From Birth to Three: Exploring Educators’ Understandings of Agency

The Early Years Learning Framework promotes the need to recognise children’s participation rights and for educators to be responsive to and promote child agency. This study explored how infant and toddler educators understand agency, and what role they ascribe to themselves in infants’ and toddlers’ realisation of agency. Research was undertaken in early childhood settings in Brisbane, Australia. Interviews and reflection activities were conducted with 15 educators working with children under three years, and responses coded through thematic analysis. Participants provided some working definitions of agency and examples of supporting children’s agency in their everyday practices. However, responses largely revealed confusion and limited understandings of agency. Through engaging a critical feminist paradigm, a connection between the status provided to infant–toddler educators, and the impact upon their knowledge and practice is proposed, and recommendations put forward for increased opportunities relating to birth to three pedagogy.

Nonsterile immunity to cryptosporidiosis in infants is associated with mucosal IgA against the sporozoite and protection from malnutrition

We conducted a longitudinal study of cryptosporidiosis from birth to three years of age in an urban slum of Dhaka Bangladesh. Fecal DNA was extracted from monthly surveillance samples and diarrheal stool samples collected from 392 infants from birth to three years. A pan-Cryptosporidium qPCR assay was used to identify sub-clinical and symptomatic cryptosporidiosis. Anthropometric measurements were collected quarterly to assess child nutritional status. 31% (121/392) of children experienced a single and 57% (222/392) multiple infections with Cryptosporidium. Repeat infections had a lower burden of parasites in the stool (Cq slope = -1.85; p<0.0001) and were more likely to be sub-clinical (Chi square test for trend; p = 0.01). Repeat infections were associated with the development of growth faltering (Pearson correlation = -0.18; p = 0.0004). High levels of fecal IgA antibodies against the Cryptosporidium Cp23 sporozoite protein at one year of life were associated with a delay in reinfection and amelioration of growth faltering through three years of life (HAZ IgA high responders -1.323 ± 0.932 versus HAZ -1.731 ± 0.984 p = 0.0001). We concluded that nonsterile immunity to cryptosporidiosis in young children was associated with high levels of mucosal IgA anti-Cp23 and protection from diarrhea and growth faltering. Trial Registration: NCT02764918.

Early Childhood Science Education from 0 to 6: A Literature Review

Over the past three decades, our understanding of science learning in early childhood has improved exponentially and today we have a strong empirically based understanding of science experiences for children aged three to six years. However, our understanding of science learning as it occurs for children from birth to three years, is limited. We do not know enough about how scientific thinking develops across the first years of life. Identifying what we do know about science experiences for our youngest learners within the birth to three period specifically, is critical. This paper reviews the literature, and for the first time includes children in the birth to three period. The results are contextualised through a broader review of early childhood science education for children aged from birth to six years. Findings illustrated that the empirical research on science concept formation in the early years, has focused primarily, on children aged three to six years. The tendency of research to examine the process of concept formation in the birth to three period is also highlighted. A lack of empirical understanding of science concept formation in children from birth to three is evident. The eminent need for research in science in infancy–toddlerhood is highlighted.

The use of specialized products of children’s dietary medical nutrition for children with organic aciduria (acidemia)

Целью данного исследования было изучить эффективность и переносимость специализированных продуктов детского диетического лечебного питания у детей с наследственными нарушениями обмена аминокислот с рождения до трех лет. Проведено открытое, многоцентровое, проспективное, неконтролируемое исследование. В исследование включены 8 пациентов с установленным диагнозом в возрасте от рождения до 2 лет 11 месяцев. Пациенты были распределены на группы в зависимости от диагноза и вида исследуемого продукта (ИП). Оценка эффективности проводилась в соответствии с принципами надлежащей клинической практики, на основании полученных клинических и лабораторных данных. На протяжении всего исследования все пациенты успешно принимали ИП. Диспепсических явлений, аллергических реакций, ухудшения соматического и неврологического статуса не зарегистрировано ни в одном случае. На фоне лечения зафиксированы оптимальные уровни нейротоксичных метаболитов в крови и моче. Показана высокая клиническая эффективность ИП у детей с наследственными нарушениями обмена аминокислот с рождения до трех лет. To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the products specialized children's dietary nutritional therapy in children with Inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism from birth to three years. 8 children from birth to 2y 11m with verified diagnoses were enrolled in this open-label multicenter prospective non-controlled study. Patients were separated to the groups depending on diagnose and nutritional treatment products. Clinical efficacy of the products was assessed according to the Good Clinical Practice guidelines based on clinical and laboratory tests. All patients taken nutritional treatment products throughout the study. No dyspepsia, allergic reactions, impairment of somatic and neurological status were reported. After the treatment, levels of neurotoxic metabolites in the blood and urine were optimal. Nutritional therapy is highly effective in children with Inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism from birth to three years.

Nonsterile immunity to cryptosporidiosis in infants is associated with mucosal IgA against the sporozoite and protection from malnutrition

We conducted a longitudinal study of cryptosporidiosis from birth to three years of age in an urban slum of Dhaka Bangladesh. Fecal DNA was extracted from monthly surveillance samples and diarrheal stool samples collected from 392 infants from birth to three years. A pan-Cryptosporidium qPCR assay was used to identify sub-clinical and symptomatic cryptosporidiosis. Anthropometric measurements were collected quarterly to assess child nutritional status. 31% (121/392) of children experienced a single and 57% (222/392) multiple infections with Cryptosporidium. Repeat infections had a lower burden of parasites in the stool (Cq slope = -1.85; p<0.0001) and were more likely to be sub-clinical (Chi square test for trend; p=0.01). Repeat infections were associated with the development of growth faltering (Pearson correlation = -0.18; p=0.0004). High levels of fecal IgA antibodies against the Cryptosporidium Cp23 sporozoite protein at one year of life were associated with a delay in reinfection and amelioration of growth faltering through three years of life (HAZ IgA high responders -1.323 ± 0.932 versus HAZ -1.731 ± 0.984 p=0.0001). We concluded that nonsterile immunity to cryptosporidiosis in young children was associated with high levels of mucosal IgA anti-Cp23 and protection from diarrhea and growth faltering.

Under threes’ play with tablets

This paper outlines the findings from a study that examined the tablet and app use of children aged from birth to three. The aim of the study was to examine how far use of tablets and apps promoted play and creativity. A total of 954 UK parents of children aged from birth to three who had access to a tablet in the home completed an online survey that explored the children’s use of apps. Ethnographic case studies of four children aged from birth to three were undertaken in homes in order to explore in greater depth issues that emerged in the survey. The paper reports on the way in which the use of tablets promoted play and creativity across cognitive, physical social and cultural domains. The implications for policy and research are outlined.