Tagged: children

Studies suggest no causal link between young children’s screen time and later symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity - Hot off the press

Guest Author • Nov 15, 2021 •

• ADHD,
• children,
• New Zealand stories,
• screen time

Maria Corkin, University of Auckland   The possibility that screen time during early childhood could cause poorer attention later in a child’s life is a major concern for both parents and researchers. Earlier studies have suggested links between preschoolers’ screen time and difficulties with attention. But there is by no means consensus among the research community that such a relationship … Read More

How to help your child get the most protection out of their face mask - COVID-19

Guest Author • Nov 12, 2021 •

• aerosols,
• children,
• COVID-19,
• masks,
• New Zealand stories

Joel Rindelaub, University of Auckland   With many children around the country required to wear masks in classrooms, including those as young as eight in Victoria, parents are wondering how they can support their kids’ mask use. Schools are a breeding ground for respiratory viruses. When a large number of people are gathered together for extended periods of time … Read More

Children live online more than ever – we need better definitions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ screen time - News

Guest Author • Oct 11, 2021 •

• children,
• gaming,
• New Zealand stories,
• screentime

Kathryn MacCallum, University of Canterbury and Cheryl Brown, University of Canterbury   The pandemic has fundamentally altered every part of our lives, not least the time we spend on digital devices. For young people in particular, the blurred line between recreational and educational screen time presents new challenges we are only beginning to appreciate. Even before COVID, there were concerns … Read More

Improving ventilation in schools: a key protection against Covid-19 outbreaks and an enduring legacy for healthier learning - Public Health Expert

Public Health Expert • Sep 10, 2021 •

• children,
• COVID-19,
• New Zealand stories,
• schools,
• ventilation

Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Dr Julie Bennett, Dr Jin Russell, Dr Jennifer Summers, Dr Leah Grout, Prof Michael Baker, and Prof Nick Wilson* As much of the country moves down Alert Levels, children are returning to in-person learning with little or no protection against the potential spread of Covid-19 infection in schools. It is therefore critical that ventilation is improved in … Read More

Taking the circus to school: How kids benefit from learning trapeze, juggling and unicycle in gym class - Hot off the press

Guest Author • Aug 06, 2021 •

• children,
• circus skills,
• physical education

Marion Cossin, Université de Montréal   Twelve public schools in Winnipeg are currently operating circus programs in physical education. Circus arts have been gaining popularity in schools around the world. Added to physical education programs, circus arts instruction not only seems to motivate children to exercise, but also has the potential to develop other abilities beyond the physical. My … Read More

Kids set free to roam on their own feel more confident navigating in adulthood - Hot off the press

Guest Author • Jul 30, 2021 •

• children,
• COVID-19,
• navigating,
• roaming

Vanessa Vieites, Rutgers University   The distance from home that kids are allowed to roam and play has shrunk significantly over the last 50 years. That’s largely due to parents’ concerns over safety, especially in cities. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has further restricted children’s independent activity. As a Ph.D. student in psychology, I studied factors … Read More

Best evidence suggests antidepressants aren’t very effective in kids and teens. What can be done instead? - Hot off the press

Guest Author • May 25, 2021 •

• adolescents,
• children,
• Depression,
• New Zealand stories

Sarah Hetrick, University of Auckland; Joanne McKenzie, Monash University; Nick Meader, University of York, and Sally Merry, University of Auckland   Even before COVID-19 lockdowns, school closures and strict social distancing, depression was on the rise in children and teenagers around the globe. By the age of 19, around 25% of adolescents are estimated to have experienced a … Read More

Time to make nature studies a compulsory school subject – before it’s too late - The Changing Climate

Guest Author • Mar 22, 2021 •

• Biodiversity,
• children,
• education,
• Environment,
• Nature

Matthew Adams, University of Brighton The UK government is reported to be seriously considering making “nature studies” a compulsory subject for all pupils. It’s a move that was recommended in the recent government-commissioned Dasgupta review, a detailed analysis of the “economics of biodiversity”. The review is long and technical, but in among the tables and statistics, there are … Read More

The demise of Project Energize in the Waikato - Guest Work

Guest Author • Feb 04, 2021 •

• children,
• Exercise,
• Health,
• nutrition,
• schools

Emeritus Professor Elaine Rush, Auckland University of Technology New Zealand is a world leader in many things, but health promotion and disease prevention, particularly for children, is not one of them. One exception is the long-running Project Energize programme in the Waikato.  Every year for the last sixteen years, Project Energize worked with up to 240 schools attended by 40,000 … Read More

The SMC Video Competition: The DREAM Study - Guest Work

Guest Author • Aug 27, 2020 •

• children,
• Diet,
• Exercise,
• Obesity,
• science communication,
• sleep,
• video competition

Recently, the Science Media Centre ran the first round of its 2020 SAVVY Video Competition for science researchers. With twelve entries, ranging from infant nutrition to the science of bell-ringing, we judges were incredibly impressed by the creativity and quality of submissions. This week, we’re featuring the work of runner-up prize winner, Dr Cherie Stayner. Introducing the Diet, … Read More