Reflections on Conducting Kindergarten Language Education Activities Based on Children’s Literature

In early childhood education,language education is a crucial component,yet in kindergarten teaching,there often exists issues such as“emphasis on knowledge and neglect of practice.”To address this problem,teachers need to incorporate children’s literature in a reasonable manner to create a conducive environment for language education for young children.This article analyzes and discusses the significance of integrating children’s literature into kindergarten language education activities,and proposes strategies for addressing the current issues in kindergarten language education activities and conducting them based on children’s literature.

The effectiveness of physical activity interventions on blood pressure in children and adolescents:A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:High blood pressure(BP)is a major contributor to mortality and cardiovascular diseases.Despite the known benefits of exercise for reducing BP,it is crucial to identify the most effective physical activity(PA)intervention.This systematic review and network meta-analysis(NMA)aimed to evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of various PA interventions for reducing BP and to determine their hierarchy based on their impact on BP.Methods:A search of PubMed,SPORTDiscus,PsycINFO,Web of Science,CINAHL,Cochrane,and Eric databases was conducted up to December 2022 for this systematic review and NMA.Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies targeting healthy children and adolescents aged 6-12 years old were included in this study.Only studies that compared controlled and intervention groups using PA or exercise as the major influence were included.We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)guidelines.Three independent investigators performed the literature screening,data extraction,and risk of bias assessment.We used Bayesian arm-based NMA to synthesize the data.The primary outcomes were systolic BP and diastolic BP.We calculated the mean differences(MDs)in systolic BP and diastolic BP before and after treatment.Mean treatment differences were estimated using NMA and random-effect models.Results:We synthesized 27 studies involving 15,220 children and adolescents.PA combined with nutrition and behavior change was the most effective intervention for reducing both systolic BP and diastolic BP(MD=-8.64,95%credible interval(95%CI):-11.44 to-5.84;MD=-6.75,95%CI:-10.44 to-3.11),followed by interventions with multiple components(MD=-1.39,95%CI:-1.94 to-0.84;MD=-2.54,95%CI:-4.89 to-0.29).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that PA interventions incorporating nutrition and behavior change,followed by interventions with multiple components,are most effective for reducing both systolic BP and diastolic BP in children and adolescents.

Research on Children’s Game Activity Design Strategies Based on Embodied Cognition Theory

Edutainment,in the kindergarten education stage,emphasizes the game as the basic activity and combines the content of education with the form of the game,thus it also forms the educational method of gamification teaching.Through investigation and analysis,it is found that the current kindergarten game activity design has the problem of improper combination of educational content and game form.The current kindergarten game activity design has problems such as stereotypes,children’s lack of active learning opportunities in activities,teachers’insufficient theoretical understanding,inappropriate teacher guidance methods,and so on.Embodied cognition theory attaches importance to the important role of the body in the development of cognition,provides new guidance for classroom teaching,and opens up a new path for classroom teaching reform.Based on the perspective of embodied cognition theory,the concept of body and mind integration should be adhered to in kindergarten teaching with games as the basic activity,experiential teaching situation should be created,children’s subjective experience should be respected,and games and interactions should be designed to promote children’s physical and mental participation,thus laying a foundation for the realization of children’s individual freedom,autonomy,and all-round development.Therefore,this paper aims at the existing problems in the current kindergarten gamification teaching and discusses the design strategy of children’s game activities based on embodied cognition theory.

Verification of the Physiological Therapeutic Effects of Harvesting Activities in a Patient with Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease with Long-Term Agricultural Experience

Background: Harvesting activities have proven effective in reducing stress in patients with dementia. At a psychiatric hospital, occupational therapists (OT) made patients with dementia perform vegetable harvesting activities as a part of their treatment. The patients became calmer and began to smile not only after but also before and during harvesting activity. Therefore, this study aimed to measure autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses over time in a female patient in her 80s with moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who had experience in farming when performing harvesting activities. Additionally, this study aimed to consider factors associated with changes in ANS responses over time and to verify the physiological therapeutic effects of harvesting activities. Methods: An OT with more than 10 years of experience and a good relationship with the patient conducted one-on-one sessions with the patient. Harvesting activity was performed in a courtyard with trees. The patient harvested lettuce (three lettuce plants) grown in a planter while sitting on a chair. Additionally, the planter was set up on a desk. ANS responses were measured over time from before to after the activity for different events at six time periods. Changes in the patient’s ANS responses were assessed during each period. Results: With the involvement of environmental factors and OT during harvesting activities, parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity significantly increased. This may lead to improved mental stability. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that implementing harvesting activities may have a positive effect on the PNS in patients with AD with long-term agricultural experience. However, further studies with a larger sample size and multidimensional evaluations are needed.

