Learning is important for the development of children with special needs. Slow learners, which are included in the special-needs category suffer from extreme timidity thus making them unable to actively involved in learning sessions. It is important for them to actively involve in the learning activities as it affects their academic achievement. This study involves two phases of activities which are; Phase 1, identification specification through literature review and expert interview, and Phase 2, model development. From the specification identification phase, suitable elements and components are identified, gathered, analysed and organised to prepare a comprehensive model. Therefore, a robotic-based model for slow learners’ learning is proposed. The model consists of the elements and the components that emphasize interactive student-centred learning. The model is derived from Care-Receiving Robot, Social Development Theory and Triple-D Model which consists of the teacher (More Knowledgable Other), the student, the robot (Care-Receiving Robot), learning by teaching to invoke student-centred learning, and evaluation (Triple-D Model).

Paddy cultivation is one of the widely planted crop in Malaysia. The growth of agricultural activity leads to the use of Organophosphate pesticide to protect the crop. This study is to determine the relationship between the levels of blood cholinesterase with the performance of motor coordination of children living in paddy farming area in Tanjung Karang, Selangor. This cross sectional study was conducted among 683 children from four schools in an agricultural area. Majority of the children have at a family member worked as farmer and was involved with pesticides. A set of questionnaire on the was given to the children to be filled by their parents. To measure their exposure to pesticide, blood cholinesterase levels were measured. Blood samples were taken through finger prick technique and were then analysed using LOVIBOND 412870 AF287. The children were administered with motor-coordination performance test using WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery and McCarthy Learning Ability Scale. Young group children (6-85 years) showed a mean score of 56.66 in motor-coordination test while older group children (10-11)= years) scored a mean of 45.37. There was a significant relationship between blood cholinesterase level and motor coordination performance among the young-group children (r=0.215, p<0.001) and the older-group children (r=0.106, p=0.049). Based on the Linear Regression test results, total household income of family, and mode of transport used were found to have significant relationship with blood cholinesterase level of children in both groups. In addition, blood cholinesterase level and mothers’ occupation were found to have significant relationship with the motor-coordination performance of all children.
Organophosphate ; children ; blood cholinesterase ; motor-coordination

Paddy cultivation is one of the widely planted crop in Malaysia. The growth of agricultural activity leads to the use of Organophosphate pesticide to protect the crop. This study is to determine the relationshi p between the levels of blood cholinesterase with the performance of motor coordination of children living in paddy farming area in Tanjung Karang, Selangor. This cross sectional study was conducted among 683 children from four schools in an agricultural area. Majority of the children have at a family member worked as farmer and was involved with pesticides. A set of questionnaire on the was given to the children to be filled by t heir parents. To measure their exposure to pesticide, blood cholinesterase levels were measured. Blood samples were taken through finger prick technique and were then analysed using LOVIBOND 412870 AF287. The children were administered with motor - coordina tion performance test using WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery and McCarthy Learning Ability Scale. Young group children (6 - 85 years) showed a mean score of 56.66 in motor - coordination test while older group children (10 - 11)= years) scored a mean of 45 .37. There was a significant relationship between blood cholinesterase level and motor coordination performance among the young - group children (r=0.215, p<0.001) and the older - group children (r=0.106, p=0.049). Based on the Linear Regression test results, total household income of family, and mode of transport used were found to have significant relationship with blood cholinesterase level of children in both groups. In addition, blood cholinesterase level and mothers’ occupation were found to have signific ant relationship with the motor - coordination performance of all children.

Introduction: Baby-friendly hospital practices and family support are recognised to improve the chances of successful breastfeeding. The associations between support and maternal psychological state and breastfeeding problems are less explored. This study aimed to assess the influence of professional and family support on breastfeeding adverse events and postpartum depression at 2 weeks and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) status at 12 weeks postpartum, and to identify predictors of positive outcomes. Methods: 64 primiparous Malaysian mothers were interviewed face-to-face, at 2, 6 and 12 weeks post-delivery, to collect data regarding family support, hospital and infant feeding practices, breastfeeding problems and pain, maternal perceptions and depression. Logistic regression and correlation were used to ascertain associations between support and EBF, adverse events and postpartum depression. Results: Neither professional nor family support predicted EBF at 12 weeks. Eighty-five percent of the mothers received high family support, which was associated with lower depression scores (r=-0.36, p=0.005); higher depression scores were associated with more breastfeeding problems. EBF discontinuation before 12 weeks was predicted by maternal perception of insufficient milk supply (OR=8.96, CI=1.78, 45.18). Earlier breastfeeding initiation (r=0.26, p=0.04) and skin-to-skin contact (r=0.25, p=0.048) were associated with lower breastfeeding pain. EBF in hospital was correlated with fewer breastfeeding problems (r=0.31, p=0.01). Conclusion: Mothers with greater family support suffered from less depressive symptoms, which could lower the incidence of breastfeeding problems and prolong EBF duration. Skin-to-skin contact, early breastfeeding initiation and EBF in hospital were associated with less adverse events, thus better compliance with these Baby-Friendly practices is recommended.