The diploma thesis describes the importance of music in the personal development of a younger toddler. The theoretical part deals with an insight into the personality development of the child from the prenatal period to the period of a younger toddler. It also deals with the characteristics of the imprinting and sensitive period in the child's life, the influence of music on the development of the toddler's personality, musical development and the development of musical abilities in this period. It also discusses the importance of a musically stimulating environment for the development of the child's personality and presents artistic themes for early children in an integrated approach. The practical part of the diploma thesis is based on monitoring and evaluating the musical expressions of my son and seven children examined throughout the period of the younger toddler. The aim of this diploma thesis is to monitor the musical development of the younger toddler and the physical, mental and sociological influences that affect the personal development of the toddler through music. As part of the qualitative research, interviews were also conducted with mothers of seven younger toddlers, which serve to supplement the results of monitoring the development of children's music in this period. Furthermore,...

Studien handlar om toddlarnas lek och den undervisningsmiljö som skapas för att främja deras lek, lärande och språkutveckling. Målet med detta arbete är att sprida kunskap kring verksamma förskollärares tankar kring dessa olika aspekter. För att bidra med kunskap kring förskollärares tankar har empirin samlats in med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. I resultatet framkommer att förskollärare uppger att toddlarna leker olika lekar utifrån ålder. Vidare så lyfter förskollärarna fram flertalet olika strategier kopplat till undervisning, språkstimulering och för att främja leken. Resultatet tyder på möjligheter och dilemman kopplat till organisatoriska faktorer samt att jobba i inomhusmiljön respektive utomhusmiljön. Studiens slutsatser är att det finns en stor vilja bland förskollärare att ge barnen förutsättningar till lek, lärande och språkutveckling. Detta trots att vissa känner sig begränsade av organisatoriska faktorer. Med tanke på att toddlarna beskrivs som en heterogen grupp så behöver förskollärarna använda varierade strategier för att främja lek, lärande och språkutveckling. Förskollärare ser det som fördelaktigt att kombinera undervisning och lek men att det då är av vikt att följa barnens intentioner med den. Ytterligare en slutsats är att undervisningsmiljön spelar en avgörande roll för vilka möjligheter till lek och lärande som skapas. Studien visar att det finns en medvetenhet bland verksamma förskollärare om att deras förhållningssätt och ordval påverkar toddlarna. Genom pedagogens ordval planteras idéer hos toddlarna och utifrån detta uppkom studiens namn ”Ååå tack, är det en sallad”. / The study is about the toddlers´ play and the teaching environment that is created to promote their play, learning and language development. The aim of this work is to spread knowledge about active preschool teachers´ thoughts on these various aspects. To contribute knowledge about preschool teachers´ thoughts, the empirical data has been collected with the help of semi-structured interviews. The results show that preschool teachers state that the toddlers play different games based on age. Furthermore, preschool teachers highlight several different strategies linked to teaching, language stimulation and to promote play. The results indicate opportunities and dilemmas linked to organizational factors as well as working indoors and outdoors. The study´s conclusions are that there is a great desire among preschool teachers to give the children the conditions for play, learning and language development. This is despite the fact that some feel limited by organizational factors. Given that toddlers are described as a heterogeneous group, preschool teachers need to use varied strategies to promote play, learning and language development. Preschool teachers see it as advantageous to combine teaching and play, but that it is then important to follow the children´s intentions with it. Another conclusion is that the teaching environment plays a decisive role in which opportunities for play and learning are created. The study shows that there is an awareness among active preschool teachers that their attitude and choice of words affect the toddlers. Through the educator´s choice of words, ideas are planted in the toddlers and based on this, the study´s name came up “Ooo thank you, is it a salad”.

