The promotion of self-directed learning in Pre-school: Reflection on teachers' professional practice

A learning environment that offers the opportunity for the child to explore the world, express him/herself and use everyday life as a learning experience forms the basis for a child’s self-directed learning. This research’s objective is to discover the determining factors of the child's self-directed learning, revealing the challenges faced by the teachers in organizing self-directed learning process. This is a phenomenological research study, designed as a mixed sequential qualitative and quantitative study, which implies a qualitative processing of the initial data. 150 teachers from different regions and cities of Latvia completed the survey. The interviews were conducted with seven participants. In this study, 50 self-assessments of pre-school teachers were analysed focusing on the quality of their professional activity. We discovered a shift in teachers' understanding of their professional pedagogical activity, its content and implementation methods related to metacognitive abilities, in order to effectively plan, organize and evaluate their pedagogical strategies. Keywords: pre-school; child's self-directed learning; teaching.

Feeding Twins with Human Milk and Factors Associated with Its Duration: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study in Southern Italy

Background: Over the past year, there has been a rise in twin births. The current scientific consensus recommended breast-feed milk for all newborns for at least 6 months. They stated that it is possible to meet the nutritional needs of two or more newborns with only one mother’s milk. More information would be desirable about the factors that influence or lead to the initiation and interruption of breastfeeding. The quality of the evidence available from multiple studies has been inconclusive and therefore led to controversial interpretations and practices. Aims: The first aim of this study was to analyze the extent of the feeding of multiples with breast milk in the experience of our clinical unit in terms of incidence and duration. The second objective was to evaluate the correlation between maternal, perinatal and neonatal variables with breast milk feeding rates and duration. Methods: The study was conducted between 2015 and 2020, in a NICU in Southern Italy (San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia). Sixty-one women who have given birth to multiples were enrolled into the study. Newborn data were retrospectively collected by informatic database and breastfeeding information were collected by a questionnaire. Results: In our centre, the percentage of twins out of the total number of births over the years has almost doubled from 1.28% in 2015 to 2.48% in 2020 and the 88% of twins are premature. 18.1% received breast milk for more than 6 months and 6.3% received it for more than 12 months. Infants of lower gestational age and weight, born to multiparous, more mature and medium-high schooling mothers received breast milk for a longer period. 35% of women explained that the interruption of breastfeeding was due to the insufficient milk production and 41% to the stress and difficulties in managing the twins. Qualitative analysis of maternal narrative revealed, for many of them, the awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and the efforts made to try to give breast milk, but also fears about the quantity of milk and satiety of their children. Conclusions: It is important to identify the factors both favoring and obstructing maternal milk feeding of multiples and it would be desirable the activation of a network of training and support for mothers after discharge, with particular regard to the categories found to be less inclined.

A Satellite Town Development for Ambad MIDC Nashik

The concept of a satellite town is not a new one in India. Many efforts were made during the British era, and following independence, the Indian government made large-scale initiatives through policies, acts, and corporate partnerships. As is well acknowledged, India is experiencing rapid urbanization, resulting in city expansion and pseudo-urbanization due to land constraints. As a result, the satellite town concept must be implemented in order to develop new urban space, limit city boundaries, maximize land utilization, and raise the livability index of the city in order to attract investment. The study takes a multi-level approach, including a review of the literature, policies to better understand parameters, the identification of a new town site, and mitigation techniques. Following the identification of the area, a qualitative and quantitative study involving sampling, area-based observation, and public engagement was used to profile socioeconomic status. Chunchale village was chosen for the study, and it was discovered that this region has farm land on entire site. And can easily convert in NA land and use for proposal. In proposal most of the land will be proposed for residential as well as infrastructure purpose, as the project is dedicated to people working in Ambad MIDC for their occupation purpose. Based on area-based observation, the surrounding area appears to be ideal for commercial use too. It is suggested that a commercial hub be created near the rehab facility to stimulate the local economy and provide work opportunities for people. As land value rises and infilling area develops, such development also helps the surrounding area's development. Keywords: Satellite town, Redevelopment, Mix Land used, urban renewal policies, spatial planning, socio economic analysis