Lärares ledarskap som möjliggörande och begränsande i mötet med ’alla’ barn : En deltagarorienterad studie

The aim of this thesis is to, based on teachers’ experiences, describe and analyse meanings of teachers’ leadership in general, and in relation to children in need of special support in particular. The study was carried out within the tradition of participatory-oriented research, a research circle. The dialogues in the circle were based on the participants’ questions, experiences, interests, and knowledge. The circle included a researcher and nine teachers from the following types of schools: preschool, preschool class, compulsory school, and compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities. The study is based on an understanding of leadership as a relational practice. Leadership is practised in the interaction between teacher and child. Both parties exert influence over the practice of leadership. A central assumption in the study is that knowledge can develop through and in interactions between people, that knowledge and power are connected, and that knowledge and actions are intertwined. Another central assumption is that learning is a complex phenomenon. In the analysis of the research circle’s dialogues, the following meanings of teachers’ leadership emerge: to facilitate learning and discipline, and to promote different interests. The practice of leadership involves teachers handling complex situations in their interactions with ‘all’ children, i.e. children in need of special support and children without such needs. Leadership is practised between teachers and children, and the teachers have to consider the group of children as a collective in relation to the individual children. At the same time, the teachers have to consider their intentions versus what happens during the interactions. In addition, the teachers have to pay heed to the fact that their own actions and the children’s actions influence one another. Finally, the teachers have to consider the individual child’s ‘best interest’ in relation to the requirements of the policy documents. Furthermore, the results indicate that the practice of leadership is perceived as both unpredictable and, to some extent, predictable at the same time, which adds to the complexity of leadership. The teachers cannot know for sure what the children understand or if the children’s actions facilitate learning. However, the teachers can make certain assumptions about how to practice leadership in order to facilitate learning and discipline in children with different needs. The meanings of leadership were expressed in different ways in the circle’s dialogues; both as enabling and limiting in interactions with children in need of special support. One of the study’s conclusions is that leadership seems to be particularly complex in interactions with children in need of special support. The research circle’s dialogues served to promote a democratic knowledge process. The dialogues were characterised by respect for the participants’ different opinions; however, this does not mean that they were free from power structures.

Validação da Versão Portuguesa da Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)

A Depressão na infância e adolescência, tal como na população adulta, é uma das perturbações mentais mais comuns. Uma vez que o seu aparecimento nestas faixas etárias conduz a graves consequências na idade adulta, é fundamental identificar os sintomas depressivos precocemente. Desta forma, os instrumentos de autorrelato têm um papel fundamental, uma vez que permitem com facilidade, de forma fidedigna e válida, ter acesso a formas de pensar, sentir e agir dos sujeitos. O objetivo do presente trabalho consistiu na tradução, adaptação e estudo da Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) (Weissman, Orvash & Padian, 1980) para os adolescentes portugueses. A amostra é constituída por 417 adolescentes, com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 18 anos a frequentar o 3º ciclo do ensino básio e ensino secundário. Para o estudo da validade convergente e divergente da CES-DC, foram utilizados a Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), o Children's Depresssion Inventory (CID) (Marujo, 1994) e a Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) (Marques, Pais-Ribeiro & Lopez, 2007) que avaliam, respetivamente, os estados emocionais negativos (depressão, ansiedade e stress), a sintomatologia depressiva e a satisfação global com a vida. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a escala possui uma boa consistência interna, uma estabilidade temporal adequada, assim como uma boa validade. Sugerem, ainda, tratar-se de uma escala tridimensional: fator humor, fator interpessoal e fator felicidade. Estes dados permitem o avanço da Psicologia, no que diz respeito à avaliação e prática clínica com adolescentes. A utilidade do questionário deve ser verificada noutras faixas etárias, principalmente, nas de menos de 12 anos de idade, e também numa amostra clínica. Não obstante as limitações apontadas, os resultados sugerem que a CES-DC é um questionário útil na avaliação de sintomas depressivos nos adolescentes. / Depression in children and adolescents, as well as in adults, is one of the most common mental disorders. Since its appearance in these age groups leads to serious consequences in adulthood, it is critical to identify depressive symptoms in early stages. Therefore, self-report instruments play a key role in this contexto since they allow to easily, reliably and validly have access to ways the subject thinks, feels and acts. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and study the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) (Weissman, Orvash & Padian, 1980) for portuguese adolescents. The sample consists of 417 adolescents, aged between 12 and 18 years old, attending the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary education schools. To study the convergent and divergent validity of the CES-DC, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used, along with the Children's depression Inventory (CDI) (Sailor, 1994) and the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) (Marques, Pais-Ribeiro & Lopez, 2007) that evaluate, respectively, the negative emotional states (depression, anxiety and stress), depressive symptoms and overall satisfaction with life. The results show that the evaluated scale presents a good internal consistency, an adequate temporal stability as well as good validity. They also suggest that this is a three-dimensional scale: humor factor, interpersonal factor and happiness factor. These data allow for the progress of psychology, regarding the assessment and clinical practice among adolescents. The usefulness of the questionnaire should be verified in other age groups, especially in children with less than 12 years old and in a clinical sample. Despite these limitations, the results suggest that CES-DC is useful in the assessment questionnaire of depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Lärares ledarskap som möjliggörande och begränsande i mötet med ’alla’ barn : En deltagarorienterad studie

