates this disconnect within a STEAM framework, specifically examining whether digital competence is driven by general technological attitudes or domain-specific pedagogical beliefs. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, we analyzed data from 200 Child Development students, followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 participants who exhibited high attitudes but low initial competence. Hierarchical regression analysis yielded a critical insight: while general attitudes toward digital storytelling did not predict competence (p > 0.05), pedagogical beliefs regarding the use of children’s literature in mathematics were a strong predictor of technical proficiency (β = 0.35, p < 0.001). Qualitative evidence corroborated that students overcame technical limitations not through technological affinity but through a motivation to concretize abstract mathematical concepts via storytelling. These findings suggest that to foster sustainable STEAM education, teacher training curricula must prioritize the “why” (pedagogical conviction) over the “how” (technical mechanics), thereby closing the gap between digital intention and action. This study uniquely demonstrates that domain-specific pedagogical convictions, rather than general technological enthusiasm, are the fundamental drivers of digital competence in STEAM, providing an empirical basis for more resilient teacher education models. Full article

Background: Early childhood motor development plays a critical role in shaping participation and quality of life for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Parental perspectives provide unique insights into barriers, facilitators, and the real-world impact of interventions. Objectives: This study applied qualitatively led an exploratory mixed-method design grounded in a biopsychosocial paradigm. The qualitative component captured parental narratives, while quantitative summaries were generated to identify consensus areas of motor challenges and environmental influences. This dual approach aimed to reveal both the diversity of lived experience and recurring patterns that may inform screening and intervention planning. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 58 parents of preschool-aged children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Hungary. Transcripts were analysed thematically, and through descriptive frequency summaries and exploratory chi-squared analyses of coded data. Results: Parents consistently reported fine and gross motor differences, with consequences extending to participation in family, school, and community contexts. Early diagnosis was seen as beneficial primarily when it facilitated access to supportive services. Environmental adaptations, such as inclusive playgrounds and adaptive tools, were perceived by parents as enhancing children’s opportunities to participate, while the lack of accommodations amplified difficulties. Interventions embedded in real-life contexts and actively involving families were viewed as most effective. Exploratory quantitative summaries indicated consensus on five key challenges, including pencil grip, small object manipulation, and playground participation. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that motor development in autism spectrum disorder is best understood within a biopsychosocial framework linking individual abilities, environmental modifications, and social acceptance. By integrating qualitative and quantitative perspectives, this study illustrates how family experiences can inform the design of family-centred interventions and context-sensitive policies that foster meaningful participation. Full article

Decades of research have documented the critical role of parental practices, beliefs, and resources in shaping children’s literacy development. This study examined how home practices shape children’s literacy engagement across both digital and traditional formats. Parents of children aged 4–9 years (N = 357) filled out a Qualtrics survey about the home learning environment, including beliefs, confidence, attitudes, resources, and practices. Results showed that while parents’ beliefs and traditional literacy engagement were linked to encouragement for digital reading, children’s independent digital reading was best predicted by parents’ own digital reading, shared digital reading, and encouragement to read on devices. Device availability and general encouragement to use technology were not significant. Children’s audiobook use was predicted primarily by shared digital reading. These findings extend the home literacy environment literature by showing that while traditional practices remain central, their expression in the digital age depends on parental modeling and encouragement. The results highlight that in the digital era, parental engagement and shared reading experiences, and not access alone, are central to fostering children’s digital literacy development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged for its benefits to child development and maternal well-being. Yet breastfeeding practices often decline during early childhood transitions, particularly when children enter early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. Research has largely concentrated on healthcare contexts, leaving the educational domain comparatively underexplored in its potential to sustain or hinder breastfeeding continuation. This cross-sectional study examines associations between maternal beliefs regarding the value of breastfeeding and personal, relational, and contextual factors related to breastfeeding continuation within ECEC settings. It also incorporates educators’ perspectives and situates breastfeeding practices within the broader framework of parental ethnotheories. Methods: The study formed part of a pilot parental engagement initiative involving 17 childcare centers in Northern Italy, designed to promote dialogue and supportive practices around breastfeeding within ECEC services. This context is acknowledged when interpreting findings related to organizational climate and educator perspectives. Participants included 490 mothers of children enrolled in ECEC services and 118 educators. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing breastfeeding beliefs and experiences, co-sleeping practices, perceived social support, and parental ethnotheories (independence versus interdependence). Educators reported on their experiences in supporting breastfeeding within the childcare context. Analyses included descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to examine factors associated with breastfeeding continuation. Results: Mothers strongly endorsed the developmental benefits of breastfeeding and expressed greater alignment with caregiving practices emphasizing interdependence and physical proximity. Continued breastfeeding within childcare settings correlated with interdependence-oriented ethnotheories, younger child age, and higher engagement in co-sleeping practices. Educators reported generally positive views of breastfeeding in childcare, highlighting its contribution to children’s emotional security and maternal calm, alongside its negligible impact on educational organization. Conclusions: ECEC services play a crucial role in sustaining breastfeeding beyond the domestic sphere. Relational practices and organizational climates that welcome breastfeeding can foster continuity of care, strengthen parental engagement, and promote child well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present study explored the extent to which children’s executive function (EF) mediates the relationship between maternal warm parenting and children’s problem behaviors during the early school-age years. Methods: Using data from a nationally representative sample of 1516 mother–child dyads participating in the Panel Study on Korean Children, the analysis drew on parent-reported measures collected through standardized questionnaires. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated that warm, responsive maternal parenting contributed to lower levels of children’s problem behaviors both directly and indirectly by fostering stronger EF skills. Conclusions: The findings highlight the developmental importance of warm parenting practices and identify children’s EF as a central mechanism through which early caregiving environments promote behavioral adjustment. Full article

