Knowledge of caregivers and factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the knowledge of caregivers and the factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children. Methods: a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, was conducted with 220 child-caregiver binomials attended in the public health services of the municipality of Parnaíba, State of Piauí. The study used the “Denver Test II” and the “Inventory of Child Development Knowledge”. Results: the study classified 197 children with natural development and 23 with suspicious development. Caregivers with a higher level of knowledge about child development were associated with children with better development. The study considered caregiver knowledge, gestational age, and exclusive breastfeeding as protective factors for appropriate neuropsychomotor development when used the regression model. Conclusions: actions aimed at indicators that presented positive associations must be implemented to improve child development, such as educational activities to increase the level of knowledge of caregivers, improvement of prenatal monitoring, and encouragement of breastfeeding.

Child Development Knowledge and Father Engagement: The Mediating Role of Parenting Self-efficacy

Early father engagement is associated with numerous positive child outcomes including cognitive development, emotional regulation, and fewer problem behaviors. Various fathering programs attempt to encourage father engagement through teaching fathers about young children’s development and needs. This study examined 181 low-income fathers’ child development knowledge (self-perceived and objective) as predictors of father engagement (verbal stimulation, caregiving, and physical play) with infants. Additionally, parenting self-efficacy (PSE) was examined as a mediator. Results revealed that fathers’ self-perceived child development knowledge positively predicted engagement with infants (verbal stimulation and caregiving), but objective knowledge did not. PSE did not mediate the relationship between self-perceived knowledge and father engagement. These findings yield important implications for fathering research and interventions, suggesting that it may be particularly beneficial to increase fathers’ confidence in their ability to understand and meet their child’s needs rather than exclusively focusing on improving fathers’ knowledge of child development.

Parents’ use of mobile computing devices, caregiving and the social and emotional development of children: a systematic review of the evidence

Objectives: Mobile device use is a rapidly growing, socially acceptable interactional habit. The impact of mobile device use on social interactions, including between parents and young children, is uncertain. The aim was to describe, synthesise and evaluate the evidence about parents’ mobile device use, caregiving and children’s social and emotional development. Methods: Seven medical and social sciences databases were searched using keywords and subject headings. Screening for eligibility used PRISMA guidelines and scientific and reporting quality were assessed with standardised checklists. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria (four surveys, three qualitative and one mixed-method investigation). This small group of studies is of diverse quality, but there is evidence of associations between parents’ mobile device use, attention to caregiving and changes in child behaviour. Use of mobile devices during parenting activities may be infrequent and brief, but it can be a potent distraction that reduces caregiver responsiveness to children. Conclusions: An emerging body of research suggests mobile devices are associated with altered attention and responsivity to children by their caregivers and may change caregiver/child interactions. The evidence precludes questions about causality or discussion of impacts on child development. Knowledge gaps have been identified and they require future targeted research.