The aim of this thesis is to, based on teachers’ experiences, describe and analyse meanings of teachers’ leadership in general, and in relation to children in need of special support in particular. The study was carried out within the tradition of participatory-oriented research, a research circle. The dialogues in the circle were based on the participants’ questions, experiences, interests, and knowledge. The circle included a researcher and nine teachers from the following types of schools: preschool, preschool class, compulsory school, and compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities. The study is based on an understanding of leadership as a relational practice. Leadership is practised in the interaction between teacher and child. Both parties exert influence over the practice of leadership. A central assumption in the study is that knowledge can develop through and in interactions between people, that knowledge and power are connected, and that knowledge and actions are intertwined. Another central assumption is that learning is a complex phenomenon. In the analysis of the research circle’s dialogues, the following meanings of teachers’ leadership emerge: to facilitate learning and discipline, and to promote different interests. The practice of leadership involves teachers handling complex situations in their interactions with ‘all’ children, i.e. children in need of special support and children without such needs. Leadership is practised between teachers and children, and the teachers have to consider the group of children as a collective in relation to the individual children. At the same time, the teachers have to consider their intentions versus what happens during the interactions. In addition, the teachers have to pay heed to the fact that their own actions and the children’s actions influence one another. Finally, the teachers have to consider the individual child’s ‘best interest’ in relation to the requirements of the policy documents. Furthermore, the results indicate that the practice of leadership is perceived as both unpredictable and, to some extent, predictable at the same time, which adds to the complexity of leadership. The teachers cannot know for sure what the children understand or if the children’s actions facilitate learning. However, the teachers can make certain assumptions about how to practice leadership in order to facilitate learning and discipline in children with different needs. The meanings of leadership were expressed in different ways in the circle’s dialogues; both as enabling and limiting in interactions with children in need of special support. One of the study’s conclusions is that leadership seems to be particularly complex in interactions with children in need of special support. The research circle’s dialogues served to promote a democratic knowledge process. The dialogues were characterised by respect for the participants’ different opinions; however, this does not mean that they were free from power structures.

