Handwriting is vital for academic success, yet many children with specific learning disorders struggle with it. This study examined handwriting challenges in Malaysian primary schools through teachers’ lived experiences. Using a phenomenological design, seven teachers from a special education program in Pulau Pinang were interviewed. Thematic analysis highlighted three subthemes: students’ handwriting difficulties, lack of parental support at home, and the impact of these challenges on learning. Findings emphasise the need for tailored interventions and stronger home-school collaboration to improve handwriting outcomes and promote educational inclusion for children with specific learning disorders.
Muhammad Azwan Azri, Rofiza Aboo Bakar, Muhammad Radhi Rahimi Abu Bakar
School feeding interventions play an essential role in enhancing food security, child nutrition and learning outcomes of primary school children. But malnutrition is still a serious problem in many developing parts of the world where these programs are implemented, and the effectiveness of these programs should be assessed. The overall objective of this study was to assess the effects of school feeding program on nutritional status of primary school children and to compare the nutritional status of the beneficiaries and the non-beneficiaries. The study design used was cross sectional comparative. The data were collected using questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI) and school records. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to analyse nutrition indicators including stunting, wasting, prevalence of underweight and dietary diversity indicators. It turned out that the children who have received school feeding programs had better BMI, higher dietary diversity, and lower prevalence of underweight and stunting than the non-school feeding recipients. It was also found that students benefiting from the program had better attendance and better concentration in the class. The study concludes that the school feeding programme has a notable impact on nutritional and learning outcomes and that these initiatives should be enhanced by the quality of the food served and the way they can be sustainably rolled out.
Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of telerehabilitation (TR) in school-based Occupational Therapy (OT) for children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), focusing on occupational competence and parental satisfaction, aiming to contribute empirical insights to the discourse on the educational well-being of this population. Materials & Methods: The study adopted a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design involving 31 children diagnosed with SLD, implementing TR and in-person interventions alongside a control group. Outcome measures included the School Self-Concept Inventory, Child Occupational Self-Assessment (COSA), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement (COMP), analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, post hoc tests). Results: Both TR and in-person interventions exhibited significant enhancements in academic self-efficacy (F=23.96, p<0.001, Partial ȵ²=0.461), occupational competence (F=70.59, p<0.001, Partial ȵ²=0.716), and parent satisfaction (F=17.03, p<0.001, Partial ȵ²=0.378) compared to the control group. Notably, no significant differences emerged between the TR and in-person groups, emphasizing their comparable effectiveness in improving outcomes. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study demonstrated the efficacy of TR and in-person interventions in school-based OT for children with SLD. The cohesive outcomes in academic self-efficacy, occupational competence, and parental satisfaction highlight TR as a versatile modality. This research, grounded in robust methodology, encourages further exploration of TR's transformative role in enhancing the holistic well-being of children with SLDs.
Mahsa Kheirollahzadeh, Akram Azad, Seyed Hassan Saneii et al.
Physics learning at the junior high school level still faces challenges, including the use of conventional learning methods that make students passive and have difficulty understanding abstract concepts. This study aimed to improve students’ cognitive learning outcomes on work and energy materials through the utilization of Mechanics KIT using the Children Learning in Science (CLIS) learning model. This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental method with a posttest-only control group design. The participants were 73 eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri 20 Pekanbaru, consisting of an experimental class and a control class. Data were collected using a 20-item multiple-choice cognitive learning outcome test and analyzed using descriptive statistics and an independent-samples t-test. The experimental class achieved a higher average cognitive learning outcome score (80.13) than the control class (71.45). The independent-samples t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.000 < 0.05). The findings indicate that Mechanics KIT combined with the CLIS model encourages students to actively participate in experiments, discuss concepts, and connect learning with real phenomena. The utilization of Mechanics KIT through the CLIS learning model significantly improves the cognitive learning outcomes of eighth-grade students on work and energy materials.
Statement of Problem: Architectural issues have various aspects, and creatively responding to such issues is an important criterion in evaluating quality of architectural works, thus seeking effective factors on these aspects is of special importance for prompting quality of responding to architectural issues. Nowadays, participatory architecture is a general approach which focuses on involving individuals and specialists in process of designing. In this regard, observing children’s civil rights aiming at obtaining a mutual understanding between child and designer is considered as main focus of designers to children in processes of participatory designing while frequently ignoring abilities of children’s system in areas of idea development and designing. Therefore, using abilities of children’s system in creating architectural works and its conditions is main issue in this regard.Research Question: How are theoretical foundations of effectiveness of explained in improving quality of responding to architectural issues?Research Objectives: The current study aims at introducing a new aspect of beyond general perspective of research so far conducted in this area while considering fundamental concepts in area of children thinking.Research Method: This research applies a qualitative, fundamental, and descriptive- analysis based method in addition to seven-step meta-synthesis method by Sandelowski and Barrosos. The study results indicated that architecture-child participatory thinking can be introduced as a new architect-child participation method. In this new method, product of is developed based on architecture-child interactive thinking, and role of children is upgraded from respondent to the main thinker. During design process, children make creative comments alongside architect and architect simply standardizes end product.
Behnam Behnia, Mehran Kheirollahi, Mahdi Sahragard et al.