Introduction: Congenital structural anomalies of the pulmonary artery in children, encompassing defects such as pulmonary atresia (PA), pulmonary stenosis (PS), pulmonary artery hypoplasia, and tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), pose significant challenges in pediatric cardiac surgery due to impaired blood flow in pulmonary circulation. Traditional options for conventional repair—including autologous materials such as the native pericardium and synthetic materials such as artificial patches—have limitations including a lack of growth potential and vulnerability to restenosis over time. ProxiCor^® patches, based on the extracellular matrix (ECM), have emerged as biologically compatible substitutes capable of fostering tissue regeneration. The primary outcomes of this study were the safety (absence of patch-related complications such as restenosis, dilation, aneurysm, infection, or thrombosis) and feasibility (intraoperative handling and surgical success) of ProxiCor^® for pulmonary artery and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in a single-center pediatric cohort. Secondary outcomes included mortality, postoperative complications (prolonged mechanical ventilation > 72 h, need for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay), and qualitative echocardiographic assessment of vessel patency during follow-up. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 25 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent pulmonary artery or RVOT reconstruction with ProxiCor^® at the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Poznań (Poland) between the years 2023 and 2024. Surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and follow-up data were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Results: The median age was 224 (Q1–Q3: 124–362) days, and median weight was 4.2 (Q1–Q3: 2.8–8.5) kg. Procedures targeted repairs of the main pulmonary artery (MPA), right pulmonary artery (RPA), left pulmonary artery (LPA), and RVOT. Diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), pulmonary artery stenosis (PS), pulmonary atresia (PA), pulmonary artery hypoplasia, and anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). The mortality rate stood at 8% (2/25), stemming from multiorgan failure and hemorrhagic stroke, unrelated to the patch. Over a median observation period of 483 (Q1–Q3: 363–584) days, no patch-related complications (e.g., restenosis or dilation) arose. The median hospitalization time was 22 (Q1–Q3: 8.5–38.5) days. Conclusions: ProxiCor^® ECM patches appear to be safe and feasible for use in pulmonary artery and RVOT reconstruction, with favorable early outcomes. However, the small cohort size, lack of a control group, and limited mid- to long-term echocardiographic data preclude definitive conclusions about long-term outcomes or comparative effectiveness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Folk dance represents an educational and cultural practice that is capable of promoting psychological well-being, social cohesion, and identity formation. However, few studies have integrated students’ voices regarding their lived experiences in these practices. This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of children and adolescents about their participation in school folk dances, exploring their impact on psychological well-being, self-confidence, and body awareness. Methods: A qualitative study with an exploratory and descriptive design was conducted with a purposive sample of 76 elementary and secondary school students who participated in the School Folk Dance Encounter “Heartbeats of My Land”, organized by the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences (Chile). Semi-structured interviews were applied, and a thematic analysis was performed on 285 statements, organized into two dimensions: Psychological Well-being and Self-Confidence (PWS) and Body Awareness, Expression, and Communication (CEC). Results: The analysis revealed a predominance of the (PWS) dimension (85.3%), focused on positive emotions, self-confidence, and emotional regulation. Students’ testimonies highlighted dance as a means of release, self-esteem, and joy. To a lesser extent (14.7%), the (CEC) dimension reflected the perception of the body as a vehicle for communication and symbolic expression. Conclusions: Folk dance emerges as an integral pedagogical space that enhances emotional well-being, self-confidence, and cultural identity. Its systematic inclusion in Physical Education is proposed as a strategy to foster meaningful learning, mental health, and social cohesion. Full article

