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A study conducted by Qassim University in Saudi Arabia focused on vision and amblyogenic risk factor screening among kindergarten children in the Qassim region. The research found that a significant number of children failed vision screenings, with refractive errors being a common issue. The study concluded that there is a high prevalence of amblyopia and undetected risk factors, highlighting the need for annual vision screenings for children aged 3 to 5 in the area. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by George Washington University examined the laws and regulations surrounding provisional enrollment in schools across the United States, where children who have not completed their required vaccinations are allowed to attend school while completing them. The research found that nearly all states have laws regarding provisional enrollment, with variations in vaccine requirements, personnel authorization, grace periods, follow-up procedures, and consequences for noncompliance. The study suggests that reducing the number of provisionally enrolled students could be an alternative intervention to increase vaccination coverage. The research has been peer-reviewed and is available in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China, conducted a study on the interactive effects of basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration on career calling among Chinese kindergarten teachers. The study found that high need satisfaction and low need frustration were optimal for teachers to actively search for, perceive, and live out their career calling. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the associations between need satisfaction/frustration and career calling, providing empirical evidence for the interplay between these factors. The study was supported by the Social Science Research Project of the Education Department of Jilin Province and has been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland aimed to predict adolescent difficulties in reading and arithmetic skills by examining parent- and child-related factors. The research followed a sample of Finnish children from kindergarten to adolescence and found that dysfluency in both domains was moderately predicted by parental measures and kindergarten cognitive skills. The study concluded that knowledge of letters' names, counting, and visuospatial skills were unique predictors of dysfluency in adolescence, even when school-age fluency measures were added to the models up to Grade 4. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted in rural areas of Luzhou city, China, focused on early childhood education for sexual assault prevention among young children. The research found that only a small percentage of parents/caregivers reported engaging in educational activities on this topic, highlighting the need for increased awareness and promotion of such education in rural communities. Factors influencing participation in these programs included parental occupation, caregiver's knowledge, and attitudes towards the education. The study concluded that efforts should be made to enhance early childhood education on sexual assault prevention in Luzhou city. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Maryland examined the impact of externalizing behaviors on friendship centrality and reciprocity among kindergarteners. Children nominated for displaying elevated levels of externalizing behavior were found to be less central in the classroom friendship network and had lower odds of having reciprocal friendship ties. The research, supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, highlighted gender differences and classroom size as factors influencing these relationships. The study suggests implications for future research and practice in understanding emotional and behavioral disorders in kindergarten classrooms. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin conducted a study on family-centered prevention during elementary school to reduce emotional and behavior problems in children. The study involved 57 primary caregivers, their children, and teachers, with financial support from the US Department of Education. Results showed that children whose caregivers received the Family Check-Up intervention during kindergarten had better outcomes in emotional and behavior concerns by fourth grade compared to those in the control group. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating family-centered assessment and treatment in schools to address these issues effectively. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed the cariogenicity (potential to cause tooth decay) and calorie content of meals served in a pre-kindergarten program. The study examined 123 school-provided meals over 43 days and found that breakfast foods were more cariogenic than those served for lunch or supper. The mean daily calorie intake was 1,459, with lunch containing higher calorie items compared to supper. The researchers suggest that integrating assessments of food and beverage cariogenicity into school meal planning could help mitigate early childhood caries risk among socioeconomically disadvantaged children. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, highlights a surge in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks in childcare centers and kindergartens in 2022 compared to previous years. The research found that noroviruses, known for their high transmissibility, were the most common cause of these outbreaks. The predominant genotype of norovirus changed from GII.2 to GII.4 in 2022, which contributed to the increase in AGE outbreaks. The study concludes that the rise in norovirus GII.4 transmission is primarily responsible for the increase in AGE outbreaks in Seoul. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta explores the impact of folklore-based storytelling on empathy behavior in kindergarten children. The research suggests that storytelling, particularly folklore, can effectively develop empathy in children by immersing them in relatable narratives that encourage empathetic responses and social-emotional skills. The study used a quantitative method and found that the experimental group, which received the storytelling treatment, showed a significant increase in empathy behavior compared to the control group. The researchers hope that this research will assist other schools in addressing similar issues experienced by students. [Extracted from the article]

