Education Commons^™

"Deep As A Giant" : An Experiment In Children's Language (1938), Claudia Lewis

Bank Street Thinkers

Claudia Lewis shares with the reader the delightful and surprising ways in which her class of four and five-year-olds describe the world around them. They refreshingly bypass grown-up cliches with their own version of description: "Easy as drinking water," "fast as you see yourself in the mirror," "flat as a necktie." Although written in 1938, the reader can easily "hear" the same wondrous language in young children today.

Play As A Growth Process (1951), Barbara Biber

Bank Street Thinkers

"What do play experiences do for child growth? If a child can have a really full wholesome experience with play, he will be having the most wholesome kind of fun that a child can have. For a child to have fun is basic to his future happiness. His early childhood play may become the basic substance out of which he lays down one of his life patterns, namely, not only that one can have fun but that one can create fun...."

Overview Of Early Childhood Education In China, India, Ethiopia, And Tanzania., Judit Szente, X. Christine Wang, Belete Mebratu, Fortidas Bakuza

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

This paper introduces the status of early childhood education in China, India, Ethiopia, and Tanzania over the past 25 years while sharing crucial new policies targeting early childhood (EC) education and EC teacher education. The paper targets four main areas such as :

1) opportunities for quality pre- and in-service training of EC teachers;

2) distribution/availability of quality EC teachers;

3) perceived status of EC teachers; and

4) financial support for EC education in each country.

Conclusions and recommendations for the Post-2015 area are also provided.

Quality Improvement In Program Administration Through Directors’ Support Cohorts, Mccormick Center For Early Childhood Leadership

McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Publications

Initiatives to improve administrative practices in early childhood programs take many forms. Some models are high-intensity, providing substantial external support for directors. Other models are moderate-intensity, providing a lower dose of formal training and on-site support, and lead to a director credential. Because high- and moderate-intensity initiatives are costly to implement, this edition of Research Notes examined an informal low-intensity approach to strengthening leadership capacity as a viable alternative.

Ready For La Escuela: School Readiness And The Languages Of Instruction In Kindergarten, Zoila Tazi Phd

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

School readiness has captured our attention. Across the country, policymakers, politicians, advocates, educators, and community members are forging alliances to increase children’s access to the kinds of early childhood experiences that will best prepare them for success in school. At the same time, census figures indicate that the child population in the United States is changing and young Latinos account for most of that change (O’Hare, 2011).

As a population, Latinos experience greater rates of poverty and other risk factors that adversely affect school readiness (Ackerman & Tazi, 2015). In addition, many Latino children enter kindergarten speaking little or no …

Inviting Children Into Project Work., Carolyn P. Edwards, Kay Springate

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This brief article describes the approach to long-term projects used with young children in the city-run preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. In particular, it explains how the learning environment and the guidance of the teacher invite them into a project, then help them sustain and conclude it.

Evaluation Of The Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation Grants, Beth L. Green, Lindsey Brianna Patterson, Mackenzie Morris, Lindsey Anne Cochran, Callie H. Lambarth

Early Childhood

In July 2014, Oregon’s Early Learning Division provided first-time funding for sixteen communities across the state to implement Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation (KRPI) projects. The KRPI projects share the common goal of improving children’s school readiness and, ultimately, improving school success and reducing the achievement gap. To achieve these goals, grantees were given considerable local flexibility to implement innovative approaches in one or more of the following areas:

1. Supporting kindergarten readiness skills and smooth transitions to kindergarten;

2. Increasing family engagement in children’s learning and connecting families and schools;

3. Providing professional development to early learning and/or elementary …

Language And Literacy In The West Kimberley: The Case For 3 And 4 Year Old Indigenous Learners, Sacha Develle

Dr Sacha DeVelle

No abstract provided.

Reggio Emilia Approach, Ena Shelley, Ryan Flessner

Ryan Flessner

Article in Ainsworth, James, ed. Sociology of Education: An A-to-Z Guide. Thousand Oaks, US: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2013.

Pleanail Curaclam Agus Teanga Sa Naionra, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Jacqui De Siun

Books/Book chapters

Is gá don bhainisteoir cur chuige oiriúnach a aimsiú agus tabhairt faoi go tuisceanach eolasach chun bunaidhmeanna an naíonra, is iad sin forbairt iomlán an linbh agus sealbhú na Gaeilge, a bhaint amach. Is dlúthchuid den chur chuige sin an phleanáil teanga. Éireoidh níos fearr le sealbhú na Gaeilge má bhíonn sé pleanáilte roimh ré, ar bhonn atá céimithe ach atá scaoilte ag an am céanna. Beidh an stiúrthóir in ann an phleanáil a bhunú ar an aithne atá aici ar na páistí agus ar a gcuid spéiseanna, ar a cuid eolas ar na réimsí gníomhaíochtaí atá oiriúnach do pháistí …

A Study Of The Evolution Of Mindfulness Practice In An Early Childhood Classroom, Katherine Berninger

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper studies the use of mindfulness practice in a preschool classroom. Combining participant observation, personal journaling, and interviews with children, this study explores the relationship between the introduction of mindfulness practice, changes in classroom culture, and growth in emotional vocabulary.

