The subject matter of the study is communicative features of children in preschool age with ASD. The object matter of the study is specificity of communicative skills development of children with ASD in preschool age. The final qualification work consists of an introduction, two chapters, conclusions, a list of references (55 sources) and an annex including the blank forms of the applied methods. The volume of the work is 128 pages, which include 9 figures and 16 tables. The introduction reveals the relevance of the chosen research problem, the level of development of the problematics; the objective and the tasks of the study are set, the subject matter and the scope of the research are determined, the basic and additional hypotheses are formulated, the methods and the empirical base are defined, as well as the stages of the research, its scientific novelty and practical significance of the work. The first chapter is devoted to the study of communicative skills development of children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in preschool age and possibilities of correction by music therapy. Conclusions on the first chapter are the results of the study of theoretical material. The second chapter is devoted to the empirical part of the study. It includes a description of the organization and methods of the study, as well as the results obtained due to the applied methods: "Comprehensive assessing young Children" (O.G. Prikhodko), Diagnostics of children's understanding emotional states of the person. (Zabramnaya S.D., Borovik O.V.), "Psychological and pedagogical diagnostics of development of children of early and preschool age" (edited by E.A. Strebeleva), CARS Scale ( Childhood Autism Rating Scale). Also, the chapter presents a psycho-correctional program of communication skills development of children with ASD by music therapy. And a comparative and correlation analysis of the results of the study. The findings of Chapter 2 are the main results of the empirical study. In the conclusion, brief results of the theoretical and empirical parts of the work are presented, as well as conclusions on the hypotheses. The practical significance of the study is substantiated. / Объектом исследования явились коммуникативные особенности детей старшего дошкольного возраста с РАС. Предметом исследования стала специфика развития коммуникативных навыков детей с РАС старшего дошкольного возраста. Выпускная квалификационная работа состоит из введения, двух глав, заключения, списка литературы (55 источников) и приложения, включающего в себя бланки применяющихся методик. Объем работы 128 страниц, на которых размещены 9 рисунков и 16 таблиц. Во введении раскрывается актуальность проблемы исследования, разработанность проблематики, ставятся цель и задачи исследования, определяются объект и предмет исследования, формулируются основная и дополнительные гипотезы, указываются методы и эмпирическая база, а также этапы проведения исследования и практическая значимость работы. Первая глава посвящена изучению особенностей развития коммуникативных навыков детей с расстройствами аутистического спектра (РАС) старшего дошкольного возраста и возможностей их коррекции средствами музыкотерапии. Выводы по первой главе представляют собой итоги по изучению теоретического материала. Вторая глава посвящена эмпирической части исследования. В ней представлено описание организации и методов проведенного исследования и результатов, полученных по всем использованным методикам: «Комплексное обследование детей раннего возраста» (О.Г. Приходько), Диагностика понимания детьми эмоциональных состояний человека. (Забрамная С.Д., Боровик О. В.), «Психолого-педагогическая диагностика развития детей раннего и дошкольного возраста» (под ред. Е.А. Стребелевой), Шкала CARS (рейтинговая шкала аутизма у детей). Также, в главе представлена психокоррекционная программа по формированию коммуникативных способностей у детей с рас средствами музыкотерапии. И сравнительный и корреляционный анализ результатов исследования. Выводы по главе 2 включают в себя основные результаты эмпирического исследования. В заключении в обобщенном виде изложены результаты теоретической и эмпирической частей работы, а также выводы по выдвинутым гипотезам, обоснована практическая значимость исследования.

No description available.

