How different are parents and educators? A comparative study of interactive differences between parents and educators in a collaborative adult-child activity.

Involving children in collaborative tasks supports their cognitive, motor and social development. This study, performed in Portugal, aims to describe and compare early childhood educators and parents regarding their collaborative and interactive behavior when working with children. For that purpose, 55 educators (of both genders) with a child from their class and 45 parents (of both genders) with their children, participated in an everyday-like quasi-experimental situation for 20 minutes. The participants were invited to build an object of their choice, using a range of available materials and tools. The children included 47 boys and 48 girls, between 3 and 5 year-old. In comparison with the parents, the educators encouraged the children more to explore and find their own solutions. Conversely, the parents helped their children by offering demonstrations and directions. When the educators and the parents were grouped by gender ("men" versus "women"), different opportunities were offered to boys and girls by male and female adults. Our study suggests that educators and parents serve as diverse, but complementary educational role models and provide different learning opportunities.

Interação e linguagem dirigida a crianças de quinze meses / Interaction et langage adressé aux enfants de quinze mois / Interacción y lenguaje dirigido a niños de 15 meses / Interaction and language directed at children aged 15 months

Neste estudo são comparadas a interação e a linguagem dirigida aos filhos(as) pelos pais e mães, para analisar as diferenças e semelhanças entre as díades. Para o efeito, foram videogravadas durante uma situação de brincadeira livre 80 díades - 40 crianças (25 meninas e 15 meninos) de 15 meses em interação com os respetivos pai e mãe. Os resultados revelam que não há diferenças significativas na forma de os pais e as mães interagirem com seus filhos e filhas. Contudo, observam-se diferenças na linguagem dirigida às crianças por pais e mães, em particular em comportamentos de nomeação e avaliação positiva. Para além das diferenças são de sublinhar correlação positiva quer na interação, quer na comunicação de pais que coabitam.

Cet étude compare l'interaction et la communication de père-enfant et de mère-enfant pour analyser les différences et les similitudes entre les dyades. Dans ce but, 80 dyades ont été filmées dans une situation de jeu libre - 40 enfants âgés de quinze mois en interaction à la fois avec son père et sa mère (25 garçons et 15 filles). Les résultats révèlent qu'il n'y a pas de différences significatives dans l'interaction des parents avec leurs enfants. Cependant, en ce qui concerne la communication, des différences ont été observées dans le langage adressé aux enfants par les parents, en particulier, dans les énoncés ciblant des noms et d'évaluation positive. Au-delà des différences, nous soulignons la corrélation positive trouvée soit dans l'interaction soit dans la communication entre des parents qui cohabitent.

En este estudio se comparan la interacción y la comunicación entre padre-hijo(a) y madre-hijo(a) con el objetivo de analizar las diferencias y similitudes entre las díadas. Para esto, se grabaron en vídeo durante una situación de juego libre 80 díadas con 40 niños de 15 meses en interacción con sus respectivos padre y madre. Los resultados revelan que no hay diferencias significativas en la manera en que los padres y las madres interactúan con sus hijos e hijas. Sin embargo, se observan diferencias en el lenguaje que los padres dirigen a los niños, en particular en comportamientos de nombrar y valoración positiva. Más que las diferencias, es notable la correlación positiva, ya sea en la interacción, ya sea en la comunicación de padres que cohabitan.

In this study we compare maternal and paternal interaction and speech directed to their children, in order to analyze differences and similitudes between the dyads. For that purpose, 80 dyads were taped in a free play situation ­ forty 15 months old children (25 girls, 15 boys) interacting with their parents. Results demonstrate no significant differences regarding the way mothers and fathers interact with their sons and daughters. However, differences in mothers versus fathers' style of communication toward their children were found, particularly naming and positive evaluation behaviors. Although differences were found, we underline positive correlation in interaction and communication of cohabiting parents.

[Physical exercise in the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis: a systematic review]. / Exercicio fisico no tratamento da Espondilite Anquilosante: uma revisao sistematica.

Physical exercise (PE) is a regular component in various disorders management, such as ankylosing spondilitis (AS). AS is a chronic and systematic rheumatic disorder without an effective treatment to restore the health. PE plays an important role on the prevention and management of the deformities related to AS. This review summarizes the randomized controlled trials that have examined the role of PE in AS patients' therapeutic process in order to promote an evidence based practise and to improve the AS patients care. Thirteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 1056 participants were identified in a Cochrane Central, Pubmed/ Medline and PEDro databases computer-based search. The quality assessment of the thirteen randomized controlled trial was 5,62 points in the PEDro scoring scale. Three trials assessed the effects induced by the addition of PE interventions to the medication program, three trials compared individualized home exercise with supervised group exercise, five trials compared alternative exercise programs (hydrotherapy and global posture reeducation) with traditional exercise programs usually recommended to treat AS patients, and two trials investigated the therapy effectiveness. The trials included in this review suggest that PE is a helpful therapy in the management of AS patients; PE should be performed in group under the physiotherapist supervision. New exercise-based approaches, hydrotherapy or global posture reeducation, offers promising results in the management of patients suffering AS.