A clinical trial has been launched to study the association between outdoor activity patterns and myopia in preschool children. The trial involves a randomized controlled study comparing the axial length and myopia incidence in an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group receives an additional hour of outdoor activity during specific time periods, while the control group continues with their regular routine. The study aims to determine the effect of outdoor activities at specific time periods on the prevention of myopia in preschool children. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases discusses an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in a kindergarten in the village of Resilovo, Bulgaria. The researchers conducted tests on fecal specimens from children and staff and found that noroviruses, specifically genotype 17 (GII.17), were the causative agent of the outbreak. This genotype was previously detected in Bulgaria in 2015 and has since been found in sporadic cases and another outbreak in 2022. The researchers emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted search for viral intestinal agents to protect public health. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at McMaster University in Manitoba, Canada, has found that children with special health needs (SHN) are more likely to experience mental disorders compared to their peers without SHN. The study analyzed data from the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a questionnaire completed by teachers to assess children's developmental health in kindergarten, and linked it with provincial health administrative data. The findings showed that children with SHN, particularly those needing further assessment or with impairments in behavior and emotions, had higher odds of receiving a mental health diagnosis. The researchers suggest that these findings could inform the development of mental health supports in schools for children with SHN. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Northwestern University examined the impact of the Chicago Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) expansion on pre-kindergarten capacity and enrollment, as well as its implications for equity. The transition from a targeted pre-K program to free, full-day UPK began in 2019 and aimed to prioritize access in disadvantaged areas before expanding to more advantaged areas. The study found that the UPK expansion increased enrollment in free, full-day pre-K programs without negatively affecting 3-year-old enrollment. Additionally, capacity and enrollment were expanded earlier in neighborhoods with higher levels of disadvantage, suggesting that access can be expanded across sociodemographic groups without compromising access for historically underinvested neighborhoods. The research concludes that the Chicago UPK expansion can serve as a model for increasing access to publicly funded programs. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Medical University of Silesia in Poland analyzed public procurement practices for cereal products in educational institutions such as schools and kindergartens. The study found that when quality criteria are not specified, the cheapest and lowest-quality products are typically selected. The research emphasized the need for minimum standards in describing cereal products in terms of composition, sensorial characteristics, and sustainability to improve the quality of grain products supplied to public institutions and promote healthy eating habits among children. The study highlights the importance of public procurement in ensuring proper nutrition and high-quality products in educational institutions. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted in Guangdong, People's Republic of China, investigated the effectiveness of preschoolers wearing masks indoors to prevent respiratory infections. The study included 135 preschoolers, with 35 in the mask-wearing group and 100 in the control group. The results showed that mask-wearing did not significantly reduce the risk of respiratory infections. However, the study had limitations, including a small sample size and a short observation period. The researchers concluded that these factors could lead to bias and limit the generalizability of the study results. [Extracted from the article]

. The article investigates how paternalistic care behaviors in healthcare impact older adults' mental health, finding that such behaviors lead to reduced decision-making involvement and increased dissatisfaction. Topics include the negative effects of healthcare paternalism, the importance of personal agency in older adults, and the need for improved healthcare policies and interventions.

A recent study conducted by the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California, explored the relationship between home food practices and the academic skills of Latino kindergarteners. The study found that food sharing, such as eating together, positively correlated with children's literacy skills, specifically vocabulary. However, food-related household chores did not have a significant impact on children's academic skills. These findings suggest that food sharing should be considered as an important aspect of Latino home learning activities that support children's academic development. The research was funded by the Brady Education Foundation, Davidson College, and the Institute of Education Sciences. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on a study examining placebo effects on physical activity and performance in kindergarten children. Topics include the effectiveness of deceptive versus nondeceptive placebos, the impact on various physical tasks, and children's enjoyment and expectations. The study found that both types of placebos increased running speed, but no significant changes were observed in balance, strength, or overall enjoyment.