This dissertation investigated the roles of early childhood fundamental motor skills (FMS) competence on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health outcomes among underserved preschoolers in Head Start, and examined parental influence on their children's FMS competence. An explanatory sequential mixed methodology was used to examine the predictive strength of FMS competence on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health outcomes among 216 underserved preschoolers from six Head Start centers (Mage = 4.32, SD = 0.63; girls 56.5%). This methodology allowed for a follow-up qualitative aspect to explore the influence of parents' perceptions and behaviors on their child's FMS competence and health outcomes in a subsample of eight parent–child dyads who demonstrate high or low FMS competence in the quantitative data. The results of this dissertation suggest that preschoolers' FMS competence, especially locomotor skills, were associated with and predicted various health outcomes in sedentary behavior (β = -0.21), light physical activity (β = 0.23), executive function (β = -0.21), and perceived motor competence (β = 0.34). No significant influences of FMS competence on moderate-to-vigorous, body fatness, HRQoL were found (p > 0.05). We also found that positive parental influences (role modeling, support, and facilitation) were observed more often among preschoolers in the high FMS competence group. In addition, preschoolers with single, divorced, or young parents (age range 18–24) tended to show low FMS competence. The analysis of children's drawing pictures also indicated differences in images related to the moments when they played games or sports with parents based on their FMS competence levels. Practical implications and future research direction are discussed.

In this study, I examined the impact of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on the social and emotional functioning and mindful expressions of preschoolers in Head Start preschool programs. Participants were 23 children from two Head Start preschool programs in the southwestern U.S. who qualified for free or reduced lunch and were referred by school personnel for behavioral or academic concerns (18 males, 5 females; ages 3-5, mean age = 3.74). The sample consisted of 1 (4.3%) African American, 5 (21.7%) Caucasian, 14 (60.9%) Latino, and 3 (13%) multiracial children. Participants were randomly assigned to eight weeks of twice-weekly CCPT experimental groups (n = 11) or a waitlist control group (n = 12). Results of the independent samples t-tests revealed statistically significant improvement in preschool children's empathy and responsibility for children who participated in CCPT on the Social Emotional Assets and Resiliency Scale for Preschool. Practically significant findings revealed that CCPT may influence specific mindful expressions including curiosity and openness as well as overall social-emotional competence, emotional knowledge and expression, and empathy and responsibility in Head Start preschool children. Results of this study support the effectiveness of CCPT with disadvantaged preschool children.

Social learning has given us insight into how children learn actions from others across different domains (e.g., actions on objects, pretend play, and tool use). However, little research exists to confirm whether young children can generate their own novel actions. Three different settings were chosen to offer a varied investigation of children’s ability to generate novel actions: generating multiple actions with novel objects; generating iconic gestures in order to communicate; and generating pretend actions using object substitution. Generating multiple actions with novel objects: The Unusual Box test was developed to investigate children’s ability to generate multiple actions with novel objects (Chapter 2). The Unusual Box test involves children playing with a wooden box that contains many different features (e.g., rings, stairs, strings), and five novel objects. The number of different actions performed on the box and with the objects (i.e., fluency) was used as a measure of their individual learning. Positive correlations between the fluency scores of 24 3- and 4-year-olds on the Unusual Box test and two existing measures of divergent thinking were found. Divergent thinking relates to the ability to think of multiple answers based on one premise. Furthermore, a large range of fluency scores indicated individual differences in children’s ability to generate multiple actions with novel objects. In addition, 16 2-year-olds were assessed on the Unusual Box test, twice two weeks apart, to investigate test-retest reliability and the possibility that the Unusual Box test could be used with children younger than 3 years. A strong positive correlation between the scores on the two assessments showed high test-retest reliability, while individual differences in fluency scores and the absence of a floor effect indicated that the Unusual Box test was usable in children from 2 years of age. Generating iconic gestures in order to communicate: Children’s ability to generate iconic gestures in order to communicate was assessed using a game to request stickers from an experimenter (N = 20, Chapter 3). In order to get a sticker children had to communicate to the experimenter which out of two objects they wanted (only one object had a sticker attached to it). Children’s use of speech or pointing was ineffective; therefore only generating an iconic gesture was sufficient to retrieve the sticker. Children generated a correct iconic gesture on 71% of the trials. These findings indicate that children generate their own iconic gestures in order to communicate; and that they understand the representational nature of iconic gestures, and use this in their own generation of iconic gestures. Generating pretend actions using object substitution: In order to determine whether children are able to generate their own object substitution actions and understand the representational nature of these actions, 45 3- and 4-year-olds were familiarized with the goal of a task through modelling actions. Children distinguished between the intentions of an experimenter to pretend, or try and perform a correct action. Children mainly imitated the pretend actions, while correcting the trying actions. Next, children were presented with objects for which they had to generate their own object substitution actions without being shown a model. When children had previously been shown pretend actions, children generated their own object substitution actions. This indicates that children generate their own object substitution actions, and that they understand the representational nature of these actions. An additional study with 34 3-year-olds, revealed no significant correlations between divergent thinking, inhibitory control, or children’s object substitution in a free play setting, and children’s ability to generate object substitution actions in the experimental setting.