Construction Strategies of Public Activity Spaces in Residential Districts Based on Children's Activities

The relationship between children's activities and public spaces was analyzed and summarized from three perspectives, namely, children's demands on outdoor activity spaces, factors infl uencing children's behavior requirements, and planning strategies. The paper provided theoretical support for exploring the relationship between children's activities and public spaces, and proposed planning strategies for improving use effi ciency of urban outdoor public spaces and facilities, and creating public spaces capable of meeting children's psychological needs.

Children’s Health, Parent-Child Activities, Using Digital Devices, and Social Competence: Serial Mediation

Background: Studies have pointed out the influence of different children’s activities and prolonged use of digital products on their social development. However, whether the parent-child activities and using digital devices were serial mediators of the relationship between children’s health and social development needs further verification. Purpose: This study explored how parent-child activities and children’s use of digital devices influence the relationship between children’s health and their social competence. Method: This study used data from Kids in Taiwan: National Longitudinal Study of Child Development and Care. A total sample of 2164 participants was used in this study. Serial mediation analyses were performed using model six of Hayes’ PROCESS (2012). Results: This study found that parent-child activities and the use of digital devices can serially mediate the relationship between children’s health and social competence. Children’s health could directly improve their social competence, but it could also serially mediate social competence by increasing parent-child activities and reducing the use of digital devices. Conclusion: Childcare policy planners and parenting educators should not only call on parents to reduce the use of electronic products for their children, but also encourage parents to spend more time interacting with their children, so that children can learn social skills by interacting with others in their daily lives.

Environmental Design of Urban Outdoor Public Spaces Based on Children's Activities

This paper analyzed current situation of domestic and foreign children's outdoor spaces, and the relationship between urban public spaces and children's behaviors, summarized design principles and techniques to improve use efficiency of urban outdoor public spaces and facilities, create public spaces capable of meeting psychological behavior needs of children.

Study on classroom activities in children English class

Though classroom activities in children English class have been studied by many scholars, there is a lack of real class investigation and analysis on this subject. Combining the observations of classroom activities in a real children English class with the interviews with the child students and the teacher in that class, this paper presents various classroom activities used in real children English class. Among all the activities of greetings and free conversations, guessing new words, pair or group work, games, songs, chants, making stories and competition, child students prefer games, role play, making stories, and competitions, in which children can take the initiatives; while the teacher favors greetings, guessing new words, role play, and group work. The problem of the activities that children students like the most is that they may cause some disturbance in class. To solve this problem, the author thinks that these activities are better to be put at the end of the class.

On the Application of Drama Teaching Method in Preschool Children’s English Enlightenment Activities

with the rapid development of English education, children’s teaching is becoming more and more important in the edu-cation system. Children’s English has the characteristics of enlightenment. The application of drama teaching method can makethe abstract knowledge vivid, which is helpful to arouse students’ enthusiasm and better understand knowledge. Therefore, teach-ers should follow the principles of English drama teaching, make clear the teaching purpose, and design targeted drama links to pro-mote the rational application of drama teaching method in English classroom.

Physical activity among Chinese school-aged children:National prevalence estimates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China The Youth Study