The article from UCLA investigates the impact of pre-kindergarten education on the working memory development of autistic children. Topics discussed include the immediate and long-term benefits of pre-K education, the delayed onset of benefits for autistic children, and the influence of socioeconomic status on educational outcomes.

A report from Charite - University Medicine Berlin discusses the potential health benefits of the holistic health and wellness Kneipp concept for kindergarten children aged 2-6 years. The Kita Kneipp Study is a cluster randomized controlled trial that will investigate the effect of the Kneipp concept on reducing sick days in kindergartens in Berlin, Germany. The primary outcome measure will be changes in the number of kindergarten sick days, and secondary outcomes will measure cold symptoms and gastroenterological-based symptoms. The study will also include expert interviews and focused ethnographies to understand the experience of implementing the Kneipp concept in kindergartens. The study design aims to identify if the Kneipp concept can be used for health promotion among young children. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers from Lingnan University in Hong Kong aimed to identify kindergarten children at risk for dyscalculia, a specific learning disorder related to mathematics. The study followed 138 children from their second year of kindergarten to the end of their third year, and used latent class growth modeling to identify four groups with different trajectories of mathematical skill development. The researchers found that poor number line and number word comparison skills were significant factors in identifying children at risk for dyscalculia. The study suggests that early identification of at-risk children and targeted interventions can help prevent the development of dyscalculia. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents the case of a 5-year-old boy named Nick who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of 3. Nick initially responded well to applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention, but later experienced hallucinations and a decline in expressive language. Despite trying various treatments, Nick's parents are still seeking guidance on additional therapies and interventions to help manage his challenges and understand his future development. Currently, Nick is enrolled in a special education program that includes ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and music therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, aimed to explore the relationship between Vitamin D levels and body composition among kindergarten-aged children. The study included 1239 children and found that 75.54% of them had insufficient Vitamin D levels. However, there was no statistically significant difference in Vitamin D status between sexes or age groups. The study also found weak correlations between Vitamin D levels and body composition parameters, but these correlations were not clinically significant. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate about the role of Vitamin D in pediatric health and may guide future interventions to improve Vitamin D status and overall body composition in children. [Extracted from the article]

The article from the University of Glasgow details a study protocol for evaluating a toothbrushing program in Saudi Arabian kindergartens. Topics include the design and methodology of the cluster randomized controlled trial, the specific endpoints for assessing the effectiveness of the supervised toothbrushing program versus usual oral health visits, and the ethical considerations and data collection strategies involved in the research.

A study conducted by Oslo Metropolitan University explored the implementation of a nutrition education intervention in Eastern Norwegian kindergartens. The study aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators of implementing such interventions. The research found that satisfactory planning and presentation execution, tailoring to kindergarten and staff needs, and prioritizing food and meals were facilitators of implementation. On the other hand, unsatisfactory planning and presentation execution, lack of tailoring to kindergarten and staff needs, and low prioritization of food and meals were identified as barriers. The study suggests that a participatory approach, active engagement of staff, the physical learning environment, and frequent opportunities to revisit topics should be considered when developing and implementing similar interventions. [Extracted from the article]

