A preliminary exploration of children's physiological arousal levels in regular preschool settings

Title
A preliminary exploration of children's physiological arousal levels in regular preschool settings
Publication Date
2011
Author(s)
Sajaniemi, Nina
Suhonen, Eira
Sims, Margaret
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4686-4245
Email: msims7@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:msims7
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Sage Publications Ltd
Place of publication
Australia
UNE publication id
une:8764
Abstract
Learning new things is challenging. In these moments, children are functioning in the upper limits of their acquired capability: in Vygotskian terms, children are functioning in their zone of proximal development (ZPD). Acting in the ZPD is cognitively loading and stress-provoking, thus the ability to function optimally in this state of increased stress has fundamental effects on the development of learning abilities. Physiological measures of arousal have become more common and pave the way to understanding not only how children develop regulation but also the role of the environment (social and physical) in supporting that development. While cortisol has become a popular measure of arousal, it is only one component of the physiobiology of arousal. It is important to develop a more holistic understanding of arousal. Our study aimed to evaluate both cortisol and alpha-amylase responses in preschool-aged children in response to both an unusually challenging task as well as to normal early childhood activities. We have used these to develop a model linking activation of the HPA and SAM systems to children's cognitive performance, including the mediating impact of daily activities.
Link
Citation
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 36(3), p. 91-99
ISSN
1839-5961
1836-9391
Start page
91
End page
99

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