Impact of traumatic dental injuries and malocclusions on quality of life of young children

BACKGROUND The presence of traumatic dental injuries and malocclusions can have a negative impact on quality of life of young children and their parents, affecting their oral health and well-being. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of traumatic dental injuries and anterior malocclusion traits on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of children between 2 and 5 years-old. METHODS Parents of 260 children answered the six domains of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) on their perception of the OHRQoL (outcome). Two calibrated dentists assessed the types of traumatic dental injuries (Kappa = 0.9) and the presence of anterior malocclusion traits (Kappa = 1.0). OHRQoL was measured using the ECOHIS. Poisson regression was used to associate the type of traumatic dental injury and the presence of anterior malocclusion traits to the outcome. RESULTS The presence of anterior malocclusion traits did not show a negative impact on the overall OHRQoL mean or in each domain. Only complicated traumatic dental injuries showed a negative impact on the symptoms (p = 0.005), psychological (p = 0.029), self image/social interaction (p = 0.004) and family function (p = 0.018) domains and on the overall OHRQoL mean score (p = 0.002). The presence of complicated traumatic dental injuries showed an increased negative impact on the children's quality of life (RR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.36, 2.63; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Complicated traumatic dental injuries have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of preschool children and their parents, but anterior malocclusion traits do not.

An Investigation into the Implementation of CYP-IAPT Routine Outcome Measures in their First Year of Integration into Child Psychotherapy Practice

This thesis examines the impact on child and adolescent psychotherapists within CAMHS of the introduction of routine outcome measures (ROMs) associated with the Children and Young People’s Improving access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP-IAPT). All CAMHS therapists working within a particular NHS mental health Trust1 were required to trial CYP-IAPT ROMs as part of their everyday clinical practice from October 2013-September 2014. During this period considerable freedom was allowed as to which of the measures each therapist used and at what frequency. In order to assess the impact of CYP-IAPT ROMs on child psychotherapy, I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight psychotherapists within a particular CAMHS partnership within one NHS Trust. Each statement was coded and grouped according to whether it related to initial (generic) assessment, goal setting / monitoring, monitoring on-going progress, therapeutic alliance, or to issues concerning how data might be used or interpreted by managers and commissioners. Analysis of interviews revealed greatest concern about session-by session ROMs, as these are felt to impact most significantly on psychotherapy; therapists felt that session-by-session ROMs do not take account of negative transference relationships, they are overly repetitive and used to reward / punish the therapist. Measures used at assessment and review were viewed as most compatible with psychotherapy, although often experienced as excessively time consuming. The Goal Based Outcome Measure was generally experienced as compatible with psychotherapy so long as goals are formed collaboratively between therapist and young person. There was considerable anxiety about how data may be (mis)used and (mis)interpreted by managers and commissioners, for example to end treatment prematurely, trigger change of therapist in the face of negative ROMs data, or to damage psychotherapy. Use of ROMs for short term and generic work was experienced as less intrusive and contentious.

Development of Effortful Control as a Moderator of the Longitudinal Relations of Negative Reactivity and Symptoms in Preschool

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Children with intellectual disabilities’ perceptions of their participation in activities in everyday life – a pilot study : A minor field study conducted in Ethiopia

Background: Children with disabilities living in low and middle income countries’ perceptions of participation are not shown in research. These perceptions are important for providing appropriate interventions. Aim: To describe how children aged 8-12 with an intellectual disability living in Ethiopia perceive their situation regarding participation in activities in everyday life. Method: A descriptive design with a quantitative approach was used. The sample was gathered using consecutive sampling. Fifteen structured interviews were conducted, using “Picture my participation,” an instrument under development. Analyses were made using SPSS Statistics and Microsoft Excel. Results: The children perceived that they participated in activities in everyday life. There was a broad variation in the activities the children prioritized as most important. On a group level, they were very involved in these activities. The majority did not experience any barriers to perform these activities. Conclusions: The perceptions of the majority of the children were that they were involved in daily activities. They did not experience any barriers to participation. The results should be read with caution and generalization is not possible, due to the sample characteristics and that the instrument is under development.