本研究設計了一個結合遊戲性及新型互動體驗的英語學習輔助玩具，目的是將英語學習帶入學齡前兒童的戲水情境之中，兒童可透過與玩具遊戲的過程，達到英語學習歷程的催化。本研究開發之數位互動玩具，可藉由手與尾巴做出不同組合的動作，以及眼睛可以投射出燈光圖案表達不同情緒。並透過語音播放出故事中的單字與句子，再藉由以上的功能會組成不同的回饋。小朋友能用摸與說話的方式，在與玩具之間的遊戲過程中，達到產生興趣的效果。 現階段本研究探討使用者經驗的分析，若要分析小朋友的正式學習歷程，就必須先了解小朋友的動機和使用後的回饋，以讓未來學習歷程中的研究作為基礎。因此，基於認知心理學家的理論討論幼兒學習的歷程，以及為了得知如何設計適合的玩具給小朋友，本研究提出設計時的原則以及使用者經驗與使用性，建構出互動玩具的雛形。實驗評估對象共為8位3~5歲之兒童(第一階段7位，第二階段1位)，以觀察的方式紀錄實驗過程，利用開放式問題詢問小朋友的回饋，並以進行整理與分析。總結，研究成果為： 1. 互動學習體驗：將科技結合一般戲水玩具，透過觸摸及語音的互動方式產生動作、燈光圖案、聲音等回饋，從戲水互動過程中給予兒童新的互動學習體驗。 2. 學習與探索的動機：本研究依據Skinner的操作制約概念制定互動流程，玩具經實驗發現透過觸摸及口說的互動，產生了多元回饋刺激，包含故事內容及卡牌的配合，讓小朋友在遊戲過程中能自行探索內容並在過程中學習。 3. 使用者經驗與使用性分析：從使用性五項指標分析情緒起伏歷程紀錄及分析使用者經驗，發現玩具容易讓小朋友操作且記憶玩具提供之內容，整體使用性是高的。但相較於觸摸的互動方式，說話的互動方式會讓小朋友在操作上使用性較低。 互動玩具的設計製作：以UCD的設計思維建構互動玩具外型設計、人機互動方式及內容設計，並再以Arduino為主要載體建構模組化之設計。 / This study designed an English learning toy that combined the game and a new interactive experience. This aim is to integrate English learning into the context of preschoolers playing in water and use the interaction with the toy to promote the English learning process. In this study, the digital interactive toy we made that can make different combinations of action by using its hands and tail, project out the lighting patterns to express various emotions by its eyes, and play out the words and sentences of the story by the voice player. According to the above functions, the toy forms different ways of feedback. It is effective that children can develop an interest in the toy by the ways of touching and saying in the process of game playing. At present, this study explored the analysis of user experience, if we want to analysis the children's formal learning process, we must first understand the child's motivation and feedback after use, so that it can be a foundation of the learning process in the future. Thus, the study is based on the theory of cognitive psychologists that discussed the course of early childhood learning. In order to know how to design a suitable toy for preschoolers, this study built the prototype of the interactive toy through presenting the design principles and user experience and usability. The subjects were 8 preschoolers (3-5 years of age) enrolled in the study (7 subjects in the first stage and 1 subject in the third stage). Researcher recorded the experimental procedure by the way of observing, inquired the research subjects to get their feedback by opened questions, and then digested and analyzed to the conclusion. Summary, the results of this research are in the following: (1) Interactive learning experience: The combination of technology and the general water-playing toys. The digital interactive toy let preschoolers get a new interactive learning experience through the way of touching and speaking to emerge action, light patterns, sound and other feedback. (2) Learning motivation and exploration: Based on Skinner's operational control concept, the research has found that the toy stimulates a variety of feedback through touching and speaking of the interaction, including the story content and cards. The preschoolers in the course of the game can explore the content by themselves and learning during the process. (3) User experience and usability analysis: According to the use of five indicators to analyze the course of emotional change and user experience, the research has found that the toys easily to be operated by children and made them keep memory of the contents the toy provided. The overall use is high, however, compared to the interactive way of touching, the way of speaking is lower in the children’s operation. (4) Interactive toy design: The toy is based on UCD design thinking to construct interactive toy exterior design, human-computer interaction and content design. The main carrier is Arduino to build out the modular design.

Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência de anemia e investigar fatores associados a sua ocorrência em crianças de 2,5 a 6 anos de idade, em Itapetininga, São Paulo. Comparar, através de estudo de intervenção com snacks de pulmão bovino/milho/grão-de-bico ou pulmão bovino/milho, as mudanças nos parametros bioquímicos do estado nutricional em ferro. Métodos: Urn estudo transversal com amostragem por conglomerado foi conduzido em 9 creches públicas de Itapetininga. Após consentimento informado, mães/pais preencheram questionário a respeito de características demográficas e sócio-econômicas. A concentração de hemoglobina foi determinada em Hemocue através de sangue capilar. A relação entre a presença de anemia e variáveis independentes foi analisada por regressão. A dieta das crianças foi avaliada através do recordatário de 24 horas e do cardápio semanal da creche. A concentração de hemoglobina foi determinada em Hemocue e contador automático, para comparação entre métodos, em amostras de sangue de 20% da população. Durante a fase de rastreamento, crianças anêmicas, ferro deficientes e não anêmicas foram selecionadas para participar do estudo de intervenção com snacks fortificados com ferro. As crianças foram examinadas no início e ao final do estudo (cerca de 100 dias) por meio de coleta de sangue venoso. Sessenta e sete pré-escolares foram aleatorizados entre os grupos e receberam 3 pacotes com 30 g de snacks por semana. Para o diagnóstico da criança anêmica, ferro-deficiente e não anêmica foram considerados a concentração de hemoglobina, saturação da transferrina, volume corpuscular médio e ferritina sérica. Resultados: 0 estudo de prevalência somou 576 crianças. A prevalência de anemia foi de 13,02% (IC 95% 9,77 -- 16,33). Foi observada relação entre idade da criança e família numerosa e a anemia. Para crianças anêmicas não houve diferença na concentração de hemoglobina medida por sangue venoso ou capilar. Uma significativa melhora foi observada em alguns parâmetros bioquímicos: hemoglobina corpuscular média, hemácias e concentraçãdo de hemoglobina, independente do snack consumido e do diagnóstico inicial. A concentração de hemoglobina dessas crianças aumentou, em media, 0,44 g/dL. 0 consumo de ferro se manteve inalterado antes e após o ensaio e foi semelhante para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Os achados deste estudo mostram uma baixa prevalência de anemia na população estudada. 0 consumo dos snacks proporcionou aumento na concentração de hemoglobina. As vantagens e limitações nos parâmetros bioquímicos devem ser consideradas para a escolha do método apropriado para cada situação ou objetivo. / Objectives: to determine the prevalence of anemia and to investigate factors associated with its occurrence in children from 2.5 to 6 years-old in Itapetininga, São Paulo, and to compare, through nutritional intervention trial with two types of snacks, with bovine lung and chickpea, changes in the biochemical parameters of nutritional iron status. Methods: A cross-sectional study with cluster sampling was conducted on nine public day care centers, in Itapetininga, being examined 576 children. After informed consent, mothers/fathers answered a questionnaire about demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The relationship between the presence of anemia and independent variables were analyzed by regression. The diet intake of children was assessed through 24-hour recall and from the menu offered weekly in day cares. The hemoglobin concentration was determined by Hemocue (capillary blood) and automatic counter (venous blood) for comparison of methods. The observed anemic children were selected to participate in the intervention trial with iron fortified snacks. Sixty seven preschoolers were randomized between 2 groups and received 3 packages with 30 g of snacks a week. Children were examined at the beginning and at the end of trial (about 100 days) through venous blood. Hemoglobin concentration