Study reveals importance of student-teacher relationships in early childhood education

Researchers explored data from one of the first nationally representative samples in the United States

Society for Research in Child Development

Are student-teacher relationships critical to early childhood education? With roughly 33 million students enrolled in public elementary school education throughout the United States, (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022), there is an acute need to more comprehensively understand the ways in which children’s development can be promoted through student-teacher relationships.  

In a new Child Development study, researchers at The Ohio State University and University of Pennsylvania explored the significance of student-teacher relationships between kindergarten and third grade. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011, a nationally representative sample of approximately 14,370 children in the United States (51% Male; 51% White; 14% Black; 25% Hispanic; 4% Asian; 6% Other), researchers examined whether student-teacher relationships, as measured by closeness and conflict, matter more in specific grades, last over the early elementary school years, and have accumulating effects over time. The outcomes of these relationships included students’ achievement, absenteeism, executive function, and social behavioral development. Additionally, this study considered whether different groups of students benefit more or less from these relationships. 

To address their study questions, researchers used data from the surveys administered to parents and teachers along with direct assessments of students between kindergarten and third grade. Kindergarten through third grade was focused on because teachers in fourth and fifth grade did not report on their relationships with students. The findings show that the quality of relationships between students and teachers between kindergarten and third grade may have a significant benefit for children’s overall early learning and development. There was also evidence that these relationships matter across the early elementary school years and have cumulative effects over time. All of the children benefited from a close rapport with their teachers and girls tended to fare worse socially than boys when faced with conflict and less closeness in their teacher relationships. 

Findings from the study highlight the importance of student-teacher relationships for children’s development during the early elementary school years and provide valuable information for teachers, school administrators, families and researchers. 

The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) had the opportunity to discuss this research with Dr. Arya Ansari, Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University.  

SRCD: What led you to study the quality of student – teacher relationships in early childhood education?  

Dr. Arya Ansari: The topic of student-teacher relationships has received a great deal of attention in developmental and educational research. Despite this attention, there has been no nationally representative investigation into the cumulative, timing-specific, and enduring outcomes of these relationships. Additionally, previous research has often overlooked the patterns that emerge across different grade levels and important outcomes, resulting in a lack of comprehensive insight into the importance of these relationships and how they may vary among different populations. Accordingly, we viewed this study as an important next step toward filling these gaps in knowledge.

SRCD: Could you please expand upon the significance of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011? 

Dr. Arya Ansari: The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011 (ECLS-K) is one of the few longitudinal and nationally representative samples of children in the United States, providing much needed insight into the home and school experiences of young children between kindergarten and fifth grade. The ECLS-K is a critical resource for understanding the role of student-teacher relationships in the early learning and development of young children. By providing regular information on children’s relationships and outcomes, the ECLS-K can be used to pinpoint effective points of intervention that can enhance relationships among students and teachers.

SRCD: How can these findings be useful for teachers, school administrators, families and researchers?

Dr. Arya Ansari: The results of this study have several potential implications for teachers, administrators, families, and researchers. For teachers, our findings underscore the importance of developing strong connections with students across the early elementary school years. By recognizing the importance of a close and conflict free relationship, teachers can better support student success. For administrators, our findings highlight the importance of supporting teachers so that they have the time and space to cultivate stronger relationships with students. For families, our findings highlight the importance of collaborating with teachers to better support their children. Finally, for researchers, our findings provide a basis for continued exploration into the different aspects of relationships that shape student learning, and how these relationships may vary across populations and contexts.

SRCD: Were you surprised by any of the findings? 

Dr. Arya Ansari: The most surprising finding is the consistency with which student-teacher relationships mattered for a broad range of outcomes across different student populations, both in the short- and long-term. We were also surprised that relationships formed as early as kindergarten matter for development not only in that year, but through the end of third grade. Moreover, these early connections significantly influence not only academic achievement, but also social and emotional development and executive functioning skills, which are critical for educational success.

SRCD: How can teachers strengthen their relationships with young children, particularly young girls who rely on this close relationship to help develop socially?

Dr. Arya Ansari: Teachers can strengthen their relationships with young children, and in particular young girls, in several ways. Teachers should try to create an environment of open communication and actively listen to their students. Additionally, showing empathy and understanding by validating emotions, encouraging collaboration, and personalizing interactions based on individual student interests can help build stronger connections. At the same time, however, it is important that we provide teachers with the support needed to allow them to develop these stronger and more individualized relationships. 

