scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Eating Environments and Activity in Early Childhood Education and Care in Alberta, Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4247
Author(s):  
Lynne M. Z. Lafave ◽  
Alexis D. Webster ◽  
Ceilidh McConnell ◽  
Nadine Van Wyk ◽  
Mark R. Lafave
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
The Impact

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments influence children’s early development and habits that track across a lifespan. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 government-mandated guidelines on physical activity (PA) and eating environments in ECEC settings. This cross-sectional study involved the recruitment of 19 ECEC centers pre-COVID (2019) and 15 ECEC centers during COVID (2020) in Alberta, Canada (n = 34 ECEC centers; n = 83 educators; n = 361 preschoolers). Educators completed the CHEERS (Creating Healthy Eating and activity Environments Survey) and MEQ (Mindful Eating Questionnaire) self-audit tools while GT3X+ ActiGraph accelerometers measured preschooler PA. The CHEERS healthy eating environment subscale was greater during COVID-19 (5.97 ± 0.52; 5.80 ± 0.62; p = 0.02) and the overall score positively correlated with the MEQ score (r = 0.20; p = 0.002). Preschoolers exhibited greater hourly step counts (800 ± 189; 649 ± 185), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (9.3 ± 3.0 min/h; 7.9 ± 3.2 min/h) and lower sedentary times (42.4 ± 3.9 min/h; 44.1 ± 4.9 min/h) during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID, respectively (p < 0.05). These findings suggest the eating environment and indices of child physical activity were better in 2020, which could possibly be attributed to a change in government-mandated COVID-19 guideline policy.

Food Allergy Readiness and Anaphylaxis Management in Early Childhood Education and Care in Western Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Hammershaimb Jacobsen ◽  
Ros Sambell ◽  
Amanda Devine ◽  
Sandra Vale
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Food Allergy ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Available Resources

WITH THE INCREASE IN prevalence of food allergy (FA) in young children, early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers are likely to have more enrolments of children who are at risk of anaphylaxis. This study examines the status of FA management in ECEC, and assesses the services’ current readiness to prevent and manage FA. A cross-sectional study comprising an online survey with multiple-choice and open-ended questions was conducted with 53 long day care services in Western Australia. Among the respondents, 83 per cent of services had at least one child enrolled with FA, 96 per cent had an FA policy, and 91 per cent required staff to undertake anaphylaxis training. A high level of self-reported confidence and skills were demonstrated; however, gaps were identified in risk-minimisation knowledge, use of adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors and available resources. Extensive promotion of available resources will help improve compliance with anaphylaxis guidelines.

scholarly journals Movement Behaviors during COVID-19. A Survey among Children under Five Years of Latin American Origin or Descent from Chile, Mexico, and the US

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Jauregui ◽  
Deborah Salvo ◽  
Nicolas Aguilar-Farias ◽  
Anthony Okely
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care

Abstract Movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior (including screen time), and sleep) have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to report changes in and factors influencing movement behaviors during COVID-19 among Latin American/Latino children aged 1 to 5 years in Chile, Mexico, and the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional study between April and August 2020. Caregivers reported changes in movement behaviors and provided information about family and household characteristics. In total, 4,136 children (mean age [SD], 3.1 [1.4] years; 51% boys). The proportion of children who met the WHO Guidelines decreased significantly in all countries, with large declines in meeting the physical activity and screen time guidelines. Factors associated with changes were being an older child, unable to attend an early childhood education and care service, higher parental education levels, not having the opportunity to play with someone, and not having access to spaces to play. During COVID-19, Latino parents reported changes in physical activity, screen time, and sleep quality among their toddlers and preschoolers. The findings highlight the need to minimize disparities faced by families by providing access to early childhood education and care and safe places for children to play.

