The 'Child Development Seminar' was held by the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences. The seminar, which consisted of four sessions, addressed the physical, educational, and emotional needs of children.
The seminar was attended by Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan, Lecturer Neşe Şekerci, Asst. Prof. Dr. Demet Gülaldı, and Lecturer Merve Yüksel from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences.
Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan: “Curiosity is important in children's books”
Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, who spoke about the content and formal features of child development books, delivered a presentation titled 'Children's Literature' at the seminar. Özkan said; 'The books written should be at a language level appropriate for children's ages. Curiosity is important in children's books. For this, the written texts need to be supported with visuals. In addition to curiosity, elements such as humor and wit are also important to be included in the book. Books should be written simply and clearly, in a way that children can understand. The materials used, paints, papers, and the size of the font points are important.'
Lecturer Neşe Şekerci: “Children have emotional and physical needs”
Lecturer Neşe Şekerci from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, who delivered a presentation titled 'Child Health and Emergency Intervention,' spoke about how children are valued among societies. Şekerci stated; 'Children have emotional and physical needs.' Şekerci provided information to the participating students about why child health is important. Under the heading 'What is Health?', Şekerci gave a general definition of health, also provided an explanation for 'What is Child Health?', and discussed factors affecting maternal health. She also conveyed the criteria for health and their benefits at the end of her presentation.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Demet Gülaldı: “Aggression is actually a reaction to something”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Demet Gülaldı from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, who made evaluations on 'Social and Emotional Problems in Children,' stated that children's emotional and social development continues constantly. Gülaldı said; 'Children's behaviors vary according to age. The feeling of shame develops up to age 3. Aggression in children is an emotion; aggression is actually a reaction to something. Children's social environments and their interactions with adults are important. The environment a child lives in, urban life, rural life, their family, the culture they grew up in, and the child's innate characteristics all affect children's attitudes. Furthermore, factors such as elderly family members living with the family (grandparents), communication between parents, the death of a mother or father leading to others raising the child, siblings, age differences between siblings, and gender all affect a child's development.'
Lecturer Merve Yüksel: “Children are physically, educationally, and emotionally neglected”
Lecturer Merve Yüksel from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, who gave a presentation on 'Children at Risk,' stated that children with behavioral disorders and forcibly displaced children can fall into the risk group. Yüksel said; 'The early childhood period (0-6 years) and the attitudes of parents towards children during this period are very important. Stimulating environments (that can attract their interest, engage their attention) where children are located contribute to their development. Children are physically, educationally, and emotionally neglected. For example, physical neglect is not bathing the child, and educational neglect is not monitoring the child's homework or not attending parent-teacher meetings.' She also touched upon emotional neglect, which is the failure of parents to meet a child's need for love and attention. She emphasized that children should not be deprived of certain experiences beyond financial means and explained the importance of the concept of risk in children.
The seminar, held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus, Emir Nebi 2 conference hall, was organized for students of Mithatpaşa Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School and Child Development department students. The program, which garnered significant interest, concluded after a group photo was taken.