SRCD: What’s next in this field of research? 

Dr. Arya Ansari: We need more information on what contributes to closer and less conflictual relationships between students and teachers and how that drives student achievement and social-emotional development. Identifying these factors is critical so we can develop more targeted interventions and strategies that address the unique needs of different student groups. 

Summarized from an article in Child Development, “The Cumulative, Timing-Specific, and Enduring Associations Between Student—Teacher Relationships and Early Elementary Outcomes” by Ansari, A., Buckley, M.N., (The Ohio State University) and Woods, S.C., Gottfried, M. (University of Pennsylvania). Copyright 2024 The Society for Research in Child Development. All rights reserved. 

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Journal

Child Development

DOI

10.1111/cdev.14177 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The cumulative, timing-specific, and enduring associations between student–teacher relationships and early elementary outcomes

Article Publication Date

20-Nov-2024

 SOCIAL ORIGINS OF MENTAL HEALTH

Do area-wide social and environmental factors affect individuals’ risk of cognitive impairment?

Wiley

Research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has identified several community-level factors that may increase people’s risk of experiencing cognitive impairment.

In the study of 2,830 dementia-free US individuals aged 65+ years, 23.2% of participants were categorized as having mild cognitive impairment. People who lived in areas with higher neighborhood disadvantage, higher air pollution, higher homicide rate, and less greenspace had elevated odds of having mild cognitive impairment. Completing schooling in a Southern US state was also associated with a greater likelihood of mild cognitive impairment. After adjusting for age, race, sex, and education level, the link between mild cognitive impairment and higher neighborhood disadvantage remained statistically significant.

“As clinicians and researchers, we routinely consider older adults’ individual risk factors for cognitive impairment, but we also need to consider the influence of the social and environmental factors where they live and work.  If planners and policymakers want to reduce disease burden in our communities, they too need to take into account the social determinants of health,” said corresponding author Mary Ganguli, MD, MPH, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.19251

 

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is the go-to journal for clinical aging research. We provide a diverse, interprofessional community of healthcare professionals with the latest insights on geriatrics education, clinical practice, and public policy — all supporting the high-quality, person-centered care essential to our well-being as we age.

About Wiley      
Wiley is one of the world’s largest publishers and a trusted leader in research and learning. Our industry-leading content, services, platforms, and knowledge networks are tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners, including researchers, students, instructors, professionals, institutions, and corporations. We empower knowledge-seekers to transform today’s biggest obstacles into tomorrow’s brightest opportunities. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Journal

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

DOI

10.1111/jgs.19251 

Article Title

Social Determinates of Health and Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Diverse Community Sample

Article Publication Date

20-Nov-2024

Empowering global solutions: Universities lead the charge in entrepreneurship and sustainability

 STATE CAPITALI$M EVOLVES INTO WOKE CAPITALI$M

Zhejiang University

A recent study emphasizes the critical role of entrepreneurship education within universities as a catalyst for addressing urgent global challenges. By integrating the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their curricula, higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to foster innovation and cultivate the skills necessary for students to become effective change agents. This research underscores the potential of university-wide entrepreneurial initiatives to drive societal progress in areas such as climate change mitigation, poverty reduction, and technological advancement.

We live in an era marked by both extraordinary challenges and opportunities. As climate change intensifies, poverty and inequality persist, and AI raises new ethical dilemmas, our world demands innovative solutions. Despite technological advancements and global interconnectedness, traditional university education often fails to prepare students to take meaningful action. Higher education systems must evolve to teach skills that drive social and environmental impact. Faced with these challenges, researchers stress the need to reimagine how universities teach entrepreneurship, making it a force for global good.

On August 31, 2024, Fernando M. Reimers and his research team at Harvard Graduate School of Education published a transformative study (DOI: 10.1007/s41959-024-00127-4) in Entrepreneurship Education. The research examines how embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into entrepreneurship programs can transform universities into hubs of real-world innovation. It showcases a vision where students are empowered to become changemakers, tackling crises like climate change and poverty with entrepreneurial vigor. By combining academic rigor with hands-on experiences, these programs are laying the foundation for a new era of impactful, socially-embedded higher education.

