Children Receiving a Nutrition and High-Quality Early Childhood Education Intervention Are Associated with Greater Math and Fluid Intelligence Scores: The Guatemala City Municipal Nurseries.

Background: About 47% of children < 5 years of age are stunted in Guatemala. In this study, the investigators aimed to compare growth and cognitive outcomes between children in second grade that attended five Guatemala City Municipal Nurseries (GCMN) vs. same sex, grade, and age-matched children. Methods: A cross-sectional design nested in a retrospective cohort was implemented between 2015 and 2019. Children that attended the GCMN and matched controls completed a math test and validated receptive language and fluid intelligence tests. The primary caregivers completed a sociodemographic survey. General and generalized linear mixed effect models were used to compare children that attended the GCMN vs. controls. The models were adjusted by maternal education, sex, asset score, and other relevant covariates. Results: Children that attended the GCMN exhibited greater math and fluid intelligence scores relative to the controls in the adjusted models (ß = 6.48; 95% CI (2.35−10.61)) and (ß = 1.20; 95% CI (0.12−2.29)), respectively. Lower odds of stunting were significant for children who went to any early childcare institution (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI (0.09−0.89)). Conclusions: The importance of integrating nutrition and high-quality early childhood education interventions in cognitive and growth outcomes is highlighted in this study. The GCMN model may be a scalable model in similar low-resource settings.

Development and validation of the environment characterization inventory for early education / Desenvolvimento e validação do inventário de caracterização de ambientes para a educação inicial / Desarrollo y validación del inventario de caracterización de ambientes para educación inicial

In this study, the Environment Characterization Inventory for Early Education (INCA-EI) psychometric properties and the effect of socioeconomic context and type of institution on the quality of environments were assessed. One hundred forty-two early education classrooms were evaluated. The analysis of Unidimensionality for the Structure Dimension and the CFA for the Process Dimension showed a good fit of the items to the Structure sub-dimensions (p > .05; CFI > .90; RMSEA < .08) and validated the organization of three correlated factors in the Process sub-dimensions (χ2=323.82; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.96; TLI=.96). The instrument presents good internal consistency values (α=.88; ω=.93) and moderate to considerable agreements in most scores in the inter-rater reliability analysis (ICC=.80). Differences are presented between the quality of the environment of schools and kindergartens and Institutions of different socioeconomic contexts. The results show that INCA-EI is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating environments in early education, which can be used for research purposes and monitoring of public policies.

Neste estudo, foram avaliadas as propriedades psicométricas do Inventário de Caracterização de Ambientes para a Educação Inicial (INCA-EI) e o efeito do contexto socioeconômico e do tipo de instituição na qualidade dos ambientes. Foram avaliadas 142 salas de aula de educação inicial. A análise da Unidimensionalidade para a Dimensão Estrutura e a AFC para a Dimensão Processo mostraram um bom ajuste dos itens às subdimensões da Estrutura (p>.05; CFI >.90; RMSEA<.08), validando a organização de três fatores correlacionados nas subdimensões do Processo (χ2=323.82; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.96; TLI=.96). O instrumento apresenta bons valores de consistência interna (α =.88; ω =.93) e acordos moderados e consideráveis na maioria das pontuações no acordo entre juízes (ICC=.80). São apresentadas diferenças entre a qualidade do ambiente de escolas entre jardins e instituições de diferentes contextos socioeconômicos. Os resultados mostram que o INCA-EI constitui um instrumento válido e confiável para avaliação de ambientes na educação inicial, que pode ser utilizado para fins de pesquisa e monitoramento de políticas públicas.

