Young children's explanations of pictoral humor: a preliminary study

One aspect of child humor development ‐‐ children's explanations of pictoral humor ‐‐ was examined in relation to the Visual Humor Categories, a 4‐category system to describe humor responses. Thirty children aged 4, and 30 children aged 6, explained what they found to be funny in 2 humorous pictures. Results indicated that all explanations were accommodated by the Visual Humor Categories, and that the explanations differed by category type for the two age groups. Surprisingly, the explanations also differed by gender. It is concluded that the Visual Humor Categories is a useful developmental approach for examining children's understanding of pictoral humor, and further study is recommended.     

Using Humor to Help Children With Pain

Humor has become a popular topic in health care recently. One of the suggested benefits is to help control pain. Although no scientific research to date has validated this effect, there is some theoretical and empirical support for the use of humor especially with children. Methods to implement the uses of humor in a clinical setting are suggested inappropriate uses of humor are also discussed. The need for scientific research is stressed.     

Using Humor to Help Children With Pain

Humor has become a popular topic in health care recently. One of the suggested benefits is to help control pain. Although no scientific research to date has validated this effect, there is some theoretical and empirical support for the use of humor especially with children. Methods to implement the uses of humor in a clinical setting are suggested inappropriate uses of humor are also discussed. The need for scientific research is stressed.     

Humor's healing potential

In the past three decades the medical world has begun to take more serious notice of the healing power of humor and the positive emotions associated with it. Humor and laughter are currently being employed by psychotherapists and other care givers as tools to promote and maintain health, as well as intervention and rehabilitation tools for a host of maladies and illnesses related to stress and life-style. Although this empirical medical approach is relatively new, the study of humor has revealed a complex psychological phenomenon. Senses of humor have been categorized in types associated with personality. Humor has many styles and can be found in almost any situation, on any occasion. Theories of humor include the superiority theory, the incongruity theory, the release/relief theory, and the divinity theory. Laughter has many clinical benefits, promoting beneficial physiological changes and an overall sense of well-being. Humor even has long-term effects that strengthen the effectiveness of the immune system. In healthcare, humor therapy can help relieve stress associated with disease and illness. It serves as a diversionary tactic, a therapeutic tool for disorders such as depression, and a coping mechanism. It also is a natural healing component for care givers trying to cope with the stress and personal demands of their occupations.     

The use of humor in promoting positive provider-patient interactions in a hospital rehabilitation unit

Humor within the health care setting apparently can serve to facilitate positive patient-provider interactions and to create a patient-centered environment. This article provides an ethnographic account of patient-provider interactions held during therapeutic activity sessions within a hospital unit (MIRTH) designed to promote therapeutic humor. This study's findings suggest that humor in these activity sessions was mainly a by-product of more predominant effects, such as patients' positive attitude and happiness. Whereas MIRTH used contrived humor to portray its identity as a humor unit, staff and patients also took advantage of spontaneous humor that emerged out of interactions. Humor appeared secondary to the primary outcome of promoting patients' happiness and well being.     

广东省2002年学龄前儿童生长发育状况及评价

目的 了解广东省学龄前儿童生长发育状况，为进一步改善学龄前儿童生长发育水平提供科学依据。方法 利用2002年广东省居民营养与健康状况调查，获取6岁以下儿童共3569名体检资料，并进行描述性分析。采用世界卫生组织(WHO)推荐使用的参考标准，对儿童体格发育进行评价。结果 男童生长发育状况优于女童。城市儿童优于农村儿童。肥胖发生率城市高于农村，其中0-1岁女童及4-6岁男童肥胖率较高，分别为7．8％，9．8％；消瘦率、低体重率、生长发育迟缓率农村明显高于城市，其中消瘦率以0-1岁年龄段最高；低体重、生长发育迟缓发生情况相似，男童均以4-6岁年龄段最高，女童均以2-3岁年龄段最高。结论 6岁以下农村儿童生长发育和营养状况令人担忧，应尽早采取干预措施，改善环境因素。     

The Use of Humor in Promoting Positive Provider-Patient Interactions in a Hospital Rehabilitation Unit

Humor within the health care setting apparently can serve to facilitate positive patient-provider interactions and to create a patient-centered environment. This article provides an ethnographic account of patient-provider interactions held during therapeutic activity sessions within a hospital unit (MIRTH) designed to promote therapeutic humor. This study's findings suggest that humor in these activity sessions was mainly a by-product of more predominant effects, such as patients' positive attitude and happiness. Whereas MIRTH used contrived humor to portray its identity as a humor unit, staff and patients also took advantage of spontaneous humor that emerged out of interactions. Humor appeared secondary to the primary outcome of promoting patients' happiness and well being.     