The study paints a vivid picture of how universities can reinvent themselves to address humanity’s greatest challenges. At the heart of this transformation is the idea of university-wide entrepreneurship education inspired by the SDGs. Institutions like Amrita University in India immerse students in real-life challenges, requiring them to apply their skills in rural health projects or renewable energy initiatives. Tec de Monterrey’s strategy of integrating SDGs into every aspect of campus life exemplifies this shift, aligning student projects with pressing societal needs.
Harvard’s President’s Innovation Challenge offers another inspiring narrative. Students from diverse fields collaborate on groundbreaking projects, from developing sustainable agricultural practices to creating educational tech solutions. This interdisciplinary approach emphasizes learning beyond textbooks, preparing students to lead impactful change. Yet, the research highlights a major gap: in Asia, universities still struggle to provide effective, hands-on entrepreneurial training. The story here is clear—by embracing university-wide initiatives and embedding sustainability, higher education can transform students into the innovators our world needs.

Fernando M. Reimers, a leading voice in global education reform, shares, “The stakes have never been higher. Universities have the chance to redefine education, nurturing leaders ready to tackle crises head-on. Integrating the SDGs into entrepreneurship education isn’t just a curriculum update—it’s a call to action. When students are empowered to create solutions that impact lives, we lay the foundation for a better, more equitable world.”

The study’s implications reach far and wide. Universities that adopt SDG-driven entrepreneurship education can spark innovations in crucial sectors, from sustainable technology to public health. Imagine graduates launching startups that provide clean energy to underprivileged communities or developing platforms that improve social equity. This transformation in higher education goes beyond academic achievement; it cultivates a generation ready to shape the world. The research calls on universities to act boldly, making education a catalyst for sustainable change and empowering students to dream, create, and lead.

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References

DOI

10.1007/s41959-024-00127-4

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s41959-024-00127-4

Funding information

The financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (#42430107 and #42250710150), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC3104903), Fujian Satellite Data Development, Co., Ltd., and Fujian Haisi Digital Technology Co., Ltd. We thank NASA for the distribution of SeaWiFS and MODIS ocean color products. Comments and suggestions from 2 anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated.

About Entrepreneurship Education

This journal is dedicated to exchanging the latest academic research and practical findings on various aspects of entrepreneurship education. It serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among academic researchers, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, in order to explore practical experience and summarize theoretical reflections. The journal draws on high-quality work in social sciences, particularly in education, with an interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed approach. The journal primarily focuses on entrepreneurship education with a wide spectrum of sub-fields such as innovative education, technical and vocational education and training, maker education, lifelong learning and skill development, social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial universities, curriculum and instruction, policy and governance. We welcome original research, review article, book review, and other types of manuscripts based on the method of international and comparison, policy analysis, case study, quantitative and qualitative study, etc.

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Journal

Entrepreneurship Education

DOI

10.1007/s41959-024-00127-4 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Entrepreneurship education to improve the world: The role of the sustainable development goals to stimulate innovation in higher education

 

Researchers eliminate the gritty mouth feel: How to make it easier to eat fiber-rich foods

Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science

 

image: 

Coated fiber particle seen through a microscope

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Credit: Gabriele D'Oria

Fiber is something that most of us get far too little of. To change that, we need to actually enjoy eating it. Food researchers from the University of Copenhagen have now invented a "disguise" that solves the problem of the dry and gritty mouth feel of fibers.

Think of how it would be to drink a juice with wheat bran in it – you may imagine an unpleasant gritty sensation which would make you less prone to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, this feeling is often associated with insoluble dietary fibers. Those are the kind of fibers found in e.g. wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. The unfortunate feeling is a problem as the majority of the world’s population doesn’t consume enough fibers, which are crucial for our bodies. This negatively affects human health in several ways. For example, fibers help prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and colon cancer. In fact, a lack of fiber intake leads to roughly one million deaths annually.

“If we don't like it, we don't eat it. It's that simple. And no one would enjoy eating grainy flour – but that's roughly what the sensation of insoluble dietary fibers often produces, especially added to  more liquid foods like  yogurt, juices and beverages,” says Professor Lilia Ahrné of the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Food Science.

While insoluble fibers work well in breads, there are many other types of products where this isn’t the case. This is due to the dry (similar to the sensation known from red wine and green tea) and grainy-like feeling in the mouth that most people find unappetizing.

“This is why there is such a limited selection of fiber-rich foods and beverages. And that’s why it’s important to figure out how to incorporate fibers into more foods without causing a bad eating experience. The more variety there is in fiber-rich products, the greater the likelihood that people will increase their fiber intake. And now, we have a potential solution,” says Lilia Ahrné.

