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Background: Children with chronic medical conditions often experience limited opportunities for social experiences due to frequent hospitalizations and medical appointments. Computer technology can provide valuable opportunities for social inclusion through online communities. However, moderation has been shown to be an important component of safe and successful use. This paper explores the potential of a social media platform technology, Upopolis, to promote social connection and health‐related management for children with chronic medical conditions, as well as the role of the coordinators who support children's use. Methods: This study conducted qualitative in‐depth, semi‐structured telephone interviews with hospital‐based child life specialists across Canada who acted as coordinators for Upopolis. Thematic analysis was employed on verbatim interview transcripts. Results: Seven Upopolis coordinators (n = 7 female) from across Canada participated in six telephone interviews. Four themes were identified: First, Upopolis offered opportunities for connection (social and emotional) through receiving and giving support to others in similar situations. Second, Upopolis was considered safe and reliable for younger children (under 12) within the broader social media landscape. Third, Upopolis was a helpful resource for children to learn about medical diagnoses and procedures, as well as for expressing their experiences and reducing isolation. Fourth, participants identified that time, misuse of technology, and technical problems were challenges to the successful coordination of Upopolis. Conclusions: Children with chronic medical conditions were reported to use Upopolis to develop a greater social community. Specialized websites such as Upopolis have the potential to offer a safe online social networking opportunity where children can discuss what is happening to them, compared with other mainstream social media platforms. Given the increase in technology use in health and high usage of social media among children generally, these data can potentially inform the development and implementation of other specialist health‐related online platforms for children with chronic medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Participating in everyday life is essential to the healthy development and emotional well-being of children. However, little is known about siblings of children with complex care needs (CCN), and their perspectives and experiences of participating in everyday life. The aim of this paper is to present research findings that add to our understanding of how siblings of children with CCN view and experience participation in everyday life. Methods To arrive at a detailed and accurate understanding of the siblings' perspectives and experiences, we used the qualitative research design of ethnography. Sixteen siblings (seven brothers, nine sisters) of children with CCN were recruited. The siblings ranged in age between 7 and 25 years, with a mean age of 14 years. All siblings took part in opened-ended interviews and completed ecomaps to describe how they participate. Five siblings also took part in the photovoice method. Analysis involved several iterative steps, congruent with ethnography. Results Four main themes emerged as follows: (1) participation is about being part of a group; (2) it feels good; (3) I love my sibling but...; and (4) promoting participation. Siblings of children with CCN identified challenges to participation and also described ways that they participate that relate to the care of their sibling. Conclusions Siblings prioritized the relationship with their sisters and brothers with CCN in their life, and a great deal of their participation was chosen with their sibling in mind. Sibling-to-sibling relationships were distinct and meaningful and, as a result, participation was always done mindfully and with the family needs at the forefront. Nonetheless, clinicians caring for children with CCN must keep in mind the challenges that siblings of children with CCN experience and provide strategies to siblings that will help to promote their participation in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2012, two CanChild researchers published an article in Child: Care, Health and Development titled 'The "F-words" in childhood disability: I swear this is how we should think!' Building on the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, the article featured key strengths-based ICF themes (i.e. the 'F-words' - Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future). This paper reports on a knowledge mobilization initiative designed to spread awareness of the 'F-words' ideas. Methods Families and researchers collaborated to develop, disseminate and evaluate an online awareness video. The video used written descriptions, parents' reflections and their pictures, music and graphics to captivate the audience. Posted on the CanChild website in May 2014, information about the video was distributed via various dissemination strategies and evaluated by tracking its views and through an online survey. Results After a 2-month evaluation, there were 715 views and 137 survey responses. Of the survey responses, 89% lived in Canada, 55% had not previously heard of the 'F-words', 98% 'extremely liked'/'liked the ideas' and 88% indicated they would share the video. Conclusions By creating a short and captivating video, we were able to spread awareness to a wide audience in a short period of time. Engaging families throughout the project was critical to the success of the video. By working together, we hope to continue bridging research and practice and moving the 'F-words' concepts forward one 'word' at a time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Characteristics of preschool and child care centres have previously been shown to be associated with children's health behaviours such as physical activity and screen-based sedentary behaviour. This paper investigates differences in physical environments, policies and practices between child care centres in Melbourne, Australia and Kingston, Canada which may be associated with such behaviours. Methods Audits of child care centres were undertaken by trained research assistants for the Healthy Active Preschool and Primary Years ( Melbourne, Australia; n = 136) study and the Healthy Living Habits in Pre- School Children ( Kingston, Canada; n = 46) study. Twenty-one of the audit items (nine physical environment; 12 policies and practices) were assessed in both samples. Example items included outdoor play and shaded areas, availability of equipment, physical activity instruction for children and staff, opportunities to use electronic media and staff/child interaction during physical activity time. Analyses were completed using SAS version 9.2. Results Compared with Australian centres, a higher per cent of Canadian centres had a formal physical activity policy, reported children sat more frequently for 30 min or more and allowed children to watch television. A higher per cent of Australian centres provided an indoor area for physical activity, shade outdoors and physical activity education to staff. Children in Australian centres had access to more fixed play equipment and spent more time outdoors than in Canadian centres. Conclusions These findings may help inform the development of best practice and policy guidelines to enhance opportunities for healthy levels of physical activity and screen-based sedentary behaviour within child care centres in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]