Purpose: This study was to present national estimates of participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and adherence to the recommendations of 60 min/day of MVPA among Chinese school-aged children and to assess demographic differences in MVPA.Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of data from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study. Participants were 90,712 primary, junior middle, and junior high school children(boy: 47%; girl: 53%), recruited from 1204 rural and urban schools across 32 administrative provinces and regions in the Mainland of China. Main outcomes were(a) average MVPA minutes per day in the previous 7 days by self-reports and(b) percentage meeting MVPA recommendations.Results: Average MVPA time was 45.4 min/day, with boys having more MVPA(47.2 min/day) than girls(43.7 min/day) overall and across the 3 school grade categories. About 30% of participants met MVPA recommendations, with a higher percentage of boys(32%) than girls(28%) overall and across the 3 grades categories. Urban school children outperformed rural children in terms of MVPA time. Overall, boys were more likely to meet MVPA recommendations(adjusted odds ratio(a OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.16–1.22) compared with girls; children in higher grades(junior middle(a OR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.87–0.98) and junior high(a OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.53–0.66)) were less likely to meet recommendations compared with primary school children. The odds of meeting recommendations did not differ between urban and rural children(p = 0.07),but urban boys were found to be more likely to meet recommendations compared with rural boys(a OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.06–1.19).Conclusion: Overall, the average MVPA minutes per day among Chinese school-aged children is low, and less than one-third of them meet MVPA recommendations. These results were most evident among junior middle and junior high school children and those living rural areas.

Prevalence of physical fitness in Chinese school-aged children： Findings from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China -The Youth Study

Purpose： This study was to present the 2016 prevalence estimates of Chinese school-aged children meeting physical fitness standards and to examine differences by sex and residence locales in children who did not meet fitness standards. Methods： We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 171,991 children and adolescents （boy： 50.0%, Grades 1-12） who participated in the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China--The Youth Study. The main outcomes were fitness measures, assessed by the 2014 revised Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard （CNSPFS）, covering areas of aerobic capacity, upper body strength, flexibility, body mass index, abdominal strength, and trunk strength. Children＇s overall physical fitness performance was categorized, per CNSPFS standards, as excellent, good, pass, or no pass. Data on the prevalence of physical fitness categories and not meeting fitness standards （i.e., among children who received a ＂no pass＂ mark） were analyzed, through logistic regression, by sex （boy, girl） and residence locales （urban, rural） across 3 school grades （primary, junior middle, and junior high）. Results： In 2016, 5.95% of Chinese children and adolescents achieved an ＂excellent＂ mark, 25.80% received a ＂good＂ rating, 59.90% received a ＂pass＂, and 8.35% received a ＂no pass＂. Overall, boys were more likely to not pass the fitness standards compared with girls （adjusted odds ratio （aOR） = 1.710; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.708-1.712） and children living in urban areas were more likely to not pass the standards than those living in rural areas （aOR = 1.298; 95%CI： 1.296-1.299）. Consistent patterns of not meeting fitness standards were also found by sex and residence locales across all 3 school grades. Conclusion： In the Chinese school-aged population, about 3 in 10 children achieved an ＂excellent＂ or ＂good＂ fitness standard in 2016, and about 8% of this population did not meet CNSPFS standards. Children living in urban areas were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels, and boys in school were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels than girls. 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Shanghai University of Sport. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license （http：//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/）.

Associations between near work, outdoor activity, parental myopia and myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria

●AIM:To assess the influence of near work,time outdoor and parental myopia on the prevalence of myopia in school children in Aba,Nigeria.●METHODS:Primary and secondary school children aged between 8 and 15 y were randomly recruited from 12 schools in Aba.Information on family history,near work and outdoor activity was obtained using myopia risk factor questionnaire.Cycloplegic refraction was performed using autorefraction technique.Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction(SER)≤-0.50 D in the poorer eye.Data were analysed for 1197(male:538 and female:659)children with full relevant data.●RESULTS:Risk of developing myopia was positively associated with parental myopia[odds ratio(OR):6.80;95%CI,2.76-16.74;P<0.01)for one myopic parent and(OR:9.47;95%CI,3.88-23.13;P<0.01)for two myopic parents,longer daily reading hour(OR:1.21;95%CI,1.03-1.42;P=0.02)and less time outdoors(OR:0.8;95%CI,0.74-0.87;P<0.01).●CONCLUSION:Parental history of myopia is the most important risk factor associated with myopia.In addition,children with both parents being myopic has increased odds of developing myopia than those with one myopic parent.It is recommended therefore,that children spend more time outdoors as this could reduce the prevalence and progression of myopia.