Abstract Review studies of the father’s role in child care and father involvement, attitudes, and values associated with it, and strategies for promoting their participation. This review aims to analyze fathers’ involvement in child care and father behavior, as well as associated values and strategies for development. To study the father-child connection and factors such as the child’s social behavior, academic performance, and health-related psychological factors. They are more sensitive, loving, and encouraging toward their young children. When it comes to their young children, they are more receptive, affectionate, and assured. They are also better at maintaining their composure when dealing with rebellious toddlers. A child’s emotional and social development is significantly influenced by how fathers cooperate with their children through play. Compared to mothers, fathers spend a far larger volume of their one-on-one time with infants and preschoolers engaging in stimulating play activities. PubMed and Google Scholar Searches were conducted using Medical Subject Headings terms and related keywords. This study examined the various reviews on the relationship between the roles of fathers in childcare and the factors that may influence the same. Traditional gender norms in child care influence the group of people’s images of fathers’ obligation and serve as a barrier to their involvement in the community. In most populations, fathers can support their families financially. They act as positive role models for their children, defend their families from harm, and exercise control over their wives, children, and other family members. Fathers may provide for and nurture their children. Fathers play and teach their children alone or hold them when their mothers are busy. Interventions focused on improving fathers’ and mothers ideas and attitudes about child care, and the relevance of shared childcare duties may improve fathers’ engagement. Fathers’ participation has various impacts on the child’s healthy development of character, social skills, understanding, intellect, academic achievement, gender roles, morality, and emotion. Fathers’ participation in childcare is affected by family and society, and fathers’ personalities affect children’s personalities to some extent. Father involvement, results also revealed that father involvement was low in childcare responsibilities only; however, other subareas of involvement were high. It was found that especially mothers were responsible as primary caregivers for child care.
The study intended to elaborate on the role of the school committee in addressing and promoting the implementation of the child-friendly school model to create a positive school climate and atmosphere. This qualitative approach research adopted a comparative case study since two primary schools become a unit of research analysis. Two primary schools, a public and private primary school in which both of them are located in Jakarta as a study site. The researchers obtained the data through observation, interviews, and document analysis. The research has revealed that the school committees, both in public and private schools, bring a vital contribution to help the schools in terms of supporting and controlling the implementation of the child-friendly school model with several different perspectives. The participation of the school committee is highly needed in monitoring the activity of the learning process toward the quality of school life and in bridging the communication between schools and students' parents, particularly in promoting the model of child-friendly school.
The process of political socialization carries significant weight in determining the nature of an individual's involvement with the political system. It not only influences the formation of political ideologies and perspectives but also affects their participation in political activities. Ascertaining the various factors that contribute to political socialization is essential in helping policymakers and educators design effective strategies aimed at promoting informed decision-making, civic engagement, and active citizenship among citizens. By understanding the intricate nuances of political socialization, policymakers can make informed decisions that positively impact the political landscape. (Matthews 2003) The study endeavors to explore the intricate dynamics of political socialization and engagement among adolescent children. More specifically, the study aims to identify the key agents that influence the socialization process of young individuals and to examine the extent to which child-friendly governance philosophy can foster their participation in political activities. As such, this research project seeks to expand our understanding of the factors that shape the political attitudes and behaviors of young people, while also highlighting the crucial role that governance structures and policies can play in promoting civic engagement and democratic values among future generations. (Verba and Nie 1987) Kerala, a state in southern India, is renowned for its decentralized development model that emphasizes grassroots democracy. This study investigates how local self-government bodies in the state handle child participation in politics. The study strives to understand the theme child child-friendly local governance which places children at focus in the governmental arena. The study is of quantitative and qualitative nature. A survey based on a structured questionnaire was conducted among children who belong to the schools of the Idukki district in Kerala.
Participation (deelneming) is a concept that includes various forms of participation from individuals or groups, both in mental and physical aspects, who are involved in carrying out certain actions that lead to the occurrence of a criminal offense. This study aims to analyze the punishment of perpetrators of participation (deelneming) in the crime of mistreatment of children, with a focus on Decision Number 4/Pid.Sus-Anak/2023/PN Jkt.Sel. The method used is a normative juridical approach, which examines the application of law and the theory of participation in the context of juvenile criminal law. The results showed that AG, as a child involved in the act, had fulfilled the elements of the crime of aggravated maltreatment that was premeditated, although he did not directly commit physical acts. The judge's consideration in handing down the verdict reflected attention to the age of the perpetrator as well as the principle of rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system. The prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months in LPKA reflects efforts to provide a deterrent effect as well as rehabilitation. This research recommends an increased understanding among law enforcers of the theory of inclusion and legal protection for children so that it can be applied fairly and effectively.
May Pranita Aritonang, July Esther, Lesson Sihotang
The realisation of children’s rights is a pressing global concern, with millions of children globally experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child urges states to respect, promote and fulfil children’s rights in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This paper details insights shared by leading children’s rights advocates at LAWASIA’s webinar, ‘Children and Young People’s Human Rights in Today’s World.’ In this webinar Dr Holly Doel-Mackaway (Children’s Rights Academic and Expert Counsellor, Human Rights Committee, LAWASIA) spoke with three leading children’s rights experts Mikiko Otani (Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child), Sharmila Sekaran (Co-Founder of Voice of the Children, Malaysia) and Rukmini Banerji (Chief Executive Officer of Pratham Education Foundation, India) about the status of children’s and young people’s human rights across the world today. Speakers identified key children’s rights challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region including grave violations of girls’ rights, the impacts of growing inequality and poverty on children, children’s participation, child marriage and other forms of abuse and exploitation, education equity and climate justice.
Holly Doel-Mackaway, Mikiko Otani, Sharmila Sekaran et al.