From rough to velvet

Ahrné and a team of research colleagues from both Denmark and other countries have developed a way to 'disguise' fibers, by making them – quite literally – more palatable.

Inspired by foods like chia seeds, which are naturally enveloped in a soft, gel-like layer, the researchers encapsulated pea cell-wall fibers in a gel that forms a soft coating around the fiber particles.

“The gel coating makes the fibers feel velvety, like cream on the tongue, where you can't feel the individual particles because the gel prevents contact between the particles and the tongue. Since the gel is at least as soft as tongue tissue, it doesn’t trigger the sensory receptors, and we don’t perceive the gritty texture,” explains Gabriele D’Oria, former PhD student at the Department of Food Science, now postdoctoral researcher at INRAE - Université Paris-Saclay and first author of the research article on the study.

The gel-coated particles were put to the test with a trained tasting panel, where the results demonstrated that the test subjects perceived up to 52% less fibers, while the gel reduced the sensation of grittiness by 42% and dryness in the mouth by 36%.

“We have now demonstrated that gel coating works. The gel can be refined and adjusted depending on the purpose. And in principle, the method can be used for all types of foods and beverages,” says Gabriele D’Oria.

The gel is both flavor- and odor-free and is based on gellan gum, which is produced by bacteria and already deployed in the production of foods for other purposes. Furthermore, the process is also quick and simple.

“In lab trials, it took me seven minutes to produce thousands of coated fiber particles. And this can definitely be upscaled once operating on a larger scale. One could imagine giant silos producing tons of coated fiber particles,” says Gabriele D’Oria.

Beneficial for elder health – and climate

In the long run, the researchers hope that the idea could help solve an increasingly widespread health dilemma:

“We are dealing with a global nutritional issue that will only grow as the world’s population ages. Elderly people who consume too little fiber are more prone to, among other things, digestive issues, unintended weight loss and general frailty. Therefore, there will be a need to develop fiber-rich products that people actually want to eat,” says Lilia Ahrné.

The researchers believe that it makes sense to use gel coating in liquid foods like juice and drinkable yogurt.

Furthermore, the camouflaged fibers have the potential to become a climate-friendly diet option, as Ahrné points out:

“We are all aware of the need to shift to more plant-based diets. If we can understand how to address the negative experiences of eating dietary fibers, we can better utilize fiber-rich by-products, such as bran from grains, in a sustainable way.”

  

Gel coated fibers 

Credit

Gabriele D'Oria

WE EAT TOO LITTLE FIBER

• In its Official Dietary Guidelines, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration recommends that people consume at least 75 grams of whole grains per day. In 2019, 56% of the Danish population met this recommendation.
• A major study from 2017 shows that out of the 11 million people who died that year due to nutritional factors, low whole grain intake accounted for one million of the deaths (source: Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 - ScienceDirect).
• The study, which covers 195 countries, also shows that on average, fiber intake was below 25 grams per day in all regions.

 

ABOUT THE STUDY

• The research article about the study has been published in the journal Food Hydrocolloids.
• The project has received support from Nestlé.

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Journal

Food Hydrocolloids

DOI

10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110366 

Article Title

Designing gel coatings for oral soft perception of fiber particles

 

Light-altering paint for greenhouses could help lengthen the fruit growing season in the UK

University of Bath

 

video: 

Professor Petra Cameron from the University of Bath explains the new technology.

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Credit: University of Bath

Researchers in the UK have developed a new spray coating for greenhouses that optimises the wavelength of light shining onto the plants, improving their growth and yield. The technology could in the future help extend the growing seasons in less sunny countries like the UK in a more sustainable way.

Since the growing season in the UK is relatively short due to its climate and latitude, we rely on European imports for most of our fruit and vegetables, grown in vast artificially lit greenhouses, which use huge amounts of electricity.

Now scientists at the Universities of Bath and Cambridge, working with commercial partner Lambda Agri, have developed a spray coating for greenhouses that could help UK farmers to produce more crops in the future using the same or less energy.

The development is being heavily backed with two UK Government grants, including a DEFRA project worth £500k and a second project worth £750k within DESNZ’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

Photosynthesis – the process used by plants to capture sunlight and use the energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars – is most efficient at the wavelength of red light. Green light is the least efficient which is why plants don’t absorb it and so appear green.