A clinical trial, NCT06498947, is currently underway in China to investigate the factors influencing physiological hyperopia in children and its connection to myopia. Myopia is a significant public health concern in China, with high myopia leading to irreversible blindness in adults. Physiological hyperopia, which can protect against myopia, is a strong predictor of myopia. The study aims to understand how physiological hyperopia changes during childhood, identify factors that contribute to its progression to myopia, and develop new strategies for preventing and managing childhood myopia. The trial is ongoing and is expected to be completed by January 2025. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Lund University in Sweden aimed to investigate the emergence and development of social pretend play in children aged 19 to 28 months attending the same kindergarten. The study used video-recorded interactions and micro-analytical coding to analyze how children coordinated their actions to engage in social pretend play with objects. The findings suggested that co-constructed sequences of pretend play appeared as early as 19 months, indicating an early onset of social pretend play that gradually transitions from an individual activity to a co-constructed endeavor. This research provides valuable insights into the development of social pretend play in young children. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Oregon examined the role of working memory and phonological memory in mathematics and response to intervention for emergent bilingual kindergartners. The study included 131 students representing 23 different languages and found significant correlations between initial math skill, phonological memory, working memory, and language proficiency. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between gains in mathematics and these cognitive skills. The findings of this study will inform the development and delivery of math interventions for multilingual students in kindergarten. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota provides insights into early childhood research, specifically focusing on mathematics activities in preschool and kindergarten classrooms in the United States. The researchers observed 101 classrooms in seven states and found that mathematics activities comprised 5% of time observed in preschool classrooms and 25% in kindergarten classrooms. The study also revealed that teacher-led activities were more common than child-led activities in both grades. The researchers noted concerns about the lack of mathematics instruction and the over-reliance on teacher-managed instruction in early childhood classrooms, particularly in preschools. The study suggests that recommendations to improve early mathematics activities should consider the characteristics of different program types. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted in Shenzhen, China, examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of staff in kindergartens and schools regarding norovirus infection and diarrhea. The study found that norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks were common in educational institutions and were often related to the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice among staff. Following an intervention, there was an improvement in knowledge scores, particularly among female respondents and primary school staff. However, staff age and years of service were associated with lower scores in attitude and practice. The study highlights the need for comprehensive public health interventions and emphasizes the importance of addressing knowledge gaps among administrators and implementing effective prevention strategies. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Universitas Pancasila explored the concept of meaningful work among male kindergarten teachers. Despite the importance of male teachers as paternal figures in the development of students, their numbers in kindergarten classrooms are significantly lower than female teachers. The study used a qualitative approach with three male kindergarten teachers as subjects, analyzing their perceptions of meaningful work through interviews. The findings revealed that each teacher had different perspectives on the psychological meaningfulness, meaning-making, and greater good motivations of their work. The study suggests that male kindergarten teachers should improve their performance, early childhood education units should promote the presence of male teachers, and the government should provide more appreciation for kindergarten teachers. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo explores the relationship between religiosity, mindfulness, and occupational well-being among early childhood educators. The study found that mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between religiosity and occupational well-being. The research suggests that teachers' religiosity, when accompanied by mindfulness, can have a positive impact on their well-being. This study provides valuable insights for future research on well-being in the context of teaching. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Waikato in New Zealand explores the use of Pacific picturebooks in a kindergarten setting to support language learning and cultural identity for Māori and Pacific learners. The research found that these picturebooks were effective pedagogical tools and contributed to the kindergarten's curriculum. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating culturally relevant materials in early learning environments. The research was supported by the Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato and has been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania examined the patterns of cognitive and social-emotional parental stimulation practices among Ghanaian kindergarteners. The study found that there are four main types of households based on stimulation practices: highly stimulating, social-emotionally stimulating, playful, and playful and academically stimulating. The research suggests that all combinations of parental stimulation are equally beneficial for children's school-related skills, and that a tailored approach to parenting programs may be beneficial. The study concludes that programs can build on activities that parents already engage in to encourage increased stimulation in other areas. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Virginia examined the allocation of instructional time in half-day versus full-day pre-kindergarten (preK) classrooms in a Colorado public school district that primarily serves Hispanic and low-income students. The study found significant variation in time allocation between the two types of classes, particularly in terms of instructional and noninstructional activities. Full-day classes included a daily nap, and a considerable portion of classroom time was dedicated to mixed-content activities. The research fills a gap in the body of research on time use in early childhood education and provides valuable information for stakeholders considering the expansion of preK programs to include a full-day option. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) examined the association between academic achievement goals and adolescent depressive symptoms. The study analyzed data from two cohorts of Australian children and found that depressive symptoms in adolescents were linked to their achievement goals. Specifically, an increase in mastery-approach goals was associated with decreased depressive symptom severity, while an increase in mastery-avoidance goals was associated with increased symptom severity. The study suggests that interventions aimed at enhancing mastery goals could potentially prevent depression in adolescents. [Extracted from the article]