En este estudio se evaluaron las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Caracterización de Ambientes para Educación Inicial (INCA-EI), y el efecto del contexto socioeconómico y tipo de institución en la calidad de ambientes. Fueron evaluadas 142 aulas de educación inicial. El análisis de Unidimensionalidad para la Dimensión Estructura y el AFC para Dimensión Proceso mostró buen ajuste de los ítems a las subdimensiones de Estructura (p>.05; CFI >.90; RMSEA<.08), validando la organización de tres factores correlacionados en las subdimensiones de Proceso (χ2=323.82; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.96; TLI=.96). El instrumento presenta buenos valores de consistencia interna (α =.88; ω =.93), y acuerdos moderados y considerables en la mayoría de puntuaciones en el acuerdo interjueces (CCI=.80). Se presentan diferencias entre la calidad de ambiente de Escuelas y Jardines e Instituciones de diferentes contextos socioeconómicos. Los resultados muestran que el INCA-EI constituye un instrumento válido y confiable para la evaluación de ambientes en educación inicial, que puede ser utilizado con fines investigativos y monitoreo de políticas públicas.

Asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el Programa de Estancias Infantiles para niños en situación de pobreza y el nivel de desarrollo infantil / Association between time of permanence at early education program (Estancias Infantiles) and developmental level for children in situation of poverty

Resumen: Introducción: El Programa de Estancias Infantiles (PEI) se enfoca en padres de niños de 1-3 años en situación de pobreza. Incluye educación y cuidado de los niños por 8 h, 5 días por semana. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el PEI y el nivel de desarrollo infantil. Métodos: Estudio transversal de base poblacional en dos estados de México. Se incluyeron todos los niños de 12-48 meses inscritos al PEI de noviembre de 2014 a enero de 2015. Se evaluó el nivel de desarrollo con la prueba EDI. Se calculó la razón de momios de prevalencia (RMP) para desarrollo normal por tiempo de estancia, ajustado por sexo, edad y discapacidad, teniendo como referencia a los niños que tenían < 30 días en el PEI. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3387 niños de 177 estancias infantiles: 53% de sexo masculino; 22.3% de 12-24 meses, 37.6% de 25-36 meses y 40.1% de 37-42 meses de edad. El RMP ajustado para desarrollo normal fue de 1.90 (IC95%:1.30-2.78) para 6-11 meses, 2.36 (IC95%:1.60-3.50) para 12-17 meses, 2.78 (IC95%:1.65-4.65) para 18-23 meses y 3.46 (2.13-5.60) para > 24 meses. Por área de desarrollo, se observó una mayor probabilidad de desarrollo normal a partir de 6 meses de estancia para lenguaje y social, y a partir de 12 meses para motor grueso, fino y conocimiento. Conclusiones: El tiempo de permanencia en el PEI a partir de 6 meses incrementa, de forma significativa y progresiva, la probabilidad de tener un desarrollo normal independiente del sexo y edad.

Abstract: Background: Early education program (EEP) was created to support parents with 1 to 3 year olds living in poverty situation in Mexico, and includes education and child daycare for 8 h five days per week. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between length of stay in EEP and the level of development in children. Methods: Cross sectional, population-based study conducted in two Mexican states. All children aged between 12 to 48 months enrolled in EEP from November 2014 to January 2015 were included. Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test was used to screen early development in every child. Normal early development prevalence odds ratio (OR) was calculated adjusted by gender, impairment and state, using as a reference those children with less than 30 days in the program. Results: The study included 3,387 children from 177 EEP nurseries, from which 53% were male; age by group was divided in 12-24 months (22.3%), 25-36 months (37.6%) and 37-42 months (40.1%). Normal development adjusted OR by age was 1.9 (CI95%: 1.30-2.78) for 6-11 months, 2.36 (CI95%: 1.60-3.50) for 12-17 months, 2.78 (CI95%: 1.65-4.65) for 18-23 months and 3.46 (CI95%: 2.13-5.60) for >24 months. By area of development, a greater probability of having a normal result for language and social areas was observed after 6 months in the program, and for motor (both gross and fine) and knowledge areas after 12 months. Conclusion: The length of the stay in the EEP after 6 months significantly and progressively increases the probability of normal development regardless of gender and age.

