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Temporal aspects of child and adolescent time allocation in diverse cultural settings have been difficult to model using conventional statistical techniques. A new statistical approach, Egocentric Relational Event Modelling (EREM), allows for the simultaneous modelling of activity frequency, duration, and sequencing. Here, EREM is applied to a focal follow dataset of Congolese BaYaka forager child and adolescent play and work activities. Results show that, as children age, they engage in less frequent and extended play bouts and more frequent and extended work bouts. Bout frequency and duration were a more sensitive measure for early sex differences than overall time allocation. Sequential patterns of work and play suggest that these activities have short-term energetic trade-offs. This article demonstrates that EREM can reveal stable and variable patterns in child development.

The importance of collaborative practice between those who provide services to children with special educational needs is now regarded as essential and is supported strongly by the UK government. However, joint working is often difficult to implement, despite the goodwill of all involved. This paper describes a pilot study aimed at developing collaboration between a local education authority and a National Health Service (NHS) Trust. It reports on the results of the evaluation and discusses aspects of the project that facilitated collaborative working between the various parties involved. (Contains 3 tables.)

Prescribing for children and young people highlights many complex issues that may not be relevant in other fields of non-medical prescribing. Ongoing changes to legislation pose challenges, requiring paediatric non-medical prescribers to be vigilant in their daily prescribing practice. This article aims to address pertinent challenges and barriers frequently seen in prescribing for children and young people, including not only organisational and human factors, but also legal issues, controversial prescribing, education, the impact of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, and how that has influenced the rise in childhood obesity, in itself an important element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A–Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in schools [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of the structure and functions of the renal system • To recognise some of the renal conditions that may be seen in children and to understand how these are managed • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) This article, the 15th and last in a series on the biological basis of child health, focuses on the renal system, in particular the kidneys. It provides an overview of their role, function, anatomy and physiology, and embryological development. The renal system has a crucial role in homeostasis, so renal function impairment can have wide-ranging and potentially serious consequences for a child's overall health. The article describes some of the common renal conditions seen in children and how these are managed. It explains how to interpret the results of renal function tests and urine sampling conducted to assess renal function and to investigate acute and chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of the structure and main functions of the skin • To understand the aetiology, manifestations and management of skin conditions commonly seen in children • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) This article, the 13th in a series on the biological basis of child health, focuses on the skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body and covers its whole outer surface, protecting it from external threats, assisting in retaining body fluids, eliminating waste products and regulating temperature. The skin also has a crucial role in wound healing and vitamin D synthesis. Skin conditions in children are often distressing for children and parents, and may significantly affect their everyday lives. This article explains how the skin develops in utero, describes the structure and functions of the skin, and explores the aetiology, manifestations and management of skin conditions commonly seen in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the anatomy and pathophysiology of the endocrine system aimed to enhance the nurses' knowledge of this system, including its functioning and the conditions that young people are likely to experience when it malfunctions. Topics covered include the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they secrete, the effects of hormones on normal functions of the human body, and the presentation and management of the most common endocrinopathies in children.

The article focuses on the composition, functions and formation of blood and common blood disorders in children. It outlines the embryonic development of blood cells, occurrence of haemopoiesis and blood count values for different age groups. It explains signs and symptoms, causes and risks for and effects of low blood cell counts on children. Information is provided on blood groups, blood transfusions and disorders such as anaemia, sickle cell disease, clotting, haemophilia and blood cancer.

The article provides an overview of the embryological development of the liver and clinical features of childhood liver disease. It outlines characteristics of the liver's anatomy and explains functions of the liver including synthesis of the bile and coagulation factors and glucose generation. Information is provided on liver function tests, liver disease in children such as jaundice, biliary atresia, pruritus and hepatic encephalopathy, and developments in children's liver transplantation.

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of the development of the gastrointestinal (GI) system • To understand the causes and management of various GI conditions that infants and children may present with • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) This article is the eighth in a series on the biological basis of child health. It describes the embryological development of the gastrointestinal (GI) system and some of the structural anomalies that may arise during that time and later affect GI functioning. The article also discusses the functions of the GI tract – including ingestion, digestion, absorption and defecation – and explains how these relate to GI conditions seen in infants and children. GI conditions are common in childhood and some of these will be medical emergencies, so it is important that children's nurses have knowledge of the GI system and of the presentation and management of GI conditions in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A–Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in schools [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the sixth in a series on the biological basis of child health. It provides an overview of the development of the skeletal system before and after birth, and outlines the potential congenital anomalies that may occur. The article explains the structure and function of the bones before describing the role of the joints, tendons and ligaments. It also outlines the presentation and management of some of the common orthopaedic conditions seen in infants and children, including fractures, osteogenesis imperfecta, scoliosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, developmental dysplasia of the hip and achondroplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children and young people referred to paediatric endocrinology services present with a wide range of illnesses and disorders varying from minor to life-threatening conditions. This article introduces the role of the children's endocrine nurse in caring for children and families undergoing investigations that are frequently undertaken to identify specific problems associated with pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands. Although children with endocrine problems may be cared for in specialist centres, they may also present, for other health reasons, in secondary and primary care. In schools some children may need teachers to administer emergency medication. There is a high incidence of children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency and an even higher incidence of congenital hypothyroidism. These children would benefit from health professionals having a broader understanding of their conditions. This article - the third in the endocrinology nursing series - aims to disseminate information and educate colleagues in children's nursing to raise the profile of children with long-term endocrine conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present article, we introduce the continuous unified electronic (CUE) diary method, a longitudinal, event-based, electronic parent report method that allows real-time recording of infant and child behavior in natural contexts. Thirty-nine expectant mothers were trained to identify and record target behaviors into programmed handheld computers. From birth to 18 months, maternal reporters recorded the initial, second, and third occurrences of seven target motor behaviors: palmar grasp, rolls from side to back, reaching when sitting, pincer grip, crawling, walking, and climbing stairs. Compliance was assessed as two valid entries per behavior: 97 % of maternal reporters met compliance criteria. Reliability was assessed by comparing diary entries with researcher assessments for three of the motor behaviors: palmar grasp, pincer grip and walking. A total of 81 % of maternal reporters met reliability criteria. For those three target behaviors, age of emergence was compared across data from the CUE diary method and researcher assessments. The CUE diary method was found to detect behaviors earlier and with greater sensitivity to individual differences. The CUE diary method is shown to be a reliable methodological tool for studying processes of change in human development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor in response to a continuing professional development article by Kate Davies and Jacqueline Collin published in a previous issue, and a response from Davies and Collin to this letter are presented.