The first years of life are an optimal time for developing motor competence. However, the evidence regarding motor competence in early childhood is fragmented and needs to be clearly synthesized and presented. To establish effective evidence-based decision making in research, practice, and policy for the early years, this expert statement, on…

Playwork is a recognised profession in the United Kingdom (UK) and is currently a growing area of interest internationally. However, debates about the nature and purpose of playwork have raged in the playwork field since the profession was invented in the early adventure playgrounds. This study is the first to capture data about what the now…

The study explored parents' opinions regarding the forest kindergarten attended by their children. Six parents participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore their experiences. The topics raised in the interviews concerned four areas: sources of parents' knowledge about forest kindergartens; arguments for choosing a…

This study examines the impact of the deviation between parents' educational expectations and children's educational expectations on children's health. This study based on the data from Chinese Family Panel Studies conducted in 2018 and 2020, The participants were 2340 children aged 10-15 years (1310 boys, 1030 girls) in China. We found that when…

We provide experimental evidence on the intergenerational impacts of secondary education subsidies in a low-income context, leveraging a randomized controlled trial and 15-year longitudinal follow-up. For young women, receiving a scholarship for secondary school delays childbearing and marriage, and reduces unwanted pregnancies. Female scholarship…

Background/purpose: This study addresses the critical need to assess and enhance the quality of early childhood education and care by evaluating learners' developmental performance and health status under the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program in San Fernando City, La Union. Given the importance of early childhood as a foundation…

This study aimed to obtain consensus on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) policy items for use in Canadian childcare settings. Purposeful sampling of Canadian experts in PA/SB (n = 19) and Early Childhood Education (ECE; n = 20) was used to form two distinct (i.e., PA/SB and ECE) panels for a 3-round Delphi study. In round 1, the…

Maternal depression is a global public health concern with far-reaching impacts on child development, yet our understanding of mechanisms remains incomplete. This study examined whether parenting mediates the association between maternal depression and child outcomes. Participants included 841 rural Pakistani mother-child dyads (50% female).…

The authors discuss their application of John W. Kingdon's multiple streams framework (MSF) and the role it plays in the analysis of a pioneering local public policy in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this policy, instituted in 2009 and initiated by a group of Bristol's mothers, was to reclaim children's right to play, mainly for their own…

Integrated early childhood development (ECD) programs boost child health and developmental outcomes. However, the factors contributing to the successful implementation of such programs in informal urban settlements are not well researched. We conducted 14 focus group discussions and 13 key informant interviews with 125 caregivers of children under…

The purpose of this study is to describe the policies of the West Java regional government to overcome stunting, the factors that cause stunting in West Java, and strategies that can be applied to overcome stunting in West Java. A qualitative approach and literature review were used as the research method. Data were gathered using interviews and…

Within this literature-based article the authors consider the importance and power of relationships, within the field of early years education and care (ECEC). Drawing on the lenses of attachment and development theory, alongside current literature and research, the authors critically explore the significance of relationships in child development,…

This exploratory study examined international school parental perceptions regarding the relationship between physical activity and academic performance. This descriptive research was carried out at an international school in South Korea and included 69 parents of adolescent children at the school. Statistical analyses examined if there were…

In South Africa, the mother-infant relationship is often conceptualized using international frameworks. Yet, contextual knowledge of mother-infant bonding is essential, as a strong mother-infant bond enhances a mother's capacity to care for her infant, and is associated with many positive child development outcomes. Community health workers work…

China has made significant progress in enhancing maternal and child health over the past 70 years but geographic-based disparities in early childhood development remain. This study investigated trends in urban-rural gaps in early childhood development and the factors that influence them by leveraging secondary data from the China Family Panel…