Validation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children(PAQ-C) among Chinese Children

Objective This study initially validates the Chinese version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children （PAQ-C）, which has been identified as a potentially valid instrument to assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity （MVPA） in children among diverse racial groups. Methods The psychometric properties of the PAQ-C with 742 Hong Kong Chinese children were assessed with the scale＇s internal consistency, reliability, test-retest reliability, confirmatory factory analysis （CFA） in the overall sample, and multistep invariance tests across gender groups as well as convergent validity with body mass index （BMI）, and an accelerometry-based MVPA. Results The Cronbach alpha coefficient （α=0.79）, composite reliability value （p=0.81）, and the intraclass correlation coefficient （α=0.82） indicate the satisfactory reliability of the PAQ-C score. The CFA indicated data fit a single factor model, suggesting that the PAQ-C measures only one construct, on MVPA over the previous 7 days. The multiple-group CFAs suggested that the factor Ioadings and variances and covariances of the PAQ-C measurement model were invariant across gender groups. The PAQ-C score was related to accelerometry-based MVPA （r=0.33） and inversely related to BMI （r=0.18）. Conclusion This study demonstrates the reliability and validity of the PAQ-C in Chinese children.

Physical activity and academic achievement in children:A historical perspective

As the focus on academic achievement has increased,physical activity(PA) opportunities in schools have decreased in the United States.In an attempt to discover how the decline in PA may affect academic achievement,researchers have been studying the effects of PA on cognition and academic achievement in children for more than 50 years.This review takes a historical perspective on the science of PA and academic achievement prior to and during the past 5 years.A total of 125 published articles were included and reviewed.Fifty-three of these articles were published in the past 5 years.In recent years,the overall quality of the studies has increased,but the results continue to be inconsistent.Many use cross-sectional designs and the methods vary substantially.The majority of conclusions show a positive effect of PA on constructs related to academic achievement.Future studies should use strong study designs to examine the types and doses of PA needed to produce improvements in academic achievement.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Chinese Children: Recent Trends and Correlates

Objective This study was aimed at examining the trends and correlates of physical activity(PA)and sedentary behaviors among Chinese children.Methods A total of 4,341 subjects(6,936 observations)aged 6–17 years who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey(2004–2015)were included.Of the subjects,41%participated in the survey twice or more.Random-effects ordinal regression models and repeated-measures mixed-effects models were used to examine the PA trends.Quantile regression models were applied to examine the factors influencing PA and sedentary behaviors.Results From 2004 to 2015,the prevalence of physical inactivity among Chinese children aged 6–17 years increased by 5.5%[odds ratio(OR),1.51;95%confidence interval(CI),1.19–1.90;P<0.001].The PA volume declined by 5.8 metabolic equivalent of task-hr/week(P<0.001),and the time spent in sedentary behaviors increased by 1.8 hr/week(P<0.001).Age,ethnicity,and region showed significant effects on the PA volume across the quartiles(P<0.001).Across the quartiles,sedentary time was significantly higher in the children residing in urban areas(P<0.001)or areas with high urbanization levels(P≤0.005)than in their counterparts.Conclusions A declining PA trend among Chinese children aged 6–17 years was observed from 2004 to2015,and certain subgroups and geographical areas are at higher risk of physical inactivity.

Validity and Reliability of the Wristband Activity Monitor in Free-living Children Aged 10-17 Years

Objective In this study we aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the wristband activity monitor against the accelerometer for children.Methods A total of 99 children(mean age = 13.0 ± 2.5 y) wore the two monitors in a free-living context for 7 days. Reliability was measured by intraclass correlation to evaluate consistency over time.Repeated-measures analyses of variance was used to detect differences across days. Spearman’s correlation coefficient(rho), median of absolute percentage error, and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess the validity of the wristband against the Acti Graph accelerometer. The optimal number of repeated measures for the wristband was calculated by using the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula.Results The wristband had high reliability for all variables, although physical activity data were different across 7 days. A strong correlation for steps(rho: 0.72, P < 0.001), and moderate correlations for time spent on total physical activity(rho: 0.63, P < 0.001) and physical activity energy expenditure(rho: 0.57, P < 0.001) were observed between the wristband and the accelerometer. For different intensities of physical activity, weak to moderate correlations were found(rho: 0.38 to 0.55, P < 0.001).Conclusion The wristband activity monitor seems to be reliable and valid for measurement of overall children’s physical activity, providing a feasible objective method of physical activity surveillance in children.