The research explores the educational potential of artistic mediation with children at risk of social exclusion, drawing on the narratives of twenty early years and primary school teachers. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, it examines perceptions of openness to the creative process, the use of art in teaching practice and its value as a socio-educational tool. The findings show that experiences of artistic mediation generate feelings of harmony, concentration and achievement, thus fostering a more collaborative and emotionally balanced classroom climate. The study also observes that art serves as a means for teachers’ reflective practice, encouraging critical thinking, the formulation of questions and an approach to assessment that focuses more on processes than products. In vulnerable contexts, artistic mediation proves particularly effective for expressing emotions, strengthening self-esteem and reinforcing group cohesion. Taken together, the findings suggest that artistic mediation should be understood beyond its instrumental value, recognising it as a transformative practice that promotes both educational inclusion and professional reflection on teaching, thereby helping to enhance the quality and humanistic purpose of pedagogical interventions. Full article

Energy is a central yet complex scientific concept that is often taught superficially in primary education. At this school level, teaching energy-related concepts is often done through textbooks that provide only simplistic definitions and little emphasis on energy conversion, and do not necessarily support the development of an integrated understanding among students. At the same time, promoting Science Self-Efficacy (SSE) in children is crucial, as research indicates that gender differences in SSE can emerge as soon as in primary school and become more pronounced throughout schooling, with potential implications for students’ future engagement in science. This study presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a Teaching–Learning Sequence (TLS) aimed at both supporting conceptual understanding of energy and fostering SSE. The TLS was carried out with N = 75 fifth-grade students over 12 h and was based on Inquiry-Based Science Education methodology. To assess its effectiveness, two instruments were administered in pre- and post-intervention phases: a test on energy concepts and a questionnaire on SSE. The results, which will be discussed in detail, provide evidence that the TLS may enhance students’ conceptual learning and contribute to the development of SSE at the primary school level. Full article

Background: Dialogic Feminist Gatherings (DFGs) fostered gender violence prevention among adolescents and young women in diverse educational settings. However, little was known about their impact on adult and older women without higher education, particularly regarding their contributions to broader social change through family and community relationships. This study addressed that gap by analyzing a DFG held in an adult education school in Barcelona with women from diverse backgrounds, as part of the R + D + i ALL WOMEN research project, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5. Methods: Using a qualitative case study with communicative methodology, the research drew on communicative observations, life stories, and a focus group. Results: Findings revealed that DFGs empowered participants individually and had a ripple effect in their communities. Through intergenerational dialogues with children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, participants began to challenge and transform socialization patterns linked to gender violence risk factors. Conclusions: The study highlights the transformative potential of DFGs beyond formal education. It underscores the value of integrating dialogic and community-based approaches into adult education to promote gender equality and prevent violence across generations. Full article

Background and Objectives: Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impact individuals and families, particularly in educational settings. School closures and changes in daily routines reduced students’ opportunities for learning and social interaction, affecting their mental health. Caregivers also faced increased responsibilities and stressors. This study aimed to evaluate a predictive model of mental health outcomes—specifically posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG)—in Chilean schoolchildren and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: A total of 489 students (48% female sex; aged 10–17) from educational communities in various Chilean cities participated in the study, along with their caregivers (aged 21–69; 86.5% female), including mothers, fathers, and guardians. Mental health variables were assessed through self-report instruments. Hierarchical linear regression and path analyses were used to evaluate predictive models for PTSSs and PTG in students. Results: The model predicting PTSSs in students was significant. Key predictors included female sex, aggressive behavior, coping strategies such as keeping problems to oneself, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive rumination, and caregiver PTSSs. The model for PTG was also significant, with predictors including active problem-solving, communication, a positive attitude, and deliberate rumination. These results indicate distinct psychological processes underlying negative and positive outcomes following trauma. Conclusions: The findings underscore the complexity of mental health outcomes among school-aged children and the influence of caregiver well-being. The study highlights the importance of supporting both students and caregivers through targeted interventions. Multi-level strategies addressing emotional regulation, communication, and coping mechanisms may foster resilience and psychological growth in educational communities facing the aftermath of public health emergencies. Full article

Children’s responses to the climate crisis range from mistrust and helplessness to activism and eco-anxiety, highlighting the need for early educational experiences that foster constructive engagement. At the same time, the persistent underrepresentation of women in science highlights the importance of integrating gender awareness into science education. While hands-on activities and storytelling are widely recognized as effective educational strategies, less attention has been given to how these approaches can be meaningfully combined within a single learning experience. This exploratory study investigates the integration of hands-on environmental science activities and theatrical storytelling as an interdisciplinary, gender-aware educational design for children aged 6 to 11. The intervention included clean energy and greenhouse effect experiments guided by two actresses portraying pioneering scientists, Eunice Newton Foote and Susan Solomon, situating scientific concepts within narrative, historical, and social contexts. Qualitative observations and an exploratory analysis of children’s drawings indicate that narrative and embodied approaches can support cognitive and emotional engagement while fostering more inclusive representations of scientific practice. The study proposes a preliminary, interdisciplinary approach of engagement and inclusion, providing a starting point for future research on integrated, gender-aware environmental education. Full article

