education consistently predicted the quality of mother-child engagements.
* Tamis-LeMonda, C and others, Child Development 75 (6): 1806-1820, Dec 2004. Abstract: www.blackwell-synergy.com
Could nursery rhymes cause violent behaviour? A comparison with television viewing Data regarding viewing habits, and the amount of violence on British TV, were obtained from Ofcom. A compilation of nursery rhymes was analysed for episodes of violence by number and type. Television has 4.8 violent scenes per hour and nursery rhymes have 52.2 violent scenes per hour. The researchers conclude that laying the blame solely on television viewing is simplistic and may divert attention from vastly more complex societal problems.
* Davies, P and others, Archives of Disease in Childhood 89(12): 1103-1105, Dec 2004. Abstract: www.bmjjournals.com
Imaginary companions: An evaluation of parents as reporters Examines the correspondence between parents' reports and children's descriptions of imaginary companions or pretend friends. Results suggest parents may be better reporters of normative developmental processes that are slightly atypical than those that are common to most children.
* Gleason, T R, Infant and Child Development, 13 (3): 199-216, Sept 2004.
Abstract: www.wileyeurope.com
Implementation of recommendations for the care of children in UK emergency departments: national postal questionnaire survey In 1999 a comprehensive review of A&E services for children made 32 essential recommendations to be implemented by 2004, but many still fail to meet the minimum standards. A new study looked at 139 emergency departments, seeing more than 18,000 children per year, and found further failings and lack of facilities and staff training. More structured investment is vital if we are to provide our children with proper emergency care, the researchers conclude.
* Salter, A and Maconochie, I K, BMJ On-line 3 Dec 2004. Article: www.bmjjournals.com 'Online first'.
It showed that a quarter of departments do not have separate triage facilities for children, and 36% of A&E consultants have not had specialist training in paediatric emergency care. Of those with paediatric triage facilities, 23% do not use an appropriately trained nurse to carry out the assessment. Researchers also found that the number of hospitals providing for children in major incident plans had fallen to just over 10% of those surveyed in 2004. More structured investment is vital if we are to provide our children with proper emergency care, the researchers conclude.
* Salter, A and Maconochie, I K, BMJ On-line 3 Dec 2004. Article: www.bmjjournals.com "Online first".
