Segregación escolar del alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales en Educación Infantil en el contexto local / School segregation of students with special educational needs in Early Childhood Education in the local context

Esta investigación busca profundizar en la segregación escolar del alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales del segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil estimando su magnitud, determinando la incidencia de la titularidad del centro y de su adscripción al Programa Bilingüe y describiendo su evolución. Para ello, se realiza un estudio ex post facto con datos de los 10.182 estudiantes del segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil matriculados en alguno de los 77 centros ordinarios públicos y privados-concertados situados en dos ciudades de tamaño medio-grande de la Comunidad de Madrid. Los resultados indican que la magnitud de la segregación escolar está en torno al 0.20 (ISG); que la incidencia de la titularidad es baja (4.6 %), pero es alta la del Programa Bilingüe (17.2 % de promedio); y que la segregación ha descendido ligeramente en los últimos años, pero las diferencias entre centros atendiendo a su titularidad y adscripción al Programa Bilingüe han crecido. Con ello, se concluye que hay que prestar atención a la segregación en Educación Infantil y tomar medidas para combatirla. También se destaca la necesidad de replantear el Programa Bilingüe por su incidencia en la segregación escolar. (AU)

This research aims to explore the school segregation of students with special educational needs in the second cycle of Early Childhood Education by estimating its magnitude, determining the incidence of school ownership and affiliation to the Bilingual Program, and describing its evolution. To achieve this, we conduct an ex post facto study with data from the 10,182 students enrolled in one of the 77 public and private-subsidised schools in the Community of Madrid. The results indicate that the magnitude of school segregation is around 0.20 (ISG); that the incidence of school ownership is low (4.6 %), while the incidence of the Bilingual Program is high (17.2 % on average); and that segregation has slightly decreased in recent years, however the differences between schools based on ownership and affiliation to the Bilingual Program have increased. Therefore, we conclude that it is necessary to address segregation in Early Childhood Education and that measures need to be taken to combat it. We also highlight the importance of reconsidering the Bilingual Program due to its impact on school segregation. (AU)

The Association Between Early Childhood Education Professionals' Perception of Workplace Spirituality and Their Intention to Stay in Their Current Program.

Turnover in the US early childhood education (ECE) workforce is associated with worse outcomes for children. Greater workplace spirituality, or the perception of meaningful work, sense of community, and alignment with organizational values, is associated with reduced turnover. However, this association has not been examined in ECE professionals. We administered an online survey to 265 ECE professionals in Pennsylvania (US) in the spring of 2021. Respondents were asked about their intention to stay in their current program, if given the option to leave. Workplace spirituality was measured with a 21-item scale assessing the dimensions of meaningful work, sense of community, and alignment with organizational values. The survey was completed by 246 (92.8%), and data were analyzed for 232 respondents. Of these, 94.8% were female, 54.4% were non-Hispanic White, and 70.7% had a bachelor's or graduate degree. The prevalence of intention to stay was 33.2%. After adjusting for all covariates, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, job position, workplace stress, and economic hardships, the prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of intention to stay increased across tertiles of workplace spirituality from low to medium to high: 16.4% (7.9%, 24.9%) to 38.6% (28.4%, 48.8%) to 43.7% (32.1%, 55.3%), respectively. ECE professionals who perceived greater workplace spirituality were more likely to report they intended to stay in their current program. Turnover in the ECE workforce could potentially be reduced through efforts to increase a sense of meaning and community at work and to align the values of ECE programs with those who work in them. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10643-023-01506-7.

Retos para la promoción y garantía de derechos en primera infancia sorda / Challenges for the promotion and guarantee of rights in deaf early childhood

Desde un enfoque de derechos, diferencial y dual, la población sorda es reconocida como sujetos sociales y de especial protección, quienes tienen unas particularidades sociolingüistas y culturales. Sin embargo, la evidencia señala que sus atenciones en el marco de la Ruta Integral de Atenciones se ven limitadas, porque no se implementan políticas que promueven la garantía de derechos, o se desconoce su cultura, sus necesidades y los ajustes razonables/ acciones afirmativas que requieren, para garantizar su inclusión como sujetos plenos de derechos en Colombia. Es por lo que, mediante el presente artículo, se exponen retos que tiene la gestión del INSOR y la responsabilidad de los diferentes sectores, principalmente salud, y/o entidades que trabajan la protección integral de los niños de 0 a 5 años, en la promoción y garantía de derechos para la atención y desarrollo feliz e integral, inclusión familiar y social, en el marco de la Ruta Integral de Atenciones ­ RIA, desde los periodos de preconcepción y gestación de las madres sordas, hasta los niños de 0 meses a 5 años. Se plantea una metodología de enfoque cualitativo y de tipo reflexivo, basada en la analítica e interpretación del autor, recurriendo a fuentes originales e investigaciones fundamentadas por el INSOR en el tema de Primera Infancia Sorda, utilizando la metodología aplicada. Como resultado se pretende hacer evidente la necesidad de una atención diferencial con la población sorda, en los periodos de preconcepción y gestación de mujeres sordas, y niños sordos en la Primera Infancia, que parte de reconocer sus características y particularidades, requiriéndose un acompañamiento para la disminución de barreras por parte de quienes brindan atención en los diferentes entornos, principalmente en el entorno de la salud.