Background: Moral development (MD) arises from the interaction of attachment, temperament, emotion regulation, and decision-making. Children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently show impairments across these domains, suggesting increased vulnerability to disruptions in MD. However, the mechanisms linking ADHD to MD remain poorly understood. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed was searched for studies published between January 2014 and November 2024 examining MD-related constructs, including moral reasoning, fairness, aggression, bullying, callous–unemotional (CU) traits, decision-making, and reward sensitivity, in individuals aged 0–18 years with diagnosed or subclinical ADHD. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study design, measures, and outcomes, a qualitative synthesis was performed. Results: Of the 2104 records identified, 23 studies met inclusion criteria. Insecure or disorganized attachment, difficult temperament, and emotional dysregulation consistently emerged as developmental risk factors for impaired MD. Hyperactivity–impulsivity and deficient inhibitory control were strongly associated with aggressive and antisocial behaviors. Children with ADHD demonstrated a pronounced preference for immediate over delayed rewards, altered decision-making in social contexts, and reduced sensitivity to positive feedback. CU traits and aggression were frequently identified as behavioral correlates of MD impairments, particularly in interaction with family adversity and comorbid externalizing conditions. Social dysfunction, including bullying involvement, peer rejection, and interpersonal difficulties, was common and contributed to elevated long-term psychosocial risk. Conclusions: ADHD is associated with multidimensional vulnerabilities in MD through intertwined cognitive, emotional, and relational pathways. Interventions targeting attachment security, emotion regulation, reward processing, and social skills may foster MD and reduce later social difficulties. Longitudinal and cross-cultural research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and inform developmentally sensitive prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

The article reports on a bilingual and interpretable book recommendation platform for schoolchildren. This platform uses a lightweight K-Nearest Neighbors algorithm combined with gamification and learning analytics. This application has been designed for a bilingual learning environment in Kazakhstan, supporting learning in Kazakh and Russian languages, and is intended to improve reading engagement through culturally adjusted personalization. The recommendation engine combines content and collaborative filtering in that it leverages structured book data (genres, target age ranges, authors, languages, and semantics) and learner attributes (language of instruction, preferences, and learner history). A hybrid ranking function combines the similarity to the user and the item similarity to produce top-N recommendations, whereas gamification elements (points, achievements, and reading challenges) are used to foster sustained activity.Teacher dashboards show learners’ overall reading activity and progress through real-time data visualization. The initial calibration of the model was carried out using an open-source book collection consisting of 5197 items. Thereafter, the model was modified for a curated bilingual collection of 600 books intended for use in educational institutions in the Kazakh and Russian languages. The validation experiment was carried out on a pilot test involving 156 children. The experimental outcome suggests a stable level of recommendation in terms of the Precision@10 and Recall@10 values of 0.71 and 0.63 respectively. The computational complexity remained low. Moreover, the bilingual normalization technique increased the relevance of recommendations of non-majority language items by 12.4%. In conclusion, the proposed approach presents a scalable and transparent framework for AI-assisted reading personalization in bilingual e-learning systems. Future research will focus on transparent recommendation interfaces and more adaptive learner modeling. Full article

In recent decades, technological advances have fostered new therapeutic approaches for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. Educational robotics has emerged as a promising resource for acquiring social skills, recognizing emotions, and developing theory of mind. However, there is still a need to understand which dimensions are most susceptible to this specific intervention and how its impact differs based on individual profiles. This study analyzes the effect of a therapeutic intervention based on Educational Robotics on Social Skills, Emotional Recognition, and Theory of Mind in two students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The intervention was structured in seven sessions using the ANDY^® kit. Tests from the NEPSY-II battery and an observational rubric of Social Skills recorded session by session were applied. Both participants showed significant improvements in Social Skills, especially in rules of courtesy, nonverbal communication, and conversational interaction. Regarding Emotional Recognition, one participant improved in identifying highly affective emotions, while the other showed more modest progress. Theory of Mind showed progress in only one of the participants. Adherence was high, although a slight decrease in motivation was identified in the last sessions. These results suggest that Educational Robotics, when applied within a structured therapeutic framework, can effectively foster socioemotional development in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. However, variability across domains highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to individual profiles and complementing them with strategies that support the transfer of learning to natural contexts. Full article