南京市4~12岁儿童1分钟读数字能力调查与分析

目的 构建南京市4~12岁儿童1 min读数字参照标准,为评价儿童阅读相关能力提供依据。方法 2017年4月以南京市570例幼儿园和小学儿童为研究对象,调查4~12岁儿童的1 min读数字的速度与准确度。结果 1)各年龄组读数的多少随着年龄的增长有上升趋势,4~10岁增幅较大,10~12岁趋于平稳;2)4~10岁每两个年龄层之间儿童1 min读数的多少间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),10~12岁每两个年龄层间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);3)男女读数能力之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论 读数字能力是儿童阅读能力的一项重要参照指标,本研究结果可为评价儿童阅读能力提供参照标准,为临床医生和教育者识别潜在阅读困难的儿童提供依据。     

Humor in hospice care: who, where, and how much?

Humor has been identified as an intrinsic social phenomenon occurring in all groups throughout human history. It is among the most prevalent forms of human social behavior yet one of the least understood or defined. Although researchers in a number of disciplines have studied the effects of humor on patients, limited work has focused on end-of-life care. The present study investigated social interactions involving humor in hospice settings using nonparticipant observation. Results revealed that humor was present in 85 percent of 132 observed nurse-based hospice visits. Of these, hospice patients initiated humor 70 percent of the time. These findings were consistent regardless of hospice setting. Humor was spontaneous and frequent, and instances of humorous interactions were a prevalent part of everyday hospice work.     

More than just play: The significance of mutually directed adult-child activity

In much current writing on developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs, emphasis is laid on the importance for young children's development and learning of spontaneous, self-initiated exploration and autonomous play (e.g. Bredekamp, 1987; Rogers & Sawyers, 1988. Adults are seen in this literature as setters of the stage for children and as responsive facilitators of children's activities. They are seldom seen as initiators of those activities or even particularly as co-explorers with children. Yet there is evidence that where adults actively engage with children in mutual pursuits -- especially everyday, family-style pursuits -- there is enhancement of children's social, emotional and cognitive development. Some of this evidence, drawn from both past and current studies, is presented.

The paper reviews a number of factors that appear to lie behind the present emphasis, in early childhood programs, on child rather than adult direction of activity, especially play. The proposal is advanced that young children's development and learning in a variety of settings would be better served and a more balanced curriculum achieved if adult roles as initiators and partners -- not only facilitators -- were recognized in a wide variety of activities -- not only play.

At an earlier time, it is suggested, children's developmental needs and individual interests were often largely disregarded as adults attempted to determine, in form and detail, the educational progress of their young tabulae rasae. The pendulum swing in educational theory is now giving central place, in the search for developmental appropriateness, to the autonomy of the child. This paper proposes a position between these two extremes, in order to draw more fully on the range of capacities of both adults and children. In short, it suggests that while retaining the baby and the bathwater, it is important not to throw mother (or caregiver or teacher) out instead.     