From a rights-based, differential, and dual perspective, the deaf population is recognized as social subjects deserving of special protection, characterized by sociolinguistic and cultural particularities. However, evidence indicates that their care within the framework of the Comprehensive Care Route is limited because policies promoting the guarantee of their rights are not implemented, or their culture, needs, and reasonable adjustments/affirmative actions required for their full inclusion as rights-bearing individuals in Colombia are not well understood. Therefore, through this article, challenges in the management of INSOR (National Institute for the Deaf) and the responsibility of different sectors, primarily healthcare, and entities working on the comprehensive protection of children aged 0 to 5, in promoting and ensuring their rights in care and holistic development, family and social inclusion, within the framework of the Comprehensive Care Route - RIA, from the preconception and gestation periods of deaf mothers to children aged 0 months to 5 years, are outlined. A qualitative and reflective approach methodology is proposed, based on the author's analysis and interpretation, drawing from original sources and research conducted by INSOR on the topic of Deaf Early Childhood, using the applied methodology. The aim is to highlight the need for differential care for the deaf population during the preconception and gestation periods of deaf women and deaf children in early childhood. This approach acknowledges their characteristics and particularities, requiring support to reduce barriers from those providing care in different environments, especially in healthcare settings.

Effectiveness of an Integrated Nutrition Rehabilitation on Growth and Development of Children under Five Post 2018 Earthquake in East Lombok, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: In August 2018 Lombok Island in Indonesia was hit by a 7 Richter scale earthquake. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive nutrition disaster rehabilitation, based on the holistic integrated early child development concept, on the growth and development of children under five. METHODS: A community-based intervention was performed in the East Lombok district; four villages in two sub-districts were randomly allocated into intervention or control groups. Mothers of 6-49-month-old children in the intervention group (n = 240) attended parenting classes (twice weekly) and received shredded fish/liver/anchovy and optimized complementary feeding/food-based recommendations, developed using linear programming. Health staff from the public health center and teachers from early childhood education (ECE) centers delivered parenting sessions on health-nutrition and care-education. The control group (n = 240) received existing health services. Indicators measured at baseline and the end line point were weight, length/height, hemoglobin, feeding practices, psychosocial care (HOME) and maternal stress (SRQ). At the end line point, child development was assessed using BSID-III. RESULTS: At the end line point, maternal stress and child morbidity (cough) were lower and dietary diversity (+1) in 6-23-month-old children, and weight-for-age Z-score (+0.26) and social emotional score (+10 points) in ≥24-month-old children were higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition rehabilitation intervention delivered through ECE centers has a positive effect on the growth and development of children under five in post-disaster conditions.

Kindergarten-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training Enhances Attention and Executive Functioning: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In the present study, we assessed the impact of kindergarten-based progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on attention and executive functioning of 5-6-year-old children. In this randomized-controlled trial, 52 children (26 female; 26 male; M age = 5.4, SD = 0.2 years) from two private Tunisian kindergartens were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Over 12 weeks, 18 children performed PMR in two 30-minute sessions/week, another 17 children performed generic physical education (PE) for two 30-minute sessions/week, and 17 children in a control group (CG) had no systematically guided physical activity and engaged in usual self-chosen activities like free play or artisanal activities during kindergarten hours. Prior to (T0) and after (T1) the 12-week PMR intervention, all participants completed the Visuomotor Precision and Statue subtests of the Neuropsychological Evaluation Battery (NEPSY-2), the Teddy Bear Cancellation Test, and the Rey Simple Figure Test. Although there were no significant group differences at T0, repeated measures analysis of variance revealed higher scores for the PMR group relative to both the PE and CG groups on measures of attention, visuomotor precision, memory, and motor inhibition. PMR provided an effective relaxation technique and enhanced attention and executive functioning of these 5-6-year-old children, with important implications for assisting learning and academic achievement among young children.