Playful Aggression And The Situational Contexts That Affect Perceptions, Jennifer Hart

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Play is considered a fundamental tool for early childhood education practices as it provides numerous developmental benefits for young children. However, not all play is viewed by children, parents, and early childhood educators the same, especially playful aggression. For example, rough-and-tumble play, risky play, superhero play, “bad guy” play, active pretend play, play fighting, big body play, war play, gun play, and physically active and imaginative play are types of playful aggression that benefits young children’s development; but are often viewed negatively by the adults who observe it. The contextual factors that influence the development of these conflicting perceptions—the motivation …

A Comparison Study Of Parents’ Perceptions Of Quality In Early Childhood Programs, Juanita Ortiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Research has demonstrated that high quality early childhood education (ECE) programs result in short and long-term benefits that are critical for children to reach their full potential and narrow the achievement gap. Parental involvement has been accepted as integral to quality ECE programs, and parental perception drives parental involvement. Perceptions and contributions of parents and caregivers including those who do not speak English have not been adequately addressed in the research. Furthermore, research has not addressed how parental perception regarding quality in ECE programs may vary according to whether their child has or does not have a disability.

This study …

The Power Of Improvisational Teaching, Elizabeth Graue, Kristin Whyte, Anne E. Karabon

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

In this study we examine how improvisation can facilitate understanding how teachers respond to children's multiple resources, interests, experiences, and skills in early childhood programs. Improvisation is conceptualized as a responsive, partnered activity through which teachers and children generate meaning and knowledge together. In our analysis we show improvisation is taken up differently in two classrooms and how it variably provides opportunities for learning. Two cases from a professional development program designed to support culturally and developmentally appropriate early mathematics are used to demonstrate the possibilities improvisation creates in era of increasing standardization of curriculum.

The Preschool Puzzle: Exploring Variations In Early Childhood Education Teacher Quality Across States, Alice Rockswold

Political Science Honors Projects

There is a growing consensus in the early childhood education community that it is necessary to raise the qualifications of preschool teachers. Yet, little is known about why rigorous degree and training standards have advanced further in some states than others. In this analysis, I explore various political and demographic factors that might account for the uneven support for such standards, with special attention to the role of Head Start as a driver of quality, given its presence and variation in strength across states. Using longitudinal data from the National Institute of Early Childhood Education, I find weak evidence that …

"It's A Two-Way Street": Examining How Trust, Diversity, And Contradiction Influence A Sense Of Community, Victoria Puig, Elizabeth Erwin, Tara L. Evenson, Madeleine Beresford

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

As interest in establishing and maintaining high-quality inclusive early childhood environments continues to grow, the population of children and families being served by these programs is becoming increasingly diverse. In response to these demographic and social trends, this study was conducted to explore how diversity is perceived within an early childhood inclusive environment. This participatory action research study was conceptualized and conducted over a 3-year period. Our collaborative research team, which reflected diversity across culture, race, gender, age, and professional discipline, used qualitative semistructured interviews to examine the question, "What does it mean to be fully inclusive across all aspects …

K-5 Math And Technology Resources, Anthony Scheffler, Shirley Andrews, Nancy Sartin

Education Open Textbooks

This document is a collaborative student work, comprising a directory of resources about mathematics and technology for kindergarten through fifth grade. This resource was created with the support of an ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Topics include teaching and learning theories, problem solving, assessment, equity, technological tools, and measurements.

Accessible files with optical character recognition (OCR) and auto-tagging provided by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation.

Preschool Experience Vs. No Preschool Experience: Long Term Effects On Academic And Social Readiness Of Children, Dionne C. Estes

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Despite federal and state investments in early education intervention programs,achievement gaps continue to afflict the education system with children from low-income families having an increased need for high quality preschool education. When children from underprivileged families move through the education system, the chances of academic success becomes difficult as the education gap increases year after year, and they fall farther behind. By the time these students enter high school, they are behind academically and unable to meet grade level requirements. Many of them to give up and quit attending school, leading to an increase in the dropout rate.

Research indicates …

An International Perspective On Early Childhood Leadership, Mccormick Center For Early Childhood Leadership

McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Publications

A 2015 study of early childhood leaders affirms that “people skills” are necessary for advancing organizations to help children succeed in school and in life. Participants in an Australian leadership development program perceived leadership capacities related to interpersonal relationships and self-regulation as more important than knowledge and skills that focus on program quality outcomes. Read more about this research and its implications in the Summer 2015 Research Note.

