Montessori-Based Activities as a Trans-Generational Interface for Persons with Dementia and Preschool Children

Montessori-based activities for persons with dementia have been used to successfully provide opportunities for programming between older adults and preschool children in shared site. intergenerational care programs. Such intergenerational programming allows older adults with dementia to fulfill roles of teacher or mentor to younger children or as collaborative workmates for persons with more advanced dementia while providing children with positive one-on-one interactions with older adults. We review several studies using this approach, describe characteristics of the programs, participants and results obtained and provide recommendations for those interested in extending this line of work.     

The Time Squeeze: Parental Statuses and Feelings About Time With Children

Policy makers, parents, and the public are concerned with perceived declines in parents’ time with children. Data from two national surveys (N = 1,159 and N = 821) used in this study show that nearly half of parents report feeling too little time with children. Work hours are strongly related to these feelings, even controlling for time spent with children, and explain why fathers more than mothers feel time strain. For fathers, those whose youngest child is an adolescent feel more strain than similarly situated mothers. Controlling for work hours, single parents are not more likely than married parents to feel that they spend insufficient time with children.     

论传统儿童游戏对特殊儿童的教育价值及实际应用

传统儿童游戏具有鲜明的民族风格和地域特色,对特殊儿童的体能、认知、社会性发展、情感等各方面的教育价值不可低估。文章探讨了传统儿童游戏在特殊教育中的价值以及应用,以便能更好地开发利用这一宝贵资源促进特殊儿童的教育。     

Computer Games and Simulations as Tools to Reach and Engage Adolescents in Health Promotion Activities

Summary

Computer games and simulations were used extensively in a comprehensive health promotion for adolescents. These strategies were used to attract adolescents to BARN (Body Awareness Resource Network), as well as helping to hold interest. In each of the six topic areas (AIDS, Alcohol and Other Drags, Body Management, Human Sexuality, Smoking and Stress Management) quiz games challenged users to test their knowledge on a topic. Simulations challenges users to apply health information in hypothetical situations. Games were a more important factor in selection of BARN for younger users than for older users. BARN game users were not more likely than non-game users to be isers of other computer or video games, nor did game users engage in more risk taking behaviors (e.g., alcohol and other drugs) than non-game users.     

Digital Dinosaurs and Artificial Life: Exploring the Culture of Nature in Computer and Video Games

Over the last 30 years, the computer and videogame has emerged as a popular recreational pastime. While often associated with the artificial and alien, it is my contention that the modern videogame informs on the subject of “nature” and what we consider to be natural. This article delineates some of the “natures” posited in computer game design. It provides a valuable overview of gaming culture and might serve as an introduction to further research on specific game genres. It argues that virtual worlds are currently serving a dual purpose, of reinforcing traditional stereotypes of the natural world (as “red in tooth” and claw or as a material resource), while gradually moving towards radical, new forms of “virtual” nature to contend with. It suggests that the mimicking of biological systems in computer games expresses both our lingering cultural interest in the “great outdoors” and a need to give familiarity and substance to an electronic medium marked by its failure to fit within traditional notions of space and geography.     

Policy and Provision for the Schooling of Children Living in Temporary Accommodation: Exploring the Difficulties

The schooling of children living in temporary accommodation presents difficulties for statutory authorities structured to cater for the needs of a settled population. Research to date confirms the poor progress in terms of improving policy, practice and services to meet the educational needs of this group of ‘children in need’ (The Children Act 1989). The difficulties involved in working together to provide access to schooling are examined in the light of recent changes to education and housing policies. Possibilities for improved provision are assessed, including initiatives under Children's Services Plans and models of good practice from Traveller Education.     

Implications of the Literature on Equine-Assisted Activities for Use as a Complementary Intervention in Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents

This article reviews the literature investigating psychosocial benefits of equine-assisted activities (EAA) for children and adolescents with physical, mental, and family challenges. It further analyzes implications for clinical social work practice in the use of EAA as complementary or adjunct interventions with these populations, thus addressing a gap in the literature on population-specific outcomes of EAA. As a contribution to methodology in future research, the conceptual analysis suggests that concurrent examination of complementary interventions across categories of special needs could add to the knowledge base concerning these children’s psychosocial status. Cross-domain investigations could also assess the contribution of each challenge to the status of children with multiple conditions.     

Leaning Out: Exploring Organizational Advocacy Activities From an Open Systems Perspective

This article explores the effect of organizational culture on engagement with advocacy activities, both traditional and electronic. The Competing Values Framework offers a model for understanding how organizations’ culture influences behavior. Using a sample of nonprofit providers from across the country, the author hypothesized that organizations that use electronic advocacy tools are more involved with advocacy activities of all types. A paper and pencil survey was used to collect data on organizational culture, advocacy tools and techniques, perceived effectiveness of the advocacy tools, policy goals, organizational sustainability goals as well as barriers and facilitators of electronic advocacy. The study used path modeling to describe the connections between organizational culture and engagement in advocacy activities. The article examines the barriers and facilitators of electronic advocacy, the penetration of electronic advocacy use in this sample of agencies and the perceptions of effectiveness associated with using these strategies; lastly, the implications of these findings for managers and organizational leaders are discussed.     

My Life-Long Involvement with Games

This essay draws on my own personal research and teaching experience with games to illustrate the many ways game simulations can further the sociological enterprise. Examples include the usefulness of games in research, teaching, negotiation, and conflict management, and as a resource for social change.     

Exploring the specific needs of an understudied group: Children with intellectual disability in residential child care

Children and adolescents who live in out of home care in the child protection system are considered to be vulnerable to manifesting mental health disorders as well as other types of difficulties. This risk is greater in the case of children who display any type of disability. The aim of this study is to profile the state of health and well-being of a group of children presenting intellectual disability who live in residential care in a Spanish autonomous community and to compare these results with their non-disabled peers.     

Responsibility for Feelings: A Multilateral Approach to Causation

The multilateral approach to causation posits four possible causes which need to be considered in the assessment and treatment of discord between partners in a primary relationship. These causes include the precipitating event, the reaction of a person to the precipitating event, the interactional dynamics of the partners, and the goals and objectives of the relationship which are being frustrated. A multilateral approach permits a person to accept his or her own legitimate responsibility for behavior and feelings without a responsibility "underload" or "overload." The use of multilateral causation is intended as a therapeutic safeguard against oversimplification.     

Exploring Mental Health Adjustment of Children Post Sexual Assault in South Africa

Large numbers of children are affected by child sexual abuse in South Africa. This study aimed to assess psychological adjustment of children post sexual assault. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with caretakers, and structured interviews using mental health assessment screening tools were given to children at three intervals over a five-month period after presentation at a sexual assault center. Almost half of the children met clinical criteria for anxiety, and two-thirds met criteria for full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder two to four weeks post disclosure. With standard care, we observed some recovery; 43.3% of children still met full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder nearly six months postdisclosure. Our findings indicate that current practice in South Africa does not promote adequate recovery for children.     

Exploring Birth Countries: The Mental Health Implications of Heritage Travel for Children/Adolescents Adopted Internationally

Heritage trips are increasingly recognized as beneficial for children adopted internationally for myriad reasons. For example, a large percentage of adults adopted transracially during childhood report birth country travel to be a critical aspect to their ultimate development of positive racial identity. Although generally perceived to be a helpful experience for youth and families, heritage travel is not always without psychological distress. This article describes the theoretical basis for heritage travel, reviews the emerging literature on the mental health impact of heritage trips, and provides anecdotal vignettes to highlight mental health considerations and implications for heritage travel.