Language support competence and language proficiency of early years professionals in monolingual and bilingual settings: Similarities and differences

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-278
Author(s):  
Daniela Ofner
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Language Support ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Personnel Recruitment ◽  
Education And Care

AbstractEarly Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals need specific knowledge and abilities to support children’s language development: language support competence (LSC). Research has shown varying levels of LSC of the personnel in early childhood education centers. However, only early childhood educators in monolingual institutions promoting the majority language were included in these studies. The growing interest in bilingual education in early childhood in many European countries raises the question whether ECEC professionals in bilingual institutions are better qualified for language-related tasks due to the evident focus on language and multilingualism. In a cross-sectional study, LSC and language proficiency of 115 ECEC professionals in monolingual and 24 ECEC professionals in bilingual early childhood education centers in Germany were assessed with standardized tests. Participants in bilingual institutions reached higher knowledge scores but did not differ from their colleagues in monolingual institutions in their abilities or language proficiency. Correlational and regression analyses revealed that LSC is related to several personal and professional background factors such as level of education or participation in professional development courses. The results are discussed with respect to language support practices in early childhood education and possible selection processes in personnel recruitment.

scholarly journals Nutrition Knowledge and Perspectives of Physical Activity for Pre-Schoolers amongst Early Childhood Education and Care Teachers

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Rapson ◽  
Cathryn Conlon ◽  
Ajmol Ali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

Caregivers’ nutrition and physical activity knowledge is recognised as being important for children’s health and body size. Identifying knowledge gaps amongst caregivers may inform professional development and obesity-prevention strategies in childcare settings. This cross-sectional validated online questionnaire aimed to measure current early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers’ nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers (2–5-year-olds) and related perspectives. Teachers’ (n = 386) knowledge of nutrition was lacking: The overall score was 22.56 ± 2.83 (mean ± SD), or 61% correct. Increased years of experience significantly predicted an increase in knowing that national nutrition and physical activity guidelines exist (B = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.00–0.03], r2 = 0.13, p = 0.033). Teachers’ increased agreement in feeling they were confident talking about nutrition to parents significantly predicted an increase in overall nutrition knowledge scores (B = 0.34 [95% CI, 0.06–0.63], r2 = 0.15, p = 0.019). The belief that ECEC teachers play a vital role in promoting pre-schoolers’ healthy eating and physical activity was widespread. Common knowledge barriers included a lack of staff training, confidence, and resources. ECEC teachers may lack nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers, particularly in regard to basic nutrition recommendations (servings, food/beverage choices, and portion sizes).

scholarly journals Densitas Gizi dan Morbiditas serta Hubungannya dengan Status Gizi Anak Usia Prasekolah Pedesaan

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Sarah Melati Davidson ◽  
Cesilia Meti Dwiriani ◽  
Ali Khomsan
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education

Usia prasekolah merupakan periode golden age yang rentan terhadap penyakit infeksi sehingga harus diperhatikan pemenuhan gizinya agar dapat tumbuh kembang secara optimal. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengkaji densitas zat gizi dan energi pangan, densitas asupan zat gizi dan energi, morbiditas, serta hubungannya dengan status gizi BB/U, TB/U, dan BB/TB pada anak usia prasekolah di daerah pedesaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan data Improving Child Growth and Development through Nutrition and Psychosocial Intervention in Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Setting in Rural Areas berkerja sama dengan Nestle Foundation (NF) Switzerland. Desain penelitian ini adalah cross-sectional study melibatkan 120 anak usia prasekolah usia 4-6 tahun. Lokasi dan subjek dipilih secara purposive dilakukan di Kecamatan Tamansari dan Kecamatan Dramaga, Kabupaten Bogor. Studi ini menemukan bahwa sebagian besar subjek memiliki status gizi yang baik. Densitas gizi pangan anak usia prasekolah pedesaan rendah kualitas zat gizinya. Densitas asupan zat gizi mikro ditemukan rendah tetapi tinggi densitas asupan energi. Lebih dari setengah subjek dengan tingkat morbiditas tinggi. Densitas asupan energi signifikan berhubungan dengan status gizi BB/U dan BB/TB (p<0.05). Densitas asupan protein signifikan berhubungan dengan status gizi BB/U dan TB/U (p<0.05). Morbiditas tidak signifikan berhubungan dengan status gizi.

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