An interdisciplinary research team on childhood development yesterday called for a shift in Taiwan’s child welfare policies from economic subsidies toward strengthening family relationships to improve children’s well-being.
Suggested measures include issuing “family bonding vouchers” for parent-child activities and offering special public transportation discounts for families, researchers from the Kids in Taiwan: National Longitudinal Study of Child Development and Care (KIT) said.
The recommendations were presented at a news conference marking the 10th anniversary of KIT’s longitudinal database, alongside the release of its latest survey on children’s well-being.
Photo: Yang Mien-chieh, Taipei Times
The survey — which tracks children born from April 2013 to March 2014 who are now in fifth grade — found an average self-reported well-being score of 8.19 out of 10. However, 13.5 percent of respondents rated their well-being as below six.
Researchers identified several key factors influencing children’s well-being.
Family environment played a central role, the researchers said, adding that children whose parents showed fewer depressive symptoms reported higher levels of well-being.
At the same time, more positive parent-child interactions, including shared activities and communication during mealtimes, were also associated with better outcomes, they said.
Life experiences and social connections were also important. Frequent outdoor activities, interactions with friends and family, and exposure to nature were all positively correlated with well-being, as were strong peer relationships.
Physical activity was another contributing factor, with children who exercised at least once a week reporting higher well-being, a trend that became more pronounced with age.
In contrast, increased time on digital devices was associated with lower well-being, particularly among older children, the researchers said.
The team recommended incorporating parenting resources into short videos and other visual content to promote childcare knowledge and communication skills.
They also called for better coordination among communities, schools and social services to identify families in high-stress situations and provide timely support.
Most public parent-child centers in Taiwan cater to children under age six, leaving older children with limited access to safe and engaging spaces, they said, urging the government to establish multipurpose facilities that can accommodate families with children of all ages.
Funded by the National Science and Technology Council, KIT program is conducted by National Taiwan Normal University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies in collaboration with experts from multiple disciplines.
The study tracks 2,526 children, examining their health; language, social, emotional and cognitive development; family and school environments; and experiences.
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