Recent literature has suggested the importance of physical activity in early childhood such as during the toddler years (12 months - 3 years.) Despite this, most toddlers are not physically active. There is a need to determine the types of physical activity programs that would interest toddlers within the settings they spend a significant amount of time in (e.g., childcare center). Currently, data on the feasibility, implementation, and process evaluation of physical activity interventions in toddler age children attending childcare centers is lacking within the literature. Therefore, the purpose of the Toddler Activity Pilot (TAP-A-LONG) study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a four day per week, 10-week physical activity program in toddler aged children during the childcare day. Process evaluation data was collected daily during the entire 10-week study using a semi-structured questionnaire. Once per week on a randomly selected day, toddlers’ physical activity was assessed with accelerometers during the 10-minute intervention session or gross-motor playtime for the treatment and control group, respectively. Accelerometers were also worn for the duration of the full day during baseline, midpoint, and post. Participants were male (58%), white (46%), and lived in a household with married parents (58%). Toddlers’ average age was 25.0 ± 4.2 months. A total of 69.4% of the toddler population was recruited to participate in the study amongst the three participating centers (TAP = 37; CON = 13). During the 10-minute intervention session, toddlers in the treatment group spent 60.4 ± 22.0%, 28.7 ± 15.7%, and 10.9 ± 10.6% of time in sedentary (SED), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), respectively. While control center spent 55.7 ± 18.8%, 35.9 ± 15.1, and 8.4 ± 8.0% in SED, LPA, and MVPA, respectively. For program quality, 76.7% and 62.0% of researcher and provider led intervention sessions were delivered clearly (i.e., directions were understandable to toddlers), respectively. The majority of intervention sessions held toddlers’ attention (60% of toddlers participated in at least half of the intervention). Overall, the high acceptability of our TAP-A-LONG intervention highlights the usefulness of physical activity interventions within the childcare setting.

De nombreuses études empiriques ont démontré que la qualité des comportements maternels et paternels est importante pour le développement de l’enfant. Cependant, peu d’études ont investigué le degré de concordance des comportements de la mère et du père dans des couples intacts ainsi que les antécédents ou déterminants de cette concordance. Le présent mémoire contient un article empirique qui poursuit deux buts. Premièrement, l’article a examiné le niveau de concordance (similarité) entre la qualité des comportements des mères et des pères dans des couples intacts. Deuxièmement, l’article a investigué les antécédents familiaux de la concordance des comportements maternels et paternels: la satisfaction conjugale et le stress parental des mères et des pères. L’étude a été menée auprès de 44 familles intactes (mère-père-enfant). Les résultats indiquent que la concordance mère-père est modérée (r = .31). De plus, un degré significatif de concordance a été trouvé chez les couples dont les partenaires rapportent une satisfaction conjugale élevée ainsi qu’un faible niveau de stress parental, mais pas chez les couples moins bien ajustés. Les implications théoriques et empiriques sont discutées. / There is compelling evidence that the quality of both maternal and paternal parenting behaviour is important for child development. Yet, little is known of the degree of similarity between maternal and paternal parenting behaviour in intact couples, and about the antecedents or determinants of this parental concordance. The present master’s thesis includes an empirical article pursuing two aims. First, the article examined the concordance (similarity) between the quality of maternal and paternal behaviours with their toddler. Second, the article investigated the parental determinants of this concordance: marital satisfaction and parenting stress. The sample included 44 families (mother-father-toddler). Results indicated that the concordance between the quality of maternal and paternal behaviour was moderate (r = .31). Furthermore, significant mother-father concordance was found among more satisfied and less stressed parents, but not among less adjusted parents. The theoretical and empirical implications are discussed.

De nombreuses études empiriques ont démontré que la qualité des comportements maternels et paternels est importante pour le développement de l’enfant. Cependant, peu d’études ont investigué le degré de concordance des comportements de la mère et du père dans des couples intacts ainsi que les antécédents ou déterminants de cette concordance. Le présent mémoire contient un article empirique qui poursuit deux buts. Premièrement, l’article a examiné le niveau de concordance (similarité) entre la qualité des comportements des mères et des pères dans des couples intacts. Deuxièmement, l’article a investigué les antécédents familiaux de la concordance des comportements maternels et paternels: la satisfaction conjugale et le stress parental des mères et des pères. L’étude a été menée auprès de 44 familles intactes (mère-père-enfant). Les résultats indiquent que la concordance mère-père est modérée (r = .31). De plus, un degré significatif de concordance a été trouvé chez les couples dont les partenaires rapportent une satisfaction conjugale élevée ainsi qu’un faible niveau de stress parental, mais pas chez les couples moins bien ajustés. Les implications théoriques et empiriques sont discutées. / There is compelling evidence that the quality of both maternal and paternal parenting behaviour is important for child development. Yet, little is known of the degree of similarity between maternal and paternal parenting behaviour in intact couples, and about the antecedents or determinants of this parental concordance. The present master’s thesis includes an empirical article pursuing two aims. First, the article examined the concordance (similarity) between the quality of maternal and paternal behaviours with their toddler. Second, the article investigated the parental determinants of this concordance: marital satisfaction and parenting stress. The sample included 44 families (mother-father-toddler). Results indicated that the concordance between the quality of maternal and paternal behaviour was moderate (r = .31). Furthermore, significant mother-father concordance was found among more satisfied and less stressed parents, but not among less adjusted parents. The theoretical and empirical implications are discussed.