Imagens das emoções na infância: Representações sociais da alegria e da tristeza entre crianças em idade pré-escolar

As crianças são muito sensíveis a qualquer mudança no meio familiar ou social. O modo como apreendem, vivenciam e exprimem emoções ou sentimentos, em interacção com o meio - pais, professores e colegas determina, em muito, o seu desenvolvimento, nomeadamente a nível cognitivo, emocional e social. Nesta investigação averiguámos as representações sociais dos sentimentos, em particular da alegria e da tristeza, entre crianças com 5 e 6 anos, de ambos os sexos, que frequentam Jardins de Infância em Lisboa. Enquadrámos teoricamente a investigação na teoria das Representações Sociais (e.g. Moscovici,1976). Os dados foram recolhidos através de desenhos e por associação livre de palavras, a questões colocadas individualmente às crianças, e tratados através de AFO. Os resultados revelaram bastante acerca dos sentimentos das crianças, o que também nos estimula a reflectir sobre o modo mais cuidado para actuar com elas, contribuindo para o seu bem-estar psíquico e social, e aprendizagem. ABSTRACT; Children are deeply sensitive to any change in the family or social environment. The way in which they perceive, experience, and express emotions or feelings when interacting with the environment - parents, teachers, and fellow students - largely determines their development namely on a cognitive, emotional and social level. This research examines the social representations of feelings, particularly of joy and sadness, among children aged 5 and 6 years old, of the both sexes, and attending Kindergartens in Lisbon. On a theoretical perspective, the empirical research is framed on the Social Representations theory (e.g., Moscovici,1976). The data was gathered using drawings and free association, from questions individually made to the children, and examined through FCA2. The results showed quite a lot about the feelings of the children, which also leads us to reflect on the most careful way to act with them, as to contribute to their psychic and social well being, as well as their learning

Reading Performance in Children with Visual Function Anomalies

Aims: To compare reading performance in children with and without visual function anomalies and identify the influence of abnormal visual function and other variables in reading ability. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried in 110 children of school age (6-11 years) with Abnormal Visual Function (AVF) and 562 children with Normal Visual Function (NVF). An orthoptic assessment (visual acuity, ocular alignment, near point of convergence and accommodation, stereopsis and vergences) and autorefraction was carried out. Oral reading was analyzed (list of 34 words). Number of errors, accuracy (percentage of success) and reading speed (words per minute - wpm) were used as reading indicators. Sociodemographic information from parents (n=670) and teachers (n=34) was obtained. Results: Children with AVF had a higher number of errors (AVF=3.00 errors; NVF=1.00 errors; p<0.001), a lower accuracy (AVF=91.18%; NVF=97.06%; p<0.001) and reading speed (AVF=24.71 wpm; NVF=27.39 wpm; p=0.007). Reading speed in the 3rd school grade was not statistically different between the two groups (AVF=31.41 wpm; NVF=32.54 wpm; p=0.113). Children with uncorrected hyperopia (p=0.003) and astigmatism (p=0.019) had worst reading performance. Children in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grades presented a lower risk of having reading impairment when compared with the 1st grade. Conclusion: Children with AVF had reading impairment in the first school grade. It seems that reading abilities have a wide variation and this disparity lessens in older children. The slow reading characteristics of the children with AVF are similar to dyslexic children, which suggest the need for an eye evaluation before classifying the children as dyslexic.