Práticas Educativas Inclusivas na Educação Infantil: uma Revisão Integrativa de Literatura / Inclusive Educational Practices in Early Childhood Education: an Integrative Review of the Literature

RESUMO: A Educação Inclusiva preconiza equidade de oportunidades para os alunos em todas as etapas da educação, inclusive na Educação Infantil. O conhecimento e a implementação de práticas com evidências de eficácia no cotidiano escolar podem favorecer a concretização dos princípios da Educação Inclusiva. Assim sendo, o objetivo desta revisão foi analisar, na literatura científica, práticas educativas inclusivas de dimensão processual para a Educação Infantil que apresentam indícios de efetividade e/ou eficácia na última década. Foram consultadas as bases da Biblioteca Eletrônica Científica Online (SciELO), da PsycINFO, do Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) e da Web of Science (WoS) entre 2009 e 2019, em busca de pesquisas empíricas, realizadas no contexto escolar, que descrevessem intervenções diretas com grupos de alunos e que envolvessem crianças público-alvo da Educação Especial. Dos 274 artigos extraídos, foram analisados nove após análise dos critérios de elegibilidade. Os artigos foram classificados quanto ao nível de evidência. Em seguida, as práticas com indícios de efetividade descritas nos artigos foram categorizadas como transversais, antecedentes às atividades, posteriores e realizadas durante as atividades (n=23). Apesar de as práticas analisadas parecerem relativamente simples de serem implementadas no cotidiano escolar, seu conjunto mostra a importância do planejamento, da organização e da condução das atividades escolares, de forma a promover oportunidades concretas para que crianças com alguma deficiência possam desenvolver plenamente seu potencial.

ABSTRACT: Inclusive Education advocates equity of opportunity for all students in all stages of education, including Early Childhood Education. The knowledge and implementation of practices with evidence of efficacy in everyday school life can promote the realization of the principles of Inclusive Education. Thus, the objective of this review was to analyze, in the scientific literature, inclusive educational practices within the process dimension for Early Childhood Education that present evidence of effectiveness and/or efficacy in the last decade. The Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PsycINFO, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) e Web of Science (WoS) were consulted between 2009 and 2019, in search of empirical research, carried out in the school context, describing direct interventions with groups of students and involving the target children of Special Education. From the 274 articles extracted, nine were analyzed after analysis of eligibility criteria. The articles were classified in terms of level of evidence. Next, the practices with evidence of effectiveness described in the articles were categorized as transversal, antecedent to activities, posterior and performed during the activities (n=23). Although the analyzed practices seem relatively simple to be implemented in school routines, as a whole they show the importance of planning, organizing and conducting school activities, in order to promote concrete opportunities for children with any disability to fully develop their potential.

Early Childhood Education and Adult Depression: An Attrition Reanalysis With Inverse Propensity Score Weighting.

In a previous study of the Child-Parent Centers (CPC) education program, preschool participation was linked to a 4.6 percentage point reduction (26%) in depressive symptoms at ages 22-24 over the matched comparison group enrolling the usual programs. The present study reanalyzed these data in the Chicago Longitudinal Study to address potential attrition bias since more than a quarter of the sample was missing on the outcome. Using inverse probability weighting (IPW) involving 32 predictors of sample retention, findings for the 1,142 participants growing up in high-poverty neighborhoods indicated that CPC participation was associated with a 7.1 percentage point reduction (95% CI = [-9.7, -5.4]) in one or more depressive symptoms (39% reduction over the comparison group). Although this marginal effect was within the confidence interval of the original study (95% CI = [-9.5, 0.3]), the 54% increase in the point estimate is substantial and of practical significance, suggesting underestimation in the prior study. Alternative analysis of different predictors and IPW models, including adjustments for program selection and attrition together, yielded similar results. Findings indicate that high-quality early childhood programs continue to be an important strategy for the prevention of depression and its debilitating effects on individuals and families.

Detailing and reflections on occupational therapy in the process of school inclusion / Detalhamento e reflexões sobre a terapia ocupacional no processo de inclusão escolar

Abstract Introduction: Studies show the effectiveness of inclusive actions in educational processes, as well as the need for specialized training of occupational therapists, enabling them for collaborative approaches and actions. Objective: To identify actions developed by occupational therapists in the process of school inclusion of children and teenagers with special educational needs, and think over the context of inclusive education from the presented perspectives. Method: A survey with 18 occupational therapists for data collection. A questionnaire related to school inclusion and professional practice was applied through an on-line platform and a social network. Data gathered were forwarded to qualitative analysis, with descriptive, exploratory analysis for objective questions, and content analysis for the descriptives. Results: The main participants' involvement in school inclusion occurred from their office practice, but 50% of them also assist in regular school. The main method of contribution occurred through assessment, planning and developing inclusion and guidance activities in schools. The participation of family and other professionals in a collaborative approach, the school and teachers lack of preparation to complete the inclusion processes were noteworthy. Conclusion: Study results reassure the importance of occupational therapist's contribution to cope with the challenges and effectiveness of school inclusion. Emphasis is given to the need for greater integration of those professionals in regular school and the importance of expanding the considerations and questions regarding the construction of a more democratic educational system.