Communication is vital for humans, and a delay in a child’s communication is not only negative for the individual, but for everyone surrounding them. In Swedish healthcare, communication delays are not always identified during the first important years of a child’s life and that needs to change. Research has shown that early intervention has a greater effect on improving children’s communication. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the ComeAlong Toddler parental course on children’s initiation and response to joint attention, compared to a follow up telephone consultation with a speech and language pathologist. In total, the parents of 38 children with communication delays were enrolled in the study and randomised into two groups. The children were all under 2,5 years old. Data has been collected pre- and post-intervention through an assessment carried out by a speech and language pathologist. These assessments were video recorded and coded for joint attention initiated by the child or adult and measured in seconds as well as the number of times the dyad was in joint attention. The result shows statistical significance in adult initiated joint attention when comparing the two groups. The median shows an increase in joint attention in both groups, with a larger increase in the ComeAlong Toddler group. / Att kunna kommunicera med sin omgivning är ett grundläggande behov hos människan. En störning i kommunikationsutvecklingen är inte bara negativt för individen utan också för alla i personens omgivning. Svårigheter i kommunikation uppmärksammas inte alltid under småbarnsåren. Detta är något som bör förändras, då tidigare forskning har visat att intervention i ett tidigt skede har en bättre effekt på kommunikationsutvecklingen. Syftet med denna uppsats är att jämföra KOMiTID-föräldrautbildning med ett uppföljande rådgivningssamtal via telefon gällande gemensam uppmärksamhet mellan barn och vuxen. I studien ingår 38 barn med kommunikationssvårigheter som randomiserats till två grupper. Samtliga barn var yngre än 2,5 år då studien inleddes. Barnens kommunikation bedömdes av logoped vid två tillfällen, före och efter intervention, med cirka sex månaders mellanrum. Dessa bedömningar har filmats och kodats gällande barn- och vuxeninitierad gemensam uppmärksamhet, mätt i sekunder och antal tillfällen. Resultatet visar en statistisk signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna vid andra bedömningstillfället gällande vuxeninitierad gemensam uppmärksamhet. Medianvärdena visar en ökning i gemensam uppmärksamhet hos båda grupperna. Ökningen är störst hos barnen vars vårdnadshavare deltagit i interventionen KOMiTID.

Objectives: Within the last decade there has been growing emphasis on early diagnosis of autism. It has been proved, that early diagnosis of autism followed by an appropriate intensive intervention lead to the reduction of autistic psychopathology and significant improvement of the child's prognosis. Efforts to identify children at risk of autism as early as possible resulted in the development of many screening tools and some new diagnostic methods that could be used even before the age of two years. Despite many attempts of the researchers worldwide, we still lack general agreement on the optimal screening method. Abnormal sensory symptoms have a specific position among the early signs of autism. Difficulties with sensory processing have been associated with autism since it was first defined as a diagnosis; nevertheless evaluation of sensory symptoms is under-represented in autism screening tools. There has been a long lasting debate whether sensory symptoms are a component of core autistic deficits or a co-morbid phenomenon, however, new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has already included sensory dysfunction among the diagnostic criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Methods: Over 90% of children with autism have sensory abnormalities and present with...

This research is directed at mothers of toddlers in the Frankfort magisterial district. The objective of the study is to determine whether mothers with toddlers display a need for parental guidance. Data have been collected and a theoretical framework has been constructed by means of a literature study and communication with experts. An empirical study has been conducted by involving forty-five mothers (respondents) of toddlers in the Frankfort magisterial district. Scientific and technological knowledge have been acquired by means of applied research. A questionnaire, designed by the researcher, was used to collect data. The following research question was posed: Does a need for parental guidance exist amongst mothers with toddlers in the Frankfort magisterial district? The conclusions and recommendations of the study focus on achieving the objectives and aims. Once the data had been analysed and processed, it became very clear that a need for formal parental guidance does exist amongst mothers in the Frankfort magisterial district. Mothers have indicated a need for additional knowledge and information regarding the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of their toddlers in order to selfpromote aspects of the development of toddlers. Parental guidance modi are under-utilized, and mothers have expressed that factors such as their geographical location, long distances and the inaccessibility of formal parental guidance, prevent them from utilizing parental guidance. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted

The research dealt with the influence that gestalt group therapy may have on the emotional development of deprived toddlers. The research consisted of a literature study and an empirical study. The literature study contains information on groupwork and emotional development of the toddler. The empirical research was conducted by involving six toddlers in a group. They were identified by means of purposive sampling. A pre-test was done with each child to determine their emotional development. After six group sessions of 30 minutes each, a post-test (using the same test as for the pre-test) was done with each child. The pre-test and post-test results were compared with each other. The content of each session were examined and also included in the findings. Empirical data revealed that gestalt group therapy can stimulate the emotional development of deprived toddlers. The conclusion can thus be made that gestalt group therapy can stimulate the emotional development of deprived toddlers. As a result of this study, conclusions and recommendations for future research were formulated. AFRIKAANS : Die ondersoek was daarop gerig om te bepaal of die benutting van gestaltgroepspelterapie die emosionele ontwikkeling van die gedepriveerde kleuter kan stimuleer. Die ondersoek het bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie sowel as empiriese navorsing. Die literatuurstudie is gedoen ten opsigte van groepwerk en die kleuter se emosionele ontwikDie empiriese deel van die ondersoek is uitgevoer deur ses kleuters deur middel van doelgerigte steekproeftrekking by die groep in te sluit. 'n Voortoets om die emosionele ontwikkeling van die kleuters te bepaal, is gedoen. Daarna is ses gestaltgroepwerksessies van 30 minute elk uitgevoer. Dieselfde toets as wat vir die voortoets benut is, is weer aan die kleuters gegee en die resultate is met mekaar vergelyk. Die inligting uit die sessies is ook genoteer en benut. Uit die empiriese gegewens het dit geblyk dat daar wel emosionele ontwikkeling by die kleuters plaasgevind het. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat gestaltgroepspelterapie benut kan word om gedepriveerde kleuters se emosionele ontwikkeling te stimuleer. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing is na aanleiding van die studie geformuleer. keling. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Peter Hiermann: Beschreibung und Evaluation eines niedrigschwelligen Beratungsangebotes für Eltern mit Säuglingen und Kleinkindern an der Universitätskinderklinik Leipzig Universität Leipzig, Publikationsdissertation. Textteil 44 Seiten, einschließlich 3 publizierter Manuskripte und 26 Literaturstellen Regulationsstörungen in den ersten drei Lebensjahren betreffen bis zu einem Fünftel aller Familien mit Säuglingen und Kleinkindern. Es handelt sich um Schwierigkeiten in der Schlaf-Wach-Regulation, chronische Unruhe des Säuglings von Geburt an sowie Fütterinteraktionsstörungen oder exzessives Trotzen in späteren Entwicklungsphasen. Charakteristisch ist die Ansiedlung der Problematik in der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung und der alltäglichen Interaktion, die damit Gegenstand von Diagnostik, Beratung und Therapie ist. Die vorliegende kumulative Dissertation hat sich aus der wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik im Rahmen der Arbeit in der Leipziger „Schreisprechstunde“ der Universitätskinderklinik entwickelt. Im ersten Artikel werden Regulationsstörungen definiert und in ihren Auswirkungen auf Kind und Eltern beschrieben. Im Mittelpunkt steht der interaktionszentrierte Ansatz, der entsprechende Empfehlungen für Diagnostik und Therapie impliziert. Die zweite, zentrale Publikation beschreibt einen zweijährigen Beratungszeitraum, der Daten von 153 Familien einschließt. Neben körperlichem Untersuchungsstatus und ausführlicher Anamnese wurden detailliert Verlauf und Ergebnis der Beratung erfasst. So unterteilt sich die Stichprobe in ca. zwei Drittel Fälle mit unkomplizierten, kurzen Verläufen und etwa einem Fünftel von Fällen, die durch schwierige Verläufe und geringe Beratungserfolge gekennzeichnet sind. Ein Zusammenhang zu Hochrisikokonstellationen in den Familien ist hier festzustellen und wird im Anschluss diskutiert. Der dritte Artikel beleuchtet in Form einer Fallvignette einen Detailausschnitt aus der Beratungsarbeit: Thema sind Teenager-Schwangerschaften, deren Risiken und mögliche Hilfen. In einer Literaturrecherche wird zunächst der aktuelle wissenschaftliche Stand zu diesem Komplex dargestellt. Es folgt eine umfassende Beschreibung der betroffenen Familie mit ausführlichen Interviewtransskriptionen und einer abschließenden Diskussion und Benennung von Empfehlungen für den Umgang mit der genannten Risikokonstellation.