Sunlight is a mixture of all the colour spectrum so much of the light that shines on plants is not used.

The new spray coats existing greenhouse glass like a varnish; this layer absorbs blue light from sunlight and converts it to red light, increasing the fraction of red light that can be used by the plants which increases the crop yield.

More sustainable technologies

Whilst other researchers in the USA have previously achieved an increase in growth using similar technologies, they use rare earth materials such as indium. This metal is used in phone screens but is very expensive and difficult to recycle.

The Bath/Cambridge collaboration with Lambda Agri have replaced indium with a patent-pending lower cost, more abundant material.

In addition, they can make the materials using a chemical flow reactor, speeding up the manufacture process and making it more easily scalable.

Sweeter fruit

Professor Petra Cameron, from the University of Bath’s Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC), said: “The way our coating works is similar to when you go to a night club and your gin and tonic drink glows under the UV light – the quinine chemical in the tonic water is absorbing the UV and re-emitting it as visible light.

“Our coating contains molecules that absorb UV light from the sun and converts around 80-90% of it into red light, making photosynthesis more efficient, meaning we can grow more with less light.

“In field trials we’ve seen a nine per cent increase in crop yield when growing basil in treated greenhouses.

“This means our technology could in the future be used to extend the growing seasons for produce and use less artificial light to get the same results, saving money and reducing the associated carbon emissions.

“As well as changing the wavelength of the light coming into the greenhouse, the coating also scatters the light, which also increases the yield.

“There is even some evidence that suggests it improves the taste by raising the sugar content in the fruit.”

Professor Dominic Wright from the University of Cambridge, Inorganic and Materials Section in Chemistry, said: “This is a nice application of fundamental molecular science to an important, real-world problem, one that is particularly important in regards to the backdrop of food security and global warming.

“There is a very real prospect of this having a significant impact on the availability and cost of soft fruit and salad vegetables for consumers in the future, especially in northern European countries like the UK where the weather conditions are far from ideal.”

Dr Monica Saavedra, from Lambda Agri, said: "Lambda stands for fighting food poverty, sustainably. The UK is already suffering from climate change, which is why the UK Government is heavily funding and supporting our mission. Both Cambridge University, where we are currently based, and the University of Bath are strong collaborators and share our vision.”

The team has submitted a patent for the technology and published their research in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies. They hope to make the technology commercially available for growers in a few years.

Growth of plants in greenhouses sprayed with the paint (right) was compared with that of plants in untreated greenhouses (left).

Credit

Lambda Agri

Journal

Advanced Materials Technologies

DOI

10.1002/admt.202400977 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Transparent, Sprayable Plastic Films for Luminescent Down-Shifted-Assisted Plant Growth

 

Sage acquires GOOD DOCS, distributor of documentaries that do good in the world

SAGE

Sage Publishing, a leading academic publisher, has acquired GOOD DOCS LLC, a film distribution company promoting social justice through powerful documentaries. This partnership adds over 370 films to Sage's library of video content, providing educational resources and promoting critical thinking on important societal issues. 

“We are proud to partner with GOOD DOCS in magnifying these important stories as part of our shared commitment to promoting social justice,” said Kiren Shoman, executive vice president, editorial, and global executive lead of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Sage. “GOOD DOCS, like Sage, was founded by a passionate woman committed to creating a more equitable world. The company will help us live Sage's values by providing educational, diverse perspectives and pedagogical resources that reflect the world we live in.”  

GOOD DOCS is known for amplifying the stories of marginalized communities and showcasing solutions to complex problems through films created by established documentarians who are also educators, journalists, artists, activists, and community members. The videos champion creative expression, reflect intricate social dynamics, and provoke critical thinking, making them ideal for engaging classroom conversations. 

GOOD DOCS was founded in 2013 by award-winning filmmaker Sarah Feinbloom, who has dedicated her career to creating impactful documentaries. GOOD DOCS films have been shown at major film festivals worldwide and many have received multiple awards. The American Library Association voted Feinbloom’s film "What Do You Believe?" one of the best videos for young adults, and it has been shown in over 2,000 schools and colleges worldwide. 

“Sage is a company in which I wholeheartedly believe; for nearly 60 years, they’ve led academic publishing in areas that promote social justice, driven by the same commitment to education, rigorous inquiry, and social change that has guided us,” Feinbloom said. “Sage’s founder ensured that Sage would remain independent forever, protecting the very values that have sustained GOOD DOCS. Their commitment to social justice and human rights reflects a serendipitous overlap in values and mission between our companies.”  