[Association between time of permanence at early education program (Estancias Infantiles) and developmental level for children in situation of poverty]. / Asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el Programa de Estancias Infantiles para niños en situación de pobreza y el nivel de desarrollo infantil.

BACKGROUND: Early education program (EEP) was created to support parents with 1 to 3 year olds living in poverty situation in Mexico, and includes education and child daycare for 8h five days per week. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between length of stay in EEP and the level of development in children. METHODS: Cross sectional, population-based study conducted in two Mexican states. All children aged between 12 to 48 months enrolled in EEP from November 2014 to January 2015 were included. Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test was used to screen early development in every child. Normal early development prevalence odds ratio (OR) was calculated adjusted by gender, impairment and state, using as a reference those children with less than 30 days in the program. RESULTS: The study included 3,387 children from 177 EEP nurseries, from which 53% were male; age by group was divided in 12-24 months (22.3%), 25-36 months (37.6%) and 37-42 months (40.1%). Normal development adjusted OR by age was 1.9 (CI95%: 1.30-2.78) for 6-11 months, 2.36 (CI95%: 1.60-3.50) for 12-17 months, 2.78 (CI95%: 1.65-4.65) for 18-23 months and 3.46 (CI95%: 2.13-5.60) for >24 months. By area of development, a greater probability of having a normal result for language and social areas was observed after 6 months in the program, and for motor (both gross and fine) and knowledge areas after 12 months. CONCLUSION: The length of the stay in the EEP after 6 months significantly and progressively increases the probability of normal development regardless of gender and age.

Liderança e gestão democrática na educação infantil / Leadership and democratic management in early education

A experiência profissional dos gestores é fator influente na qualidade do atendimento na educação infantil. Esse estudo teve como objetivos realizar uma breve revisão bibliográfica da gestão da educação infantil no Brasil e analisar a práxis de formação continuada desenvolvida junto a gestores dos Centros Municipais de Educação Infantil (CMEIs). Participaram do estudo 180 gestores, todos do sexo feminino, em duas fases, no período de um ano letivo. Utilizou-se da metodologia da pesquisa-ação colaborativa e foram realizadas reuniões em grupos no Centro de Formação Continuada da Secretaria Municipal de Educação, divididos por núcleos regionais, com a apresentação e a discussão coletiva dos projetos realizados nos CMEIs. Os resultados indicaram que a gestão democrática na educação infantil demanda a compreensão da criança pequena como cidadão de direitos, bem como a própria concepção de gestão democrática. A educação infantil tem peculiaridades importantes, como organização do ambiente e planejamento das práticas educativas, incluindo o cuidado de rotinas. A revisão bibliográfica apontou para escassez na produção nacional específica de gestão educacional na educação infantil e múltiplas compreensões do significado de gestão democrática. Conclui-se que tem ocorrido avanços no campo da gestão democrática e que a participação da comunidade contribui para a transparência das decisões tomadas, mas ainda necessita ampliar o conceito de autonomia, bem como a participação das crianças. A superficialidade do conhecimento teórico sobre gestão democrática demanda formação continuada dos gestores e o permanente abandono do improviso no exercício da função.

The professional experience of school managers is an influential factor in the quality of care in children's education. Objectives of this study: to carry out a brief bibliographical review of the management of early childhood education in Brazil and to analyze the praxis of continued-education developed with pedagogical teams of the Municipal Centers for Early Childhood Education (CMEI). A total of 180 female managers participated in the study; In two phases, in the period of one academic year. The method used was the Collaborative Action Research Methodolog; Meetings were held in groups at the Center for Continuing Education of the Municipal Education Department, divided by regional centers with the presentation and collective discussion of the projects carried out at the CMEI's. The results indicated that democratic management in early childhood education demands the understanding of the young child as a citizen of rights as well as the conception of democratic management. The early childhood education has important peculiarities such as organization of the environment and planning of routines. The literature review pointed to scarcity in the specific national production of educational management in early childhood education and multiple understandings of the meaning of democratic management. It is concluded that there have been advances in the field of democratic management, and that community participation contributes to the transparency of decisions taken, but still needs to expand the concept of autonomy as well as the participation of children. The superficiality of the theoretical knowledge about democratic management demands continuous formation of the managers and the permanent abandonment of the subterfuges in the exercise of educational function.

