• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 2017

Objective: This study examined the relationships among sleep problems, executive function and social behavior during the preschool period. In addition, the mediating role of executive function between sleep problems and social behavior was investigated. Methods: A total of 304 preschool children participated in this study. The data were collected through maternal reports. Results: First, preschoolers' sleep problems were found to be significantly related to overt aggression and prosocial behavior. Second, preschoolers with sleep problems displayed lower levels of executive function. Third, preschoolers' executive function was significantly associated with social behavior. Lastly, preschoolers' executive function fully mediated the relationship between sleep problems and overt aggression, and between sleep problems and prosocial behavior. That is, preschoolers' sleep problems had effects on overt aggression and prosocial behavior, only through the effects on executive function. Conclusion: This study contributes to the sleep literature by examining the role of executive function and emphasizes the importance of forming a healthy sleep habit during the preschool period.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.969-980
• /
• 2014

This paper reports on a study that examined the longitudinal and concurrent effects of the home literacy environment(HLE) on first grade language performance, and the effect of language performance on school adjustment. Study subjects were 469 first graders of 6 elementary schools. The parents' and teacher's reports were used to investigate the subjects' language performance, school adjustment, and the HLE before and after the elementary school entry. Findings from the study show that there is an association between the HLE during the preschool period and the HLE in first grade, and the HLE in first grade positively affects children's language performance. Also the children's language performance had a positive influence on their school adjustment. Therefore, it can be concluded that the HLE during the preschool period is a significant feature that lingers to affect children's language performance and school adjustment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.422-429
• /
• 2007

Measurement of lung function is an integral component of respiratory physiology and of clinical assessment of lung diseases in school age children and adults. Pulmonary function test of infants and children under the age of 2 years have now been standardised and are being used both in research and as an adjunct to clinical management. By contrast, until recegntly, children of preschool age, i.e. between 2-6 years represented a major challenge for pulmonary function test assessment, this particular period commonly being referred to as the 'dark ages' of Pediatric Pulmonology. Measurement of lung function in preschool-aged children is now feasible. However, much work remains to be done in standardizing how these tests are performed, and in understanding the most appropriate role for the various tests in the study of growth and development of the respiratory system and in the clinical management of children in this age group. As the field develops and the knowledge of respiratory physiology in this age group expands, investigation of different and more appropriate algorithm use in preschool children, together with development of more appropriate reference data, may result in improved disease discrimination.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.274-281
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the injury rates and risk factors for preschool children in Daegu city and Kyungpook province. Method : A questionnaire survey about medically attended injuries during the preschool period was performed in nine primary schools located in Daegu city, Pohang city and Goryung County. The overall injury rate was estimated using person-year. The causes and patterns of the injuries, and their risk factors were examined. Result : A total of 469 medically attended injuries were reported in 330 of the 959 study subjects during the preschool period. The overall annual injury rate was 7.5 per 100 children. The injury rate increased sharply during the period from infant (2.4) to 1 year of age (7.5), and the peak injury rate (9.2) was reported for 5 year olds. The most common causes of injuries were falling (36.0%), followed by being struck by an object (23.7%), and traffic accidents (14.1%). Among the traffic accidents, 72.8% occurred while playing on the road, riding a bicycle or roller-skating. A proportional hazard model showed that males (hazard ratio=1.49, p<0.001 compared with female) and the mother's higher education level (hazard ratio of college or higher= 1.51, p=0.013; high school=1.32, p=0.085 compared with those of middle school or lower) were significant risk factors of childhood injury. Conclusion : The results of this study suggested that efforts for children's safety should be made, especially from the toddler stage, and in male children. To develop a more specific childhood injury prevention program, a surveillance system for injuries should be established. Further study of the relationship between mother's occupation and injury rates is also needed.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.219-238
• /
• 2016

The purposes of this study were to examine relations among attachment security, playfulness, and social competence during the preschool period and to investigate relative effects of attachment security and playfulness on preschoolers' social competence. A total of forty eight 4-year-old preschool children participated in the current study. Attachment security was assessed using the Attachment Q-sort during a two- or two and half hour home visit. Preschoolers' playfulness and social competence were evaluated by mothers. First, preschoolers' attachment security was significantly associated with their interpersonal adjustment. Preschoolers with secure attachment were rated by their mothers as having higher interpersonal adjustment. In addition, preschoolers' playfulness was significantly related to popularity/leadership and social participation. Second, when preschoolers' attachment security and playfulness were entered together to predict social competence, attachment security and sense of humor were significant predictors of preschoolers' interpersonal adjustment, and social and cognitive spontaneity significantly predicted popularity/leadership. With respect to social participation, preschoolers' physical spontaneity was a significant predictor. Findings of this study indicate that attachment security and playfulness tap into different aspects of social competence, suggesting that both are needed to be emphasized in the development of social competence during the preschool period.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.168-172
• /
• 2005