Exploring The Potential Of Using Explicit Reflective Instruction Through Contextualized And Decontextualized Approaches To Teach First-Grade African American Girls The Practices Of Science, Gayle A. Buck, Valarie L. Akerson, Cassie F. Quigley, Ingrid S. Weiland

Cassie F. Quigley

Contemporary science education policy documents call for curriculum and pedagogy that lead to students’ active engagement, over multiple years of school, in scientific practices. This participatory action research study answered the question, “How can we successfully put twenty-three first-grade African American girls attending a gender school in an impoverished school district on the path to learning the practices of scientists”. The Young Children’s Views of Science (YCVOS) (Lederman, 2009) was used to interview these first-graders pre-, mid- and post-instruction during an instructional unit designed in response to many of the pedagogical strategies research has demonstrated to be effective in other …

Exploring The Potential Of Using Explicit Reflective Instruction Through Contextualized And Decontextualized Approaches To Teach First-Grade African American Girls The Practices Of Science, Gayle A. Buck, Valarie L. Akerson, Cassie F. Quigley, Ingrid S. Weiland

Cassie F. Quigley

Contemporary science education policy documents call for curriculum and pedagogy that lead to students’ active engagement, over multiple years of school, in scientific practices. This participatory action research study answered the question, “How can we successfully put twenty-three first-grade African American girls attending a gender school in an impoverished school district on the path to learning the practices of scientists”. The Young Children’s Views of Science (YCVOS) (Lederman, 2009) was used to interview these first-graders pre-, mid- and post-instruction during an instructional unit designed in response to many of the pedagogical strategies research has demonstrated to be effective in other …

Quality Improvement In Program Administration Through Directors’ Support Cohorts, Mccormick Center For Early Childhood Leadership

McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Publications

Initiatives to improve administrative practices in early childhood programs take many forms. Some models are high-intensity, providing substantial external support for directors—formal training leading to an advanced degree, high dosage of technical support for achieving accreditation, and on-site coaching addressing multiple facets of program leadership and management. These high-intensity models have been shown to yield significant improvements in program- and classroom-level quality, organizational climate, and participants’ level of knowledge and demonstrated skill. Other models are moderate-intensity, providing a lower dose of formal training and on-site support, and lead to a director credential. Although the outcomes are not as robust as …

Reggio Emilia Approach, Ena Shelley, Ryan Flessner

Ena Shelley

Article in Ainsworth, James, ed. Sociology of Education: An A-to-Z Guide. Thousand Oaks, US: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2013.

Hope And Possibilities: Inspirations And Insight From Hosting "The Wonder Of Learning- The Hundred Languages Of Children" Exhibit In Indianapolis, Indiana, Ena Shelley

Ena Shelley

Dr. Ena Shelley gives her remarks after "The Wonder of Learning- The Hundred Languages of Children" Exhibit in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What Works In State Economic Development?, Timothy Bartik

Timothy J. Bartik

No abstract provided.

From Preschool To Prosperity: The Economic Payoff To Early Childhood Education, Timothy J. Bartik

Timothy J. Bartik

Bartik shows that investment in high-quality early childhood education has several long-term benefits, including higher adult earnings for program participants.

Preschool And Prosperity, Timothy J. Bartik

Timothy J. Bartik

Substantial research shows that high-quality early childhood education programs have a large economic payoff. This payoff is increased earnings for former child participants, increased earnings for parents, and increased earnings for all workers when average worker skills improve. A program package of universal pre-K, combined with child care and parenting support for all low-income families, would cost $80 billion annually. But each dollar invested in this package would yield future economic benefits of over 10 times as great.

President’S Annual Report, Jean E. Bartels

President's Annual Report (2012-2015)

No abstract provided.

It's Okay, I'M A...Teacher. Is Professional Status Important To Teachers?, C Mcgunnigle, D O'Connor, J Waggoner, T Treasure, L Cranley, S Davie

Education Conference Papers

Teacher accountability and the debate around teacher quality are issues of international importance. As society places increasing demands on the teaching profession, and regulatory bodies around the globe raise the ‘standards’ for teachers to adhere to, the professional status of teachers is drawn into focus. This paper reports research findings of an investigation into the perspectives of professional status of teachers, held by pre-service teachers about to embark on their teaching career. This was a comparative study whereby data were collected from an Australian university and an American university to explore professional status as an international issue. This quantitative study …

Looking Within To Build Strong Foundations Of Personhood: The Importance Of Early Years Teacher’S Reflective Practice In The Formation Of A Positive Sense Of Identity In The Children They Work With, D O'Connor, C Mcgunnigle, H Wildy, G Neylon

Education Conference Papers

A collaborative research project between the Schools of Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia and the University of Western Australia has produced data that looks at how the Australian Early Years Framework is experienced in practice within Schools that deliver programmes for two year old children in the Perth Metropolitan area of Western Australia.

The data of this project was analysed and prepared for academic journal publication using the very themes upon which the AEYLF is built; Identity, Connection to the world, Wellbeing, Confident Learning and Effective Communication. Papers presenting the data within these themes are a central …