“GOOD DOCS provides a remarkable library of documentary film content to the educational market, which we know instructors, students, and academic librarians value very highly,” said Sage Senior Director Michael Carmichael. “In GOOD DOCS, we also have found a key partner that promotes anti-racism, social justice, and equity through its powerful, thought-provoking films, which aligns very closely with the mission of Sage Video too. We cannot wait to work with the GOOD DOCS team.”  

As part of the agreement, GOOD DOCS will become a subsidiary of Sage while maintaining its dedication to serving filmmakers, customers, and communities as it has done in the past. The collaboration with Sage offers the opportunity to integrate GOOD DOCS' content with Sage Video collections, further promoting the GOOD DOCS brand and the work of its filmmakers to a wider and more global audience. 

The acquisition follows last week's announcement that Sage acquired Cambridge Business Publishers. 

# # # # 

About Sage 

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.  

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to: 

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact 

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning 

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas 

 

Automated 3D computer vision model offers a new tool to measure and understand dairy cow behavior and welfare

A Journal of Dairy Science® study has taken a step toward validating a 3D pose estimation system for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in freestalls

Elsevier

 

image: 

A Journal of Dairy Science study has taken a step toward validating a 3D pose estimation method for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in their cubicles, offering a new assessment tool to improve overall comfort and well-being of dairy cows.

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Credit: Adrien Kroese

Philadelphia, November 20, 2024 – Dairy cows typically rest for 10 or more hours a day, so a dry, clean, and comfortable place—such as a freestall—to lie down and rest is essential for their health, well-being, and production performance. One key factor in whether stalls are comfortable for cows is the ease with which they can get up and down, so it is common on farms for staff to watch for abnormal rising behaviors as part of standard welfare management. In a new study in the Journal of Dairy Science, published by Elsevier, a Swedish team, in collaboration with Sony Nordic, introduced a new automated model that accurately detects posture transitions in dairy cows. This innovative approach using 3-dimensional (3D) pose estimation offers valuable, unbiased insights into animal welfare and could offer a less time-consuming and more consistent assessment tool for researchers and farmers alike.

Led by Niclas Högberg, DVM, and Adrien Kroese, Eng, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, the study aimed to develop a reliable method for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in their cubicles, a crucial indicator of overall comfort and well-being.

Adrien Kroese explained, “Evidence points to a clear link between restricted movement for cows and signs of reduced welfare, so it is common to have some kind of observation practice in place to catch signs of movement struggles.”

Traditional methods—which often rely on human observation—can be subjective, sporadic, and time-consuming.

Considering the need for more consistent methods, the study team proposed a novel framework for detecting cow movements, specifically to understand how to measure lying-to-standing transitions from 3D pose estimation data compared with the human eye.

The team employed a 24-hour setup of seven cameras recording a herd of Swedish Holstein and Swedish Red cows. This footage was then used with 3D pose estimation software, which tracks and records movements via a 2D object detector and pose estimator. These datapoints are then fed into convolutional neural networks to detect cow movements in comparison to specific anatomical landmarks on static images from the footage. The result is a 3D map of cows’ movement in their stalls and a selection of which movements indicate the transition to standing.

Kroese explained, “We then compared the standing data gathered by the software against timestamps in the video annotated by three human observers, which is considered the gold standard for behavioral observations.”

How did the 3D data model hold up in comparison to the human eye? Kroese said, “The framework was able to detect when a cow was transitioning from lying to standing with the same accuracy as humans. The sensitivity of the detection was over 88%.”

Notably, the results also indicate that the model introduced no more bias compared with human observers.

Although not without limitations, the study’s findings demonstrate the potential of 3D pose estimation to provide objective and reliable data on cow behavior. Kroese noted, “This technology represents an exciting advancement in our ability to study and monitor animal behavior and welfare. By automatically and accurately detecting posture transitions, we can gain valuable insights into the comfort and well-being of dairy cows.”

The model offers potential to help researchers scale up the study of dairy cow behavior and motion patterns and opens the door to the development of new assessment tools for farmers to make informed decisions about their herds.

 

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Journal

Journal of Dairy Science

DOI

10.3168/jds.2023-24427 

Method of Research

Imaging analysis

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

3-Dimensional pose estimation to detect posture transition in freestall-housed dairy cows