The prevalence rate of Enterobius vermicularis eggs was investigated among preschool children located in the area of Iksan, Jeonbuk, during the period from March to July, 2005. Of the 1,082 children examined 78(7.2%) were found to be positive for E. vermicularis egg by the adhesive cellotape anal swab method. The egg positive rate of male and female were 6.7% and 7.8%, respectively. The positive rates range from 5.1% to 8.7% among preschool children, and the highest egg positive rate was observed in the 7 year old age group. Through this survey, it was determined that the E. vermicularis infection is still prevalent among children in Jeonbuk, Korea.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.9-27
• /
• 1993

As fermented milk has been regarded as health food, the consumption of fermented milk has been increasing significantly these days. But there is not sufficient information on the effect of fermented milk on oral health. We have investigated the effect of long-term intake of t\fermented milk on saliva in preschool children, Sixty-four healthy, unmedicated preschool children were included in this study and were divided into control, fermented milk, and milk groups. The experimental period was 210days. We investigated the number of slaivary S. mutans, lactobacilli, and Candida, salivary pH, viscosity, and the concentration of salivary IgA at the beginning of the experiment. We examined these parameters at 10, 60, 110, 160, and 210 days after. The obtained results were as follows : 1. There were increases in the numbers of slaivary S. mutans in all groups through the experimental period. But, there was no consistent and significant difference among groups. 2. There was no significant change in the number of salivary lactobacilli in the fermented milk group throughout the experimental period. 3. The numbers of salivary Candida in the fermented milk and milk groups showed less fluctuation than that of the control group through the experimental period. 4. There was no decrease of salivary pH in all groups through the experimental period. 5. There were increases in the values of salivary viscosity in all groups. But, there was no consistent and significant difference among groups. 6. There were no consistent and significant difference in the concentration of salivary IgA in all groups through the experimental period. 7. There were increases of dmfs rate in all groups. But, there were no significant difference within each groups.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.119-132
• /
• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relations of children's temperamental attributes (i.e., emotionality, activity, and sociability) and maternal responsiveness to overall and specific externalizing/internalizing behavior problems during the preschool period. Methods: Data (N=1,438) from the 4th and 6th wave of Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC) were used in a series of hierarchical regression analyses. The analyses were conducted to determine the additive and interactive effects of maternal responsiveness and temperamental attributes of children at the age of 3 years on the broadband and narrowband scales of their behavior problems at the age of 5 years. Results: Overall, results confirmed the additive and interactive effects of maternal responsiveness and temperamental attributes on the levels of different domains of behavior problems. Examination of the interactive effects showed that maternal responsiveness was more strongly related to some behavior problems for temperamentally vulnerable children as compared to children with less temperamental vulnerabilities. Conclusion: The findings suggested that the beneficial effects of positive parenting on the development of behavior problems might be more pronounced for temperamentally vulnerable than for less vulnerable children.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nutrient intake, screen time (television viewing and computer and/or video games) and physical activity on obesity in preschool children. Recruitment began in January 2008 by distributing letters to mothers who had children aged 6 years enrolled in daycare. Dietary intakes were obtained from the children's mothers, using the 24-hour recall method. The average height and weight of the children were 114.2 cm and 20.3 kg, respectively. Mean age, body weight, height and Kaup index were not significantly different between groups consisting of boys or girls. Assessment by the Kaup index showed that 14.0% of children were underweight, 69.0% were normal weight, 13.0% were overweight, and 4% were obese. The daily intakes of calcium, potassium, fiber, and folic acid in the group of boys were 77.7%, 58.5%, 80.4% and 88.9% respectively. as compared with the DRIs. The daily intakes of calcium, potassium, fiber, and folic acid in the group of girls were 77.7%, 58.5%, 80.4% and 88.9%, respectively. as compared with the DRIs. Intakes of protein, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and vitamin E were higher than the DRIs. There were no difference among 3 groups (underweight, normal, overweight) in energy or nutrient intake. Preschool children with screen time (TV viewing and computer and/or video games use time) of >2 hours per day had significantly higher Kaup index values, and intakes of energy, carbohydrate, folic acid and zinc. In conclusion, preschool children with reported screen time (TV viewing and computer and/or video games use time) of >2 hours per day were fatter. Therefore, we need further investigate the relation between diet and screen time in preschool children to improve future nutrition education programs. Further studies are required to explore the effects of food intake and screen time (TV viewing and computer and/or video games use time) over a longer period of time.

• Proceedings of the KSCN Conference
• /
• 2000.11a
• /
• pp.64-64
• /
• 2000