Os visitantes do parque Biológico de Gaia

Nascido em 1983, o Parque Biológico de Gaia (PBG) é das primeiras instituições de Educação Ambiental (EA) criadas em Portugal que se tem dedicado a desenvolver atividades de EA de forma articulada com as escolas ou alargadas a públicos diversificados que visitam o parque de forma autónoma. O PBG tem restaurado espaços naturais e humanizados – como as antigas quintas – promovendo a conservação da paisagem e contribuindo para assegurar o equilíbrio ecológico ao mesmo tempo que desenvolve um plano educativo constante para sensibilizar a população para os problemas ambientais e estimular comportamentos mais sustentáveis. Foi nesta instituição que realizamos o nosso estágio curricular do mestrado em Educação Ambiental da Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, entre 5 de fevereiro e 18 de maio de 2016. O presente Relatório apresenta o trabalho desenvolvido, com particular destaque para os resultados da investigação sobre as práticas de Educação Ambiental concretizadas pela instituição. As técnicas utilizadas na recolha de dados foram a observação, a análise documental e o inquérito por questionário. Consideraram-se os Relatórios de Contas desde 2010 e analisou-se um questionário de satisfação aplicado pelo PBG, referente aos anos de 2012 a 2015; além disso, criou-se um questionário para conhecer as perceções dos visitantes sobre as práticas de Educação Ambiental, que foi aplicado durante visitas livres ao PBG efetuado no período de estágio. Os dados foram tratados numa perspetiva estatística descritiva, tendo os dados qualitativos sido previamente sujeitos a análise de conteúdo. Recorreu-se à utilização do software Microsoft Excel. Os resultados mostram uma opinião francamente positiva sobre o PBG por parte dos visitantes, que os quais valorizam a qualidade ambiental do Parque, as atividades para crianças e reconhecem que ganharam interesse pelo Ambiente após o contacto com o PBG. Um bom indicador dessa apreciação é que uma larga maioria de visitantes pensa voltar e aconselha a visita. Outro dado interessante obtido foi que várias respostas referem o contacto com o PBG enquanto crianças e jovens. Do ponto de vista pessoal, o estágio foi um desafio importante, permitiu-nos confrontar os conhecimentos teóricos com a realidade e adquirir uma experiência profissional relevante.

Can foster carers help children resolve their emotional and behavioural difficulties?

Although foster care is generally seen as providing a positive experience for the children and young people for whom it caters, it is rarely conceived of as a place where the children are helped to address their emotional difficulties and modify their often difficult behaviour. Yet research evidence suggests that some foster carers are consistently less likely to have placements which break down, and that foster carers who show particular skills in parenting can make a difference to successful outcomes. The paper draws on a large longitudinal study of foster care to argue that it is possible to learn from what these foster carers do in order to develop these skills in others. A model of successful foster care. developed from the main statistical part of the study is first described. Two cases from the qualitative, case studies component of the research are then analysed to demonstrate a quality of responsive parenting. The model is further developed within the framework of the dynamic of attachment and interest sharing proposed by Heard and Lake, to show how this can be used as a basis for future approaches to working with foster placements.

Direitos do aluno em contexto escolar : um estudo comparado entre o Ensino Secundário Público e o privado no Concelho de Lisboa

Considerando o importante papel que as instituições educativas desempenham na formação das crianças e dos jovens, o respeito pelos direitos dos alunos é condição fundamental, para lhes proporcionar uma educação de qualidade. Partindo desta consciência, resolvemos efetuar um estudo de caso, numa escola da rede pública de ensino e numa escola da rede privada de ensino, ambas situadas no concelho de Lisboa, com o objetivo de conhecer as perceções dos alunos sobre a promoção dos seus direitos em contexto escolar e descortinar as semelhanças e as diferenças entre os dois contextos educativos, atendendo à diferente natureza jurídica das duas instituições. Para concretizarmos esse objetivo, formulámos as seguintes perguntas derivadas, cujas respostas procuraremos obter no decurso do nosso estudo: (i) os alunos têm conhecimento de que são titulares de direitos?; (ii) exercem os seus direitos em condições de plena igualdade e sem qualquer discriminação?; (iii) o interesse superior do aluno é a primordial consideração que a Escola tem em conta, em todos os assuntos que lhe dizem respeito?; (iv) o direito à vida, à sobrevivência e ao desenvolvimento dos alunos é garantido na Escola? e (v) a opinião dos alunos é tida em consideração, em todos os assuntos que lhes dizem respeito?. Para atingirmos os objetivos que delineamos, desenvolvemos um estudo de caso, recorrendo a uma abordagem metodológica predominantemente qualitativa, com recurso a técnicas variadas, designadamente a entrevista, o inquérito por questionário e a análise documental. Procedemos à revisão da literatura, de acordo com as áreas conceptuais previamente definidas, que se consubstanciaram nos princípios gerais de direito internacional, consignados na Convenção sobre os Direitos da Criança de 1989, e à luz dos quais todos os direitos nela constantes devem ser interpretados: o princípio da não discriminação, o princípio do interesse superior da criança, o direito à vida, à sobrevivência e ao desenvolvimento, e o princípio do respeito pelas opiniões da criança. A análise dos conceitos e da diferente natureza jurídica das duas instituições foi, também, objeto do nosso estudo. Por outro lado, a legislação portuguesa relacionada com os direitos dos alunos, também, foi por nós revista neste estudo, nomeadamente, os diversos estatutos do aluno que se sucederam no tempo. A análise dos resultados obtidos permitiu-nos concluir que o respeito dos direitos dos alunos, nas suas diversas dimensões, não foi ainda totalmente conseguido, sobretudo o seu direito à não discriminação e o seu direito à participação a nível micro e meso. Não se podendo generalizar o estudo, a comunidade educativa tem de desenvolver um esforço para a compreensão da dimensão e da importância do respeito dos direitos dos alunos, sobretudo na criação de um clima democrático, que favoreça a plena igualdade de oportunidades a todos os alunos e a livre escolha do projeto educativo pelas famílias das crianças e dos jovens.

