Challenges to early childhood education in rural China: lessons from the Hebei province

This research study examined the challenges faced by early childhood education (ECE) in rural China based on a qualitative study of 217 kindergarten classrooms in a large agricultural, rural province. This study utilised onsite teacher surveys, interviews, and observational field notes. This investigation's findings revealed important information in regard to (a) enrollment, class size, and student–teacher ratios; (b) facilities, basic furnishings, and materials; (c) teacher qualifications; and (d) curriculum and pedagogy. Kindergartens in the rural province of Hebei, typical of Chinese provinces with economically disadvantaged students and inadequate ECE funding, were found to be of poor quality across every ECE indicator measured. For the future improvement and well-being of children and their families in rural China, the authors recommend reform policy to increase ECE quality by affiliating quality kindergartens with existing elementary public school structures and to improve teacher quality by advancing teacher benefits, professional status, and professional development opportunities.     

湖南农村老年人睡眠障碍与焦虑、抑郁的相关性研究

目的：了解湖南农村老年人睡眠障碍的现状,并分析睡眠障碍与焦虑、抑郁的相关性。方法：采用整群抽样的方法抽取龙塘乡、清溪乡为研究现场,使用匹茨堡睡眠指数量表（PSQI）对符合要求的144例湖南农村老年人进行睡眠障碍的评定,采用焦虑自评量表（SAS）、抑郁自评量表（SDS）对老年人睡眠障碍的心理因素进行分析。结果：①所调查的144例农村老年人睡眠质量得分为（6.07±3.386）,其中,有睡眠障碍者为47人,占32.6％;②调查老年人中,有焦虑者41人,占28.4％,抑郁者47人,占32.3％;③老年睡眠障碍者焦虑19人,睡眠得分与焦虑、抑郁22人,睡眠得分与抑郁,均呈正相关,差异有统计学意义。结论：焦虑、抑郁对老年人睡眠障碍有较大影响,应积极制定相宜措施,促进农村老年人的睡眠健康。