Reviving the Practice of Embracing and Lullabies to Enhance the Development of Iranian Children

The Scientific Secretary of the First Pediatric Rehabilitation Congress emphasized the importance of emotional connections in child upbringing, stating that embracing and singing lullabies should be revived within Iranian families to strengthen feelings of security and affection in children, thereby improving their psychological and social development.

According to our university correspondent, Dr. Farin Soleimani, the Scientific Secretary of the First Pediatric Rehabilitation Congress, this event will be held on May 15 and 16 at the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Conference Hall of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Dr. Soleimani added that the congress aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among specialists in the field. It will feature 85 speakers, including 10 keynote speakers and 4 international presenters. The congress will also include 16 specialized panels covering various scientific and therapeutic topics for children with special needs.

She emphasized that one of the main objectives of the congress is to enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities, promote a multidisciplinary approach in their rehabilitation, and improve their overall health. A dedicated panel titled "The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Modern Technologies in Pediatric Rehabilitation" will also be held.

Furthermore, the university’s Office of Technology issued a call for submissions in the field of pediatric rehabilitation, resulting in 120 entries. After evaluation by a panel of judges, 12 works were selected for presentation at the congress.

Dr. Soleimani also mentioned that 85 posters were submitted to the congress secretariat. The judging panel reviewed these posters, and the best were chosen for presentation during the event.

The First 1000 Days of a Child's Life Are Crucial in Rehabilitation

The Scientific Secretary of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Congress emphasized the importance of the "First 1000 Days" of a child's life. She stated, “We believe that the human brain develops during this period,” and therefore, this topic will be thoroughly examined in a dedicated panel featuring medical and rehabilitation specialists at this national congress.

She continued: “Another panel will focus on play therapy and its role in children’s rehabilitation.”

This pediatrician highlighted the necessity of implementing population growth policies in the country. Currently, we are witnessing the birth of many premature and extremely premature infants who, through the efforts of specialists, survive. Last year, the number of births in the country fell below one million, which underscores the critical importance of child care,” she explained.

Dr. Soleimani also addressed autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities in children. She added, “The congress will cover various topics such as cochlear implantation in children, education for children with special needs, and modern rehabilitation techniques for children with cerebral palsy.”

She emphasized the challenges of policy-making within the national health system. “One of the main issues to be discussed at this congress is the policy challenges facing the health system in the field of pediatric rehabilitation,” she said.

The head of the Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center stressed the importance of reviving practices like embracing, touching, and singing lullabies to infants and children within Iranian families. “These activities help strengthen feelings of security and love in children and have numerous positive effects on their psychological and social growth,” she noted.

She also pointed out the adverse effects of mobile phones and social media on child upbringing. “We need to distance ourselves from these technologies and focus more on emotional and physical interactions with our children to support their psychological development,” she concluded.