江苏省1~6岁儿童名词发展的特征研究

目的 通过对江苏省1~6岁儿童语言名词发展的现状研究,了解不同年龄组、性别组儿童名词理解及表达的特征和规律。方法 运用《1~6岁儿童语言发育评估量表》的名词测试部分,对随机抽样的1 121名儿童进行测试。结果 1)儿童最先习得身体部位名称,其次为物品及玩具名称,最后习得上位词等抽象名词;2)名词理解通过的P₇₅的相当年龄是2岁;P₉₀是2.5岁;3)名词表达通过的P₇₅的相当年龄是2.5岁;P₉₀是3岁;4)女生的平均得分明显高于男生(P<0.005)。结论 1~6岁儿童名词发展具有特定的习得顺序,并存在年龄界值及性别差异,这对促进儿童语言的早期发展和早期干预具有重要意义。     

Humor as a means of regulating one's social self: two infants with unique humorous personas

This study investigated the humorous activity of two infants, 18 and 21 months old, in their infant group childcare setting. This was a qualitative study that followed two infants for four months. Through participant and non-participant observations, journal writing and interviews, data were collected on children's involvement in humorous activity. The findings suggest that the two infants were involved in producing and appreciating incongruities as well as empowering themselves by violating the rules within their childcare setting. At the same time there were distinct differences in the way they were involved in humorous events. Personal social knowledge and reactions from caregivers impacted their humorous behaviors. An individual profile is constructed for each child that points out their uniqueness and their personal way of regulating their social self through the production and appreciation of humor.     

Humor in child care: The double-edged sword

Humor is a valuable resource in child care work. It can be conceptualized as a double-edged sword, capable of constructive or destructive functions. The article examines the functions of humor and suggests six conditions that promote constructive humor.     

儿童补锌与生长发育相关性研究

目的:探讨儿童补锌对血锌水平的影响及与儿童体重、身高、智商等发育的相关关系。方法:用分层加单纯随机抽样的方法对抽取的168例儿童进行体格检查、血锌浓度测定、智商测定,并问卷调查儿童饮食、补锌等情况,采用SPSS10.0版统计软件进行多元线性回归分析。结果:①本组168例儿童血锌平均浓度为58.98μmol/L,正常血锌儿童占75.0%,低血锌儿童占25.0%。②儿童血锌水平与性别无关,与年龄有高度显著性差异(χ2=20.08,P<0.01),3~6岁儿童缺锌比例较7~12岁儿童高。③血锌水平影响儿童体重、身高发育,低血锌儿童体重、身高发育指标低于正常的比例高(χ2=24.52,P<0.01,χ2=29.03,P<0.01,)。④影响血锌水平的因素主要为饮食与补锌情况。⑤影响智商的因素为血锌水平与补锌情况。结论:正常饮食儿童低血锌比例低,偏食、挑食、厌食是引起血锌偏低的主要因素,血锌水平影响智商高低。科学对待儿童缺锌与补锌,理性对待广告宣传,纠正不良饮食习惯是保障儿童锌营养的关键。     

孤独症儿童语言水平探究

目的 分析4岁左右孤独症儿童语言发育的情况及与同龄正常儿童的差距。方法 1)利用词汇掌握量表测量103例正常儿童和100例孤独症儿童词汇掌握情况。2)利用儿童孤独症评定量表(CARS)、孤独症行为检查量表(ABC)、词汇掌握量表对孤独症儿童语言能力进行测量,并计算三种测量方法的相关性。结果 孤独症儿童与正常儿童在各类词汇掌握上均有显著性差异(P<0.01),且各类词汇损伤程度变化一致。词汇掌握情况与CARS、 ABC中语言能力的得分呈显著正相关。结论 3.5~4.5岁孤独症儿童语言能力显著低于同龄正常儿童,词汇掌握呈现“一损俱损”的模式。利用CARS,ABC以及词汇掌握量表测量孤独症儿童语言能力的方法是可靠的。     

南京市学龄前儿童视觉运动整合发育测验评估及相关因素分析

目的 对南京市学龄前儿童视觉运动整合能力发育情况进行调查,分析相关影响因素,为学龄前儿童的视觉运动整合临床工作提供参考。方法 2017年3—5月采用分层随机抽样的方法抽取南京市主城区6所幼儿园483名学龄前儿童,调查基本情况并进行视觉-运动整合发育测验评估。结果 1)随着儿童年龄增长,视觉运动整合能力原始得分呈上升趋势;2)各年龄组标准分性别间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);3)除6岁8月~6岁9月组除外,各年龄组标准分均高于美国常模,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);4)儿童学习舞蹈、乐器、父母文化水平因素与儿童视觉运动整合能力之间相关系数均在0.11~0.13之间,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 视觉运动整合能力随年龄增长而提高,无性别差异,且与儿童学习舞蹈、乐器、父母文化水平因素存在一定的相关性。     