was used for diagnosis of anemia. Grade I and Grade II iron deficiency was diagnosed by transferrin saturation, mean corpuscular volume and serum ferritin. Results: The prevalence of anemia found in the population was 13.02%. It was observed relationship between age of the child and number of persons in family and the occurrence of anemia. There was no difference in the hemoglobin concentration measured by capillary or venous blood for the children anemic. A significant improvement after the trial was observed in some biochemical parameters: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration, regardless of the snack type consumed and the initial diagnosis. Hemoglobin concentration increased, on average, 0.44 g/dL. The iron consumption remained unchanged before and after the trial and was similar for both groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study show a low prevalence of anemia in the population studied. The consumption of snacks provided a significant increase in the hemoglobin concentration. The advantages and limitations for the use of biochemical parameters have to be considered for the choice of the appropriate method for each situation or goals.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 geraldogasparpaeslemecoutinho_tese.pdf: 842500 bytes, checksum: 91b1a44b745dc90de57400e7ead1e811 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-11-16 / To evaluate the efficacy of iron supplements given at intervals corresponding to the mean life of red blood cells compared to weekly supplementation, in reducing the prevalence of preschool anemia. Method: Ninety-nine children from public day care centers with ages from 24 to 59 months old were randomly divided into two groups. This is a randomized comparative study. All the children received 40 doses of 30 mg of ferrous sulfate during a 10-month intervention period. Group 1 received once weekly supplementation and Group 2 received supplementation in two 5-month cycles, each cycle consisting of one month of supplementation (20 workdays) and four months without supplementation. Results: The prevalence of anemia after the supplementation regimens reduced from 20.20% to 5.05% (p < 0.0005); the reduction was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.35). The mean hemoglobin concentration increased in both groups (Group 1: 0.27 g/dL; p < 0.016 and Group 2: 0.47 g/dL; p < 0.0005) without significant differences between the groups (p = 0.17). Conclusions: The two regimens reduced the prevalence of anemia, were low-cost, and with high rate of compliance. The regimen in cycles was evaluated easier to apply than the weekly one. / Avaliar a eficácia de suplementação com ferro em intervalos correspondentes à vida média das hemácias, comparativamente ao procedimento de suplementação semanal, para redução da prevalência de anemia em crianças pré-escolares. Método: Noventa e nove crianças de creches municipais, com idade variando de 24 a 59 meses, foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O estudo é comparativo randomizado. As crianças dos dois grupos receberam, nas próprias creches, 40 doses de 30 mg de sulfato ferroso durante o mesmo período de intervenção (10 meses). O Grupo 1 recebeu suplementação semanal. O Grupo 2 recebeu suplementação em dois ciclos de cinco meses, cada ciclo com um mês de suplementação diária (20 dias úteis) e quatro meses sem suplementação. Resultados: A prevalência da anemia após suplementação diminuiu significativamente de 20,20% para 5,05% (p<0,0005); a redução não foi significante entre grupos (p=0,35). A concentração média da hemoglobina aumentou nos dois grupos (Grupo 1: 0,27 g/dL (p<0,016) e Grupo 2: 0,47 g/dL (p<0,0005) e não diferiram significativamente entre si (p=0,17). Conclusões: As duas intervenções reduziram significativamente a prevalência de anemia, foram de baixo custo e alta adesão, mas os dados mostraram uma maior facilidade na administração e controle das doses com o procedimento em ciclos..