Resumo Introdução: Estudos apontam para a efetividade de ações inclusivas relacionadas aos processos escolares, assim como a necessidade de formação especializada para terapeutas ocupacionais, capacitando-os para abordagens e ações colaborativas. Objetivos: Identificar ações desenvolvidas por terapeutas ocupacionais do Estado do Paraná no processo de inclusão escolar de crianças e adolescentes com necessidades educacionais especiais, e refletir sobre o contexto da educação inclusiva, a partir de perspectivas apresentadas. Método: Realizou-se levantamento de dados (survey), com a participação de 18 terapeutas ocupacionais. Aplicou-se questionário relacionado a inclusão escolar e atuação do profissional, com divulgação através de plataforma online e rede social. Submeteram-se os dados coletados à análise qualitativa, com análises exploratórias descritivas nas questões objetivas e de conteúdo, nas descritivas. Resultados: O principal envolvimento dos participantes com a inclusão escolar ocorre a partir de atendimento em ambiente clínico, porém 50% atendem, também, na escola regular. As principais formas de contribuição ocorrem através de avaliação, planejamento e desenvolvimento de atividades relacionadas a processos de inclusão, e de orientações às escolas. Destacam-se a participação da família e de outros profissionais envolvidos, em uma perspectiva colaborativa, e a falta de preparo da escola e dos professores para a efetivação dos processos de inclusão. Conclusão: Os resultados do estudo reafirmam a relevância da contribuição do terapeuta ocupacional para o enfrentamento dos desafios e a concretização da inclusão escolar. Enfatizam-se a necessidade de maior inserção destes profissionais na escola comum do ensino regular e a importância de ampliar as reflexões e problematizações em relação à construção de um sistema educacional mais democrático.

Animal-assisted therapy in early childhood schools in São Paulo, Brazil / Terapia assistida por animais em escolas de educação infantil de São Paulo

Since ancient times, humans and animals have interacted for different purposes. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is used for the assistance and treatment in humans and educational projects where animals are used as co-therapists or co-educators. The use of animals facilitates the process of teaching and learning, and stimulates physical and therapeutic activities. So that knowledge on AAT could be expanded, current study analyzes the opinion of people directly involved in education on AAT implementation as an educational model in early childhood schools in São Paulo, Brazil. Questionnaires were handed out to 10 pedagogical coordinators, 32 teachers, 23 parents and 26 children aged 3-6 years. Results revealed that AAT is not well-known for most interviewees, including pedagogical coordinators, teachers and parents. However, interviewees believe in the benefits of child-pet interactions and are favorable to the implementation of AATs in schools. Projects should be interdisciplinary and must involve professionals from other areas, such as psychologists and veterinarians. Regarding the educational model, interviewees believe in the innovation capacity of AAT and in the possibilities of interdisciplinarity among teachers in the use of animals. Research also demonstrated that children like and support the use of animals in the school.(AU)

Desde a pré-história já existia a interação dos humanos com os animais com diferentes finalidades. A terapia assistida por animais (TAA) é utilizada para assistências e tratamentos em humanos e projetos pedagógicos, na qual os animais são utilizados como co-terapeutas ou co-educadores. O emprego de animais facilita o processo de ensino-aprendizagem e estimula atividades físicas e terapêuticas. Para contribuir com o conhecimento da TAA, o presente trabalho objetivou abordar a opinião de pessoas diretamente relacionadas à escola, a respeito da implantação da TAA, como modelo educacional nas escolas de educação infantil da cidade de São Paulo. Foram aplicados questionários em 10 coordenadores pedagógicos, 32 professores, 23 pais e 26 crianças de 3 a 6 anos de idade. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que a TAA ainda não é bem conhecida por uma parcela dos entrevistados, incluindo coordenadores pedagógicos, professores e pais de alunos. No entanto, os entrevistados acreditam nos benefícios da interação criança-animal e defendem projetos voltados a implantação da TAA nas escolas, embora estes projetos devam ser interdisciplinares e envolver profissionais de outras áreas, tais como, pedagogos, psicólogos e médicos veterinários. Em relação ao modelo educacional, nossos entrevistados acreditam na capacidade inovadora da TAA, assim como, nas possibilidades de interdisciplinaridade entre os professores no uso dos animais. Também ficou demonstrado que as crianças gostam e apoiam o uso de animais na escola.(AU)