Relatório de Estágio

O Relatório de Estágio, elaborado no âmbito do Mestrado em Ensino do 1.º e 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, pretende ser um reflexo da prática educativa realizada e um contributo para a formação pessoal e profissional da mestranda, caracterizando-se por uma atitude crítica, reflexiva e investigativa. A revisitação e a análise refletida da ação, e das opções didático-pedagógicas que a orientaram, permitiram traçar um percurso para a melhoria das práticas educativas, determinante para o desenvolvimento da identidade docente. Desta experiência, salienta-se, por um lado, o trabalho realizado em par pedagógico, em todos os momentos do ciclo da supervisão, que potenciou momentos de debate e de reflexão – e, consequentemente, uma prática informada, criativa e rigorosa, fundamentada em princípios e valores partilhados. Por outro lado, destaca-se também a influência da filosofia do Movimento da Escola Moderna na conceção e implementação da Prática Educativa Supervisionada (PES), o que contribuiu ainda para a valorização da colaboração entre todos os atores envolvidos neste palco que é a ação educativa. Ao longo da PES, o par pedagógico privilegiou situações de ensino e de aprendizagem que favorecessem a cooperação e a comunicação bem como atividades que adequadas às necessidades do contexto educativo e aos interesses das crianças, baseada numa relação horizontal entre professores e alunos. Deste modo, a PES, sustentada num exercício de constante articulação entre teoria e prática, constituiu uma oportunidade de experienciar os desafios da docência e de compreender como é que esta pode concorrer para uma sociedade mais justa, livre e democrática.

Non-communicable diseases among children in Ghana: health and social concerns of parent/caregivers.

Background: Globally, there is a progressive rise in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This paper examined the health and social concerns of parents/caregivers on in-patient care for children with NCDs in Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in three large health facilities in Ghana (the largest in the South, the largest in the North and the largest in the Eastern part of Ghana. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire among 225 caregivers (≥18 years) of 149 children with NCDs in health facilities in the three regions. Data was analyzed with simple descriptive statistics. Results: Most caregivers 169(75.0%) were women, relatively young (median age 35years), mostly married and resided in urban areas. Sickle cell disease was the commonest NCD among the children. All 169(75.0%) caregivers believed children suffer NCDs because of sins of parents/ancestors, 29(12.9%) believed herbalists/spiritualists have insights into treating NCDs and 73(32.6%) have previously used herbs/traditional medicine for child's illness. NCD in children was a burden and caused financial difficulties for families. Most caregivers (>96.0%) indicated NCDs in children should be included in national health insurance benefits package and a comprehensive national NCD policy is needed. Conclusion: Absence of national NCD policy for children is a major challenge. The burden of care rests mainly on the parents/ caregivers. A national strategic intervention on the importance of awareness generation on the causes, risk factors, prevention and treatment of NCDs for families and communities is essential. Government support through national health and social policy initiatives are essential.

Screening for childhood lead poisoning in the industrial region of Fez, Morocco

International audience