Desafios do ensino na educação Infantil: perspectiva de professores / Challenges of early education teaching: teachers' perspectives

Esta pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória investiga o tipo de conhecimento e o perfil necessário para atuação de professores na Educação Infantil, na perspectiva de professores que atuam nesse segmento. Foram entrevistados 17 professores (10 de escolas particulares e 7 de escolas públicas). Os participantes enfatizam o conhecimento sobre a criança em geral e especificamente sobre o seu desenvolvimento como aspectos fundamentais norteadores da qualidade do trabalho realizado. Consideram também o brincar um recurso pedagógico como outro aspecto importante. Ao lado disso, subjacente, há uma conduta de trabalho que privilegia as relações afetivas como base para toda a ação pedagógica. Quanto ao perfil, os respondentes consideram o gostar de crianças como requisito fundamental. Tal visão de Educação Infantil ajuda a consolidar antigos estereótipos (ex. profissão feminina, materna, sem necessidade de formação específica) que prejudicam a profissionalização do segmento.

This qualitative, exploratory research investigates the type of knowledge, as well as the profile necessary for early education teachers in the perspective of the teachers who work with that segment. Using semi-structured interview, 17 participants (10 from private and 7 from state schools) were interviewed at length. Participants emphasize knowledge about children in general and particularly about their developmental phases as fundamental aspects which orientate the quality of the work undertaken. They also consider playing as pedagogical resource as an important learning device. Notwithstanding, underneath to all of this is a working practice that privileges affective relationships as a base from which all pedagogical action should be built up. Concerning the profile, respondents consider the loving of children as fundamental requisites. Such view of early education helps consolidating old stereotypes associated to the profession (eg. female profession, motherhood) which disturb the professional development of the segment.

Desafios do ensino na Educação Infantil: perspectiva de professores / Challenges of early education teaching: Teachers' perspectives

Esta pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória investiga o tipo de conhecimento e o perfil necessário para atuação de professores na Educação Infantil, na perspectiva de professores que atuam nesse segmento. Foram entrevistados 17 professores (10 de escolas particulares e 7 de escolas públicas). Os participantes enfatizam o conhecimento sobre a criança em geral e especificamente sobre o seu desenvolvimento como aspectos fundamentais norteadores da qualidade do trabalho realizado. Consideram também o brincar um recurso pedagógico como outro aspecto importante. Ao lado disso, subjacente, há uma conduta de trabalho que privilegia as relações afetivas como base para toda a ação pedagógica. Quanto ao perfil, os respondentes consideram o gostar de crianças como requisito fundamental. Tal visão de Educação Infantil ajuda a consolidar antigos estereótipos (ex. profissão feminina, materna, sem necessidade de formação específica) que prejudicam a profissionalização do segmento(AU)

This qualitative, exploratory research investigates the type of knowledge, as well as the profile necessary for early education teachers in the perspective of the teachers who work with that segment. Using semi-structured interview, 17 participants (10 from private and 7 from state schools) were interviewed at length. Participants emphasize knowledge about children in general and particularly about their developmental phases as fundamental aspects which orientate the quality of the work undertaken. They also consider playing as pedagogical resource as an important learning device. Notwithstanding, underneath to all of this is a working practice that privileges affective relationships as a base from which all pedagogical action should be built up. Concerning the profile, respondents consider the loving of children as fundamental requisites. Such view of early education helps consolidating old stereotypes associated to the profession (eg. female profession, motherhood) which disturb the professional development of the segment(AU)