A systematic review conducted by researchers from the University of La Laguna in Spain highlights the importance of early detection and intervention in children with specific learning disabilities. The study focuses on the use of curriculum-based measures (CBMs) as tools for early assessments in kindergarten students' writing skills. The review found that there is a scarcity of evidence-based tools for identifying early writing difficulties, emphasizing the need for further research in early childhood education. The findings suggest that CBMs can be reliable and sensitive measures for assessing writing skills in young children. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel explores the relationship between children's values and their social behavior in kindergarten. The study suggests that children's preferred values, as defined by Schwartz (1994), influence their behavior tendencies in social contexts. The researchers found that children who preferred self-transcendence values exhibited more prosocial behaviors and fewer antisocial behaviors in class. These findings shed light on the socio-cognitive factors that drive values-behavior relationships in young children and highlight the importance of understanding various facets of social cognition in relation to social behavior. The study was published in the European Journal of Psychology of Education and was supported by the Israel Science Foundation and the Azrieli Foundation. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the College of Clinical Medicine in China evaluated the effectiveness of risk-based caries management (RBCM) in preventing tooth decay among Chinese preschool children. The study found that RBCM effectively prevented new cases of tooth decay and reduced the proportion of children at increased risk of caries. The research involved 291 children aged 3-5 years from four kindergartens in Wanzhou District, Chongqing Municipality. The findings suggest that RBCM is an effective approach for preventing early childhood caries (ECC). [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Perugia discusses the concept of kindergarten farms, which are educational initiatives that aim to connect children with nature and agriculture. These farms provide outdoor education and contribute to the educational system in areas where services are lacking. The study found that there is high interest in educational services organized in nature and farms, and that attitudes towards these services are influenced by socio-demographic factors such as income and education level. The researchers suggest that developing these educational services can strengthen the relationship between agriculture and education, and contribute to the well-being of communities. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted in rural western China investigated a norovirus outbreak that occurred in a kindergarten. The study found that improper handling of vomit and the absence of standardized disinfection protocols were associated with the outbreak. The researchers aim to raise awareness and attention towards the prevention and control of norovirus, particularly in economically underdeveloped regions. This study is the first investigation into a norovirus outbreak in rural areas of western China, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on infectious disease prevention in economically underdeveloped areas and countries. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Education University of Hong Kong examined the impacts of the Early Prevention, Early Identification, and Early Intervention Program on Chinese children's socioemotional competence, behavioral adjustment, and pre-academic skills. The program consisted of the Little Garden Curriculum for all second-year kindergarten students and the Little Greenhouse Curriculum for third-year students with socioemotional difficulties. The study found that children who completed the Little Garden Curriculum showed improvements in socioemotional competence, behavioral adjustment, and pre-academic skills. Additionally, children who completed the Little Greenhouse Curriculum showed higher scores on certain outcome measures. The research highlights the importance of culturally relevant programs in improving the socioemotional competence of Chinese children. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers from Texas State University has validated the use of the Mediated Learning Observation (MLO) instrument in assessing language learning skills in children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD) during dynamic assessment. The study involved 224 children from kindergarten to second grade, with 188 typically developing children and 36 with DLD. The MLO was found to have a stable three-factor model with good reliability, comprising cognitive factors, learning anticipation, and learning engagement. The researchers suggest that the MLO can be a valuable tool in dynamic assessment and provide practical implications for its utilization. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, has found that certain visual-perceptual and motor skills, as well as behavioral traits, exhibited by kindergarteners can predict their Chinese handwriting legibility and speed in the first grade. The study involved 106 kindergarten children, and the results showed that poor performance in spatial relationships, visual-motor integration, manual dexterity, and attention were associated with less legible handwriting and slower writing speed in the first grade. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and intervention for children at risk of handwriting difficulties. [Extracted from the article]

A report from North Carolina State University discusses research on early childhood education. The study examines whether the convergence of students' gains from pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) with those who did not attend Pre-K is due to skill heterogeneity in kindergarten classrooms. The researchers analyzed data from six rural school districts in North Carolina and found mixed evidence in support of this hypothesis. The study concludes that measures of kindergarten classroom heterogeneity were inconsistently related to skill convergence, but all significant associations were in the predicted direction. The research has been peer-reviewed and can be found in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly journal. [Extracted from the article]