Physical activity and exercise in children with chronic health conditions

In the last two or three decades,physical activity(PA) has gained increasing recognition as being essential for maintaining good health and improving quality of life for all ages.Children have traditionally been active in both free play and organized sports.However,there has been a recent decline in the PA levels among children for various reasons.This lifestyle change has resulted in increased obesity accompanied by a rise in diabetes and cardiovascular risk among otherwise healthy children.These lifestyle changes have been shown to be even more a problem when the child is already affected by a chronic disease.Due to medical limitations and contraindications,much care must be taken to make certain that these children are involved in the appropriate volume and intensity of exercise.The type of activity must also be given careful consideration to avoid undue risk for the child who may have problems such as poor balance,limited strength,poor vision,or cognitive disability.Further complications are either caused or exacerbated by lack of sufficient PA.The priority beyond concern for safety should be focused on ensuring the highest quality of life possible.The purpose of this review is to examine how PA can benefit children with selected chronic health conditions.

A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children

Purpose:The aim of this mixed-studies systematic review was to ascertain the effectiveness of school-based interventions in increasing physical activity(PA) and/or reducing sedentary time(ST) in children aged 5-11 years,as well as to explore their effectiveness in relation to categories of the theory of expanded,extended,and enhanced opportunity(TEO).Methods:Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) guidelines,5 databases were searched using predefined search terms.Following title and abstract screening of 1115 records,the removal of duplicates(n=584) and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria agreed to a priori(n=419) resulted in 112 records that were full-text screened.Two independent reviewers subsequently used the mixed-methods appraisal tool to assess the methodological quality of 57 full-text studies that met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening.The interventions were summarised using the TIDierR checklist and TEO.The strength of evidence was determined using a 5-level rating system utilising a published decision tree.Results:Overall evidence ratings for interventions implemented within school settings were:no evidence of effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and inconclusive evidence of effects on sedentary time.In relation to the TEO,expansion of PA appeared to be the most promising intervention type for MVPA,with moderate evidence of effect,whereas extension and enhancement of PA opportunity demonstrated no evidence of effect.A critical issue of possible compensatory behavior was identified by analysis of intervention effect in relation to PA measurement duration;when studies measured changes in PA during the actual intervention,there was moderate evidence of effect,whereas those that measured changes in PA during the school day presented inconclusive evidence of effect,and those that measured changes in PA over a whole day yielded no evidence of effect.Two meta-analyses of those studies using a whole-day accelerometer measure for MVPA or ST showed a significant but moderate effect for MVPA(effect size=0.51;95% confidence interval(CI):0.02-0.99) and a large but nonsignificant effect for ST(effect size=1.15;95%CI:-1.03 to 3.33);both meta-analyses demonstrated low precision,considerable inconsistency,and high heterogeneity.Conclusion:The findings have important implications for future intervention research in terms of intervention design,implementation,and evaluation.

Step it up： Promoting physical activity in school-aged children and adolescents in China

In this special issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science, a series of articles describe the results of the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China--The Youth Study. The results show a relatively high prevalence of sedentary behaviors, unhealthy weight, lower fitness levels, and lower levels of engagement in physical exercise and fitness activities than antici- pated.

Physical activity and obese children

Childhood obesity is an epidemic of global proportions,accompanied by an alarming increase in various metabolic disorders.It would appear that childhood obesity stems largely from excessive energy intake and that it is the ensuing obesity that leads to physical inactivity in children,as opposed to initial physical inactivity inducing obesity.How changes in body composition that accompany obesity influence physical activity (PA) and the mechanistic basis for this remains poorly understood.This review provides an overview of the PA habits and body composition of the obese children.We suggest skeletal muscle metabolism as a key driver of PA.The role both quantitative and qualitative changes in skeletal muscle may play in oxidative metabolism in the obese children are discussed.There is a real need for research examining the mechanistic basis of physical inactivity in the obese.The dearth of information on the role of skeletal muscle metabolism in the PA of obese youngsters and the emergence of new technologies allowing cellular and metabolite mechanisms to be explored provides plenty of scope for future work.