Characteristics of the physical childcare environment are associated with children’s sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) levels. This study examines whether these associations are moderated by child characteristics. A total of 152 1- to 3-year-old children from 22 Dutch childcare centers participated in the study. Trained research assistants observed the physical childcare environment, using the Environment and Policy Assessment Observation (EPAO) protocol. Child characteristics (age, gender, temperament and weight status) were assessed using parental questionnaires. Child SB and PA was assessed using Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Linear regression analyses including interaction terms were used to examine moderation of associations between the childcare environment and child SB and PA. Natural elements and portable outdoor equipment were associated with less SB and more PA. In addition, older children, boys and heavier children were less sedentary and more active, while more use of childcare and an anxious temperament were associated with more SB. There were various interactions between environmental factors and child characteristics. Specific physical elements (e.g., natural elements) were especially beneficial for vulnerable children (i.e., anxious, overactive, depressive/withdrawn, overweight). The current study shows the importance of the physical childcare environment in lowering SB and promoting PA in very young children in general, and vulnerable children specifically. Moderation by child characteristics shows the urgency of shaping childcare centers that promote PA in all children, increasing equity in PA promotion in childcare.
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Infants attend daycare at an early age, which raises questions about children's sensitivity to the childcare environment and the role of different temperamental traits in their development in the early years. In a two-year longitudinal study with parent- and caregiver-reported data for Dutch children at the age of 1 and 2 years (120 children from 92 groups), we explored fine-grained dimensions of negative affect and their relationship with socio-emotional functioning. Especially shyness, frustration and soothability proved robust predictors of socio-emotional development across parent- and caregiver-reported data with both concurrent (Year-1) and predictive associations (Year-2). Also, the quality of caregiver–child interactions moderated caregiver-reported child wellbeing and competence. Infants that are open to social contacts, are easy to comfort and have low levels of frustration, and have higher levels of wellbeing and less problem behaviour in early daycare than peers with higher levels of shyness and frustration and relatively low levels of soothability.
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Elke crisis vraagt om veerkracht. De veerkrachtige samenleving kan een antwoord bieden op de uitdagingen, bedreigingen en schokken die voortkomen uit snel veranderende maatschappelijke omstandigheden. In het licht van de huidige crisis veroorzaakt door de corona pandemie, is dat niet alleen een hoopvol idee, maar ook een cruciaal idee. Deze publicatie is geschreven voor bestuurders, studenten, docenten, professionals en beleidsmakers binnen het sociale domein die in deze crisistijd behoefte hebben aan achtergrondinformatie over het begrip veerkracht. We bespreken hoe het begrip veerkracht betekenis krijgt binnen verschillende wetenschappelijke tradities en denkstromingen. Ook laten we zien dat het begrip veerkracht behulpzaam kan zijn om gedragsverandering en verbetering van maatschappelijke voorwaarden op verschillende niveaus inzichtelijk te maken: op individueel niveau, op collectief niveau (groepen), en op systemisch niveau (samenleving en ecosysteem). Voor beroepskrachten bieden deze drie niveaus elk andere aanknopingspunten en handelingsperspectieven.
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