Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Nebline, July 2013

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Integrated Pest Management in Nebraska Schools: Solving Pest Problems Effectively with Fewer Pesticides

Farm Views

Urban Agriculture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Horticulture

Environmental Focus

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Preschool Teaching At A Crossroads, Marcy Whitebook

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Quality Profiles In Early Childhood: An Example From Virginia's Quality Rating Improvement System, Kathryn M. Squibb

Theses and Dissertations in Early Childhood Education

Quality in early childhood settings has emerged as an important factor in determining whether the potential benefits of educational experiences before kindergarten will be realized. Research demonstrates that in order for such interventions to be beneficial to young children's development, the quality of their educational environments and experiences must be high. Quality rating and improvement systems (QRISs) are a method to assess, communicate, and improve the level of quality in early childhood settings. These rating systems have the potential to safeguard public investment by making programs accountable for quality, meet a consumer need for families seeking high quality care, and …

The Effect Of Public Pre-Kindergarten Attendance On First Grade Reading And Social Achievement: A District Level Analysis, Michael James Haslip

Theses and Dissertations in Early Childhood Education

The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between attending a school district Pre-K program and children's later literacy and behavior outcomes in the beginning and middle of first grade. Children's text level, letter-sound identification, sight words, spelling and citizenship skills were measured. The study included 880 children who attended the division Pre-K program and 176 children who attended no formal or institutional preschool of any kind. Selection bias was addressed through propensity score matching, completed using optimal matching. Independent-samples t tests were run on literacy and behavior measures. Subgroup analysis was performed to test the effect of …

Nebline, June 2013

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Smart Family Finances

Farm Views

Urban Agriculture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Horticulture

Environmental Focus

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Effects Of The Pre-K Program Of Kalamazoo County Ready 4s On Kindergarten Entry Test Scores: Estimates Based On Data From The Fall Of 2011 And The Fall Of 2012, Timothy J. Bartik

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

This paper uses a regression discontinuity model to examine the effects on kindergarten entrance assessments of the Kalamazoo County Ready 4s (KC Ready 4s) program, a half-day pre-K program for four-year-olds in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. The results are based on test scores and other characteristics of up to 220 children participating in KC Ready 4s, with data coming from both 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 participants in the program. The estimates find consistently statistically significant effects of this pre-K program on improving entering kindergartners’ math test scores. Some estimates also suggest marginally statistically significant effects of KC Ready 4s on vocabulary test …

Getting Ready For School: Piloting Universal Prekindergarten In An Urban County, Robert L. Fischer, Tirth Bhatta, Claudia J. Coulton

Faculty Scholarship

Investments in high-quality early care and education have been shown to reap societal benefits across the lives of the children served. A key intervention point is in the lives of 3- to 5-year olds during the period prior to entering kindergarten. Many jurisdictions have developed broad-based prekindergarten initiatives. This study reports on a pilot universal prekindergarten program in 24 sites in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Child assessment data were collected on 204 children from early care classrooms for 3- to 5-year olds across 3 time points by trained observers using 2 standardized instruments. Changes in achievement scores were shown to …

Investigating The Attitudes Of Pre-Service Early Childhood Educators Concerning Their Attitudes Toward Physical Activity In The Early Years, Rebecca Forbus

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Being Different, Teaching Difference : Challenges And Possibilities For Non-Heterosexual Men In Elementary School Teaching, Jonathan Farmer

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This inquiry brought together the experiences of six male teachers working in NYC schools who identify as either gay, queer, or bisexual. The purpose of this study was to obtain rich qualitative data to create a portrait of these teachers, each with unique backgrounds and opinions about the challenges or responsibilities of working with young children.

Promoting Language Development In Prekindergarten And Kindergarten Classrooms Through Basic Materials : A Tool For Early Childhood Teachers In New Orleans, Jennifer Durkin

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Offers prekindergarten and kindergarten educators in New Orleans a tool for better understanding why it is important and how to offer language rich opportunities in their classrooms.

Storytelling And Play As A Way To Help Children And Adults Internalize The Values Of Environmental Awareness, Sana (Janet) Ehehosi

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This thesis is an empirical study to find out if storytelling can be used as a tool to develop environmental and ecological awareness in an early childhood program. It also discusses the importance oral storytelling has on the language and neurocognitive development of children and why it is important to the development of literacy skills.

Working On Social And Emotional Issues By Bringing Theater And Improvisation Into The Early Childhood Classroom, Mark Penina

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study addresses the need for a social-emotional curriculum through theater techniques and improvisation to help children develop confidence, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence. Includes history of theater and improvisation, review of programs in the field, and an original curriculum for an early childhood/pre-kindergarten setting as well as field-based reflections and a list of suggested resources for integrating social and emotional wellness into the early childhood setting.

A Study & Original Material On Peer Relationships & Concepts Of Friendship In Very Young Children, Maia A. Cannon

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Explores theory, observation, and practice dealing with friendship issues among three to four year old preschoolers. It sketches a portrait of the age group using general developmental and socio-cultural theories, and concludes that social emotional adjustment and relationships are crucial to young children's development. Also includes an original picture book by the author.

The Case For Anti-Bias Preschool And Curriculum For Teachers, Children And Families : Thriving And Learning In A Diverse Child-Led Environment, Nicole Robbins

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Attempts to make the case for the design of an anti-bias preschool. The paper looks at the specific age when young children begin to notice similarities and differences pertaining to physical characteristics, social-economic characteristics, cultural characteristics and developmental variations. It explores the impact formal anti-bias education can have in the preschool setting. This includes impacts on children, families, and teachers. Recommendations are provided in the form of a teacher -training module that includes practical tips as well as an example of an anti-bias curriculum.

Disability In Hiding : The Effects Of Trauma In Early Childhood And The Implications For Classroom Teachers, Dana Baker

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Seeks to define trauma within the context of early childhood and describe in depth the interrelated neurobiological, behavioral, and psychopathological effects of experienced trauma.

Fostering Global Citizens In The Infant And Toddler Classroom For The Cultivation Of A Culture Of Humanism, Stefanie Horton

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine meaningful philosophies and practices of education and care that may contribute to the fostering of youth who respect and value the dignity of all life.

The Teacher In The Studio, Molly Alexander

Graduate Student Independent Studies

As a potter and teacher, the author connected her practice in the studio to her practice in the classroom by designing and creating cups for the two-year-old children she teaches. This thesis includes visual documentation of the author's design and production process, an analysis of theory and research, and a personal reflection.

Another New Teacher : A Children's Book And Teacher's Guide To Addressing Teacher Change, Cheyenne M. Gleason

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A children's picture book which explores the topic of teacher change during the school year. The purpose of this book is to open up a space for conversation around teacher change in classrooms that experience a change in the teaching staff mid-year.

Educating Towards Democracy In Infant/Toddler Classrooms : The Example Of The Bank Street Family Center, Kristina A. Satchell

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This project hopes to shed light on the possibilities and importance of including the youngest citizens of the country (children aged zero-three), their families and their teachers in the discourse and practices of democratic classrooms.

Common Misconceptions And Instructional Best Practices For Teaching Fractions To Students In Grades Three, Four, And Five, Dan Fairchild

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This research paper will identify common misconceptions related to the teaching and learning fractions for students in grades three, four, and five. Different fraction subconstructs will be identified and instructional best practices will be identified for the teaching and learning of comparing fractions, ordering fractions, adding fractions, and subtracting fractions.