The use of cynical humor by medical staff: implications for professionalism and the development of humanistic qualities in medicine

Humor and laughter in medicine has received much attention in the medical literature. The use of humor by medical students, residents and medical personnel is not uncommon. Laughter can be therapeutic, for patients and practitioners alike. However, when inappropriately directed towards patients humor can be seen as unprofessional, disrespectful and dehumanizing. How physicians interpret their day-to-day professional experiences, and when and how they use humor is influenced by the perspective that is taken, the social distance from the event, culture and context. Some argue that social and physical distance makes it more acceptable to laugh and joke about patients, but not everyone agrees. To laugh with and not at others is the appropriate use of humor in medicine. To cry against the suffering of others and the injustice behind that suffering and not with them in their agony and frustration is the appropriate response to tragedy.     

颜氏第三代立体视觉检查图在学龄前儿童近立体视检查中的应用评价

目的 分析颜氏第三代立体视觉检查图(YRDS3)对学龄前儿童的适用性,为儿童近立体视检查方法的选择提供参考。方法 采用横断面调查,整群抽取海淀区5所幼儿园3~6岁1 021名儿童,进行视力、眼位、YRDS3和Titmus近立体视检查,按视力和眼位是否正常分为正常儿童组和异常儿童组,对两种立体视检查方法的立体视锐度结果进行统计学分析,观察各年龄段儿童立体视分布特征,比较两组儿童立体视分布差异及两种检查方法的一致性。结果 3岁儿童YRDS3的检查成功率86.0%,4岁儿童93.9%;视力和眼位正常组和异常组儿童两种立体视检查的立体视分布比较,差异均有统计学意义(Z=3.891, 4.376,P<0.05);正常组3~岁、4~岁、5~岁和6~岁儿童Titmus的P₉₅值分别为200″、100″、60″和70″,YRDS3的P₉₅值分别为91″、60″、60″和60″;对于6岁以上儿童,YRDS3结果与Titmus结果具有一致性(Z=1.732,P>0.05)。结论 YRDS3适用于学龄前儿童,3~4岁儿童的立体视锐度已达60″,支持郭静秋关于儿童立体视成熟期为3岁的结论。     

Children's humor: Implications for teaching

Humorous play appears to enhance the development of young children. Major characteristics of early humor based on the child's level of developmental mastery, are described in an extensive review of the literature. Characteristics of playfulness, experimentation, and incongruous comparisons are discussed as well as, the area of social conditions comprised of safety cues, play cues, group contagion and playful models. A conceptual model of humorous play is proposed to portray the interaction of major characteristics as children engage in their humorous productions. Teachers may use the Humorous Play Assessment Chart presented in the paper to help determine the extent areas of their own early childhood programs foster humorous play.     

Health for the school aged: a fledgeling concern

Despite acknowledging India's crucial need for health education for school aged children, government institutions have failed to provide the necessary support. Past experience has shown that while the government has drafted policy statements concerning school health, scant action has followed. What little has been done consists primarily of perfunctory medical check-ups of school children, a service mostly limited to urban centers. Evident from the current status of health education for the school aged, several changes must take place: 1) Government institutions must reach a consensus regarding the content of school health services. Since school health is intended to improve both children's health status and cognitive capability, such a service demands a comprehensive program that includes regular and complete health surveillance. And it also means that the schools themselves must be healthy environments, and that teachers must serve as role models of good health. 2) School health efforts must involve and be supported by the parents and the community. 3) Government policies must take into account children who are not attending school. This means both a long-term policy to solve the problem of drop-outs and a short-term policy of providing non formal education -- including health education -- for these children. 4) Of critical importance, the health and education sectors need to work together; they must have "joint responsibility." 5) A related issue is that both the health and education sectors accord a low priority to the issue of school health -- something that needs to change. 6) Finally, the government must change its generally weak commitment to providing school health services.