La mémoire de travail est un composant essentiel de la pensée qui est fortement impliquée dans les apprentissages et la réussite scolaires. Pourtant, elle est rarement étudiée chez l’enfant d’âge préscolaire, du fait notamment d’un manque de paradigmes adaptés. Cette thèse visait donc à étudier le fonctionnement de la mémoire de travail chez cette population, soit entre 2 et 6 ans. Pour cela, deux paradigmes originaux ont été utilisés. Ils ont été conçus pour être proches de situations de jeux, propices à aider le jeune enfant à focaliser son attention sur la tâche. Ainsi, il a tout d’abord été montré que les performances de rappel diminuaient au fil du temps, et ce, même en l’absence de tâche interférente. Les enfants de cette tranche d’âge opèrent donc un maintien passif de l’information, i.e. sans mise en œuvre spontanée de stratégie de maintien de l’information. De plus, le déclin de l’information était similaire au travers de l’âge. Pour la première fois, il a donc été mis en évidence que la vitesse d’oubli de l’information ne variait pas entre 2 et 6 ans. Finalement, aucun de ces deux facteurs, i.e. mise en œuvre de stratégie de maintien de l’information et modification de la vitesse d’oubli de l’information, ne peut être avancé pour expliquer l’augmentation des capacités mémorielles entre 2 et 6 ans. Ensuite, il a été montré que les caractéristiques intrinsèques de la tâche pouvaient conduire à une amélioration des performances de rappel, peut-être par la mise en œuvre d’une stratégie de maintien. Notamment, la réalisation d’une activité motrice, i.e. marche durant le délai de rétention, a permis à ces jeunes enfants de contrecarrer dans une certaine mesure l’oubli temporel de l’information. La mise en œuvre d’une activité motrice, en dirigeant l’attention du jeune enfant vers un indice visuel du but à atteindre, aiderait celui-ci à maintenir le but de la tâche en mémoire. Les ressources attentionnelles ainsi dégagées pourraient être mises au service d’une amélioration des performances de rappel, peut-être par la mise en œuvre d’une stratégie de maintien. / Working memory is an essential component of thought that is highly involved in learning and academic achievement. However, it is rarely studied in preschoolers, mainly because of a lack of suitable paradigms. Therefore, this thesis investigated the functioning of working memory in children between 2 and 6 years. For this purpose, two original paradigms were used. They were designed to be close to game situations which should help young children to focus their attention on the task. Firstly it was shown that the recall performance decreased over time, even in the absence of an interfering task. Children of this age therefore use a passive maintenance, i.e. without spontaneously implementing any strategy of maintenance. Furthermore, the decline of the information was similar through age. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that the rate of information forgetting did not vary between 2 and 6. Finally, none of these two factors, i.e. implementation of a strategy of maintenance and change in the speed of forgetting can explain the increase in memory capacity between 2 and 6 years of age. Secondly, it has been shown that the intrinsic characteristics of the task could lead to improved recall performance, perhaps by inducing a strategy of maintenance. Particularly, the implementation of a motor activity, i.e. walking during the retention period, has enabled these young children to counteract to some extent the temporal decay of information. Then, the implementation of a motor activity, by directing the attention of young children to a visual cue related to the goal of the task, help them to maintain in memory the purpose of the task. Attentional resources could be harnessed to improve performance of recall, perhaps by implementing a retention strategy.

Aim: The aim of this project was to find the level of oral health literacy of parents of preschool age children regarding their child’s oral health. The primary objective was to improve the oral health status of preschoolers and to prevent early childhood caries. Methods: 117 participants (parents of preschoolers) completed a self-administered oral health literacy questionnaire. Data obtained from the study was analysed using a statistical package (SPSS). Firstly, descriptive analysis was undertaken generating tables and graphs of sociodemographic variables. Later, associations between oral health literacy and sociodemographic variables were identified and also relation between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation in Christchurch was identified using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Psychometric analysis was generated to test validity and reliability of the oral health literacy questionnaire. Results: In the total sample, 38% of participants had poor oral health literacy regarding their child’s oral health. The results also indicated that there were associations present between parents’ oral health literacy and socio-demographic variables such as ethnicity, education and family income. Nearly half of the parents opted for water fluoridation in Christchurch. A strong association between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation was identified. In the total sample, 40% of parents were not aware of need for first dental visit before the school age. Reliability was good for the developed oral health literacy instrument. Conclusions: This study of parents’ oral health literacy in Christchurch, New Zealand identified association of oral health literacy and socio-demographic variables which gives future guidance to improving oral health status of New Zealand children. The relation 6 between parents’ oral health literacy and their attitude towards water fluoridation was shown in this study. This result might be used in future water fluoridation surveys. Future studies are needed to examine health care provider’s perspective in improving parents’ oral health literacy and to tailor more effective public health interventions to improve parents’ oral health literacy.