Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Prekindergarten Participation Upon Academic Placement, Mary Suddarth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Prekindergarten Program for Children At Risk of Academic Failure had impact on a child's future academic placement. Current uncertainty regarding continued ISBE or federal funding of programs makes such a longitudinal study imperative. This study examined the 1995-1996 academic placement, including additional resources required, i.e., Title 1, speech, or learning disabled services, for 40 children who participated in the 1990-1991 Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Educational Service Region cooperative prekindergarten program in Jefferson County. Results indicated that all children reached expected placement, regardless of one …

A Bilingual Developmentally Appropriate Preschool Program, Margarita Clara Lopez

All Graduate Projects

Developmental and learning theories of the twentieth century have influenced the role of the preschool programs in public education. The debate over what is appropriate curriculum for young children is nation wide. The need to have a bilingual summer program that is appropriate to young children in the Granger School District was studied. The result was to design and develop a bilingual summer program that would fit the needs of the preschool aged children. The bilingual summer program was piloted in the Granger, Washington School District.

Utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis: A Handbook For Teachers Who Are Dealing With Developmentally Delayed Children, Cleresse Sprague

All Graduate Projects

The author's perception is that a need exists for a classroom behavior management handbook targeting developmentally delayed children ages three years through first grade. Several occurrences have prompted this perception: 1. Approach by other teachers asking how to handle certain behaviors 2. Author's own experiences and frustrations 3. Participation in group discussions regarding behaviors The author has chosen to do this study and develop a handbook to meet this perceived need.

Examining The Effects Of A Self-Study Package On Teachers' Use Of Coincidental Teaching In Preschool Classrooms, Laurie A. Dinnebeil

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This investigation examined the effects of a self-study package on three early childhood special education teachers' use of coincidental teaching with preschool children with, or at risk for, disabilities. The results of this investigation showed that all teachers performed better on a posttest than a pretest measure for knowledge of coincidental teaching. Teachers were also able to complete a series of written assignments pertaining to coincidental teaching. Increases in coincidental teaching knowledge, however, were not accompanied by changes in coincidental teaching behavior for two of the three teachers. Participating teachers reported satisfaction with the self-study package as an instructional format …

Promoting Collaborative Learning In The Early Childhood Classroom: Reggio Emilia, Italy, And Amherst, Massachusetts., Carolyn P. Edwards, Lella Gandini, John Nimmo

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

This chapter describes a study that was conducted in Reggio Emilia (Emilia Romagna, northern Italy), Pistoia (Tuscany, Italy) and Amherst (Massachusetts, USA) as part of a three study project investigating how teachers promote collaboration and community in their classrooms. The methodology involved a combination of teacher interviews with an adaptation of the “multivocal video-ethnography developed by Tobin, Wu, and Davidson (1989) for Preschool in Three Cultures. This paper describes the findings from the Collaboration Interviews with teachers in Reggio Emilia and Amherst, showing intersections and differences in their concepts of young children’s capacities for cooperation and teachers’ roles in …

The Continuity Of Literacy Development: Kindergarten To Year 1, Lennie Barblett

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to investigate the continuity of strategies and provisions that teachers use to develop children's literacy in kindergarten and Year 1. In two metropolitan Ministry of Education districts, 27 kindergarten and 25 Year 1 teachers completed a questionnaire concerning issues relating to literacy development in these two educational settings. From this population four teachers were interviewed to investigate areas of interest that arose from the questionnaire. The results showed that kindergarten and Year 1 teachers differed in the selection of strategies and provisions to promote literacy in young children. There was a clear delineation between …

A Resource Handbook For Planning And Implementing An Integrated Preschool Program, James Wallace Holden

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a resource handbook to assist teachers and administrators responsible for implementing an integrated preschool program. To accomplish this purpose, research and literature relative to current integration delivery models, primarily those in Washington State were reviewed. The handbook developed was piloted in the Taholah, Washington School District.

Creating Safe Places For Conflict Resolution To Happen, Carolyn P. Edwards

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The context of the preschool classroom provides an opportunity to help children learn cooperation, joint problem solving, and positive social behavior. To think about such a classroom context, it is helpful to explore 3 dimensions of the environment: the intellectual atmosphere (Is this a safe place to think and wonder?) the moral atmosphere (Am I important here? Does my participation count?) and the community atmosphere (Do these people care about me? Do i care about them?)

The Effect Of Early Day Care On The Social Skills Of Kindergarteners And Third Graders, Jodie Baugh

Graduate Theses

The effect of day care histories (full-time care beginning in infancy, part-time care, and exclusive maternal care) on kindergarteners and third graders social development was examined. One hundred and fifty-one students from Midland Independent School District participated in the study. The students were rated on their social behavior by their teachers and peers. There were no significant differences between children who had been in day care and children who had not. The children who began full-time day care in infancy were rated lower on some behaviors than their peers who had entered day care at later ages. The main effects …

Early Childhood Special Education Philosophy And Procedures Manual For Walla Walla School District, Sandra Kay Lee

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a philosophy and procedures manual for the Walla Walla School District's center-based special education preschool program. Twenty-five school districts were asked if they possessed a philosophy and procedures manual. Six of those school districts possessed a parent manual. None of the districts possessed a procedures manual.

A manual was developed through interview of staff members and adaptation of Head-Start procedures. The manual contains procedures for abuse and neglect reporting, emergency/health, referral, child-find, extended school year, transition, teacher planning, and a parent orientation manual.

A Comparison Of The Academic Achievement Of Urban Second-Grade Pupils With Different Forms Of Public Preschool Experience, Elva Williams Hunt

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Assessment of the potential value of the preschool experience has prompted urban educators to consider the advantages of preschool service delivery by the public schools. Urban policy makers ponder whether or not advocacy for preschool education should include advocacy of the provider. This study addressed the provision of preschool service for students from urban low-income families.

The grade placement of students born in three consecutive years was observed to determine their progress during the first three years of public schooling. Students were categorized with regard to their participation in preschool: some had attended a public school system preschool, First Step; …

Creative Learning: A Curriculum For Preprimary Children. Unit 8, Dinosaur Era And Fossils, Marjorie L. Oelerich, Jean Peterson, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

DINOSAUR ERA AND FOSSILS is one resource unit. It is hoped to serve as a resource to others as they guide the learning of young children. It is not a cut-and-dried, how-to-do-it book. But it is a collection of numerous learning experiences within the context of a unit setting. The various disciplines are not, and cannot, be separated; learning overlaps. With a central theme, young children will have many opportunities to examine, investigate, explore, experience and discover concepts of meaning. As the children approach the same concept from a number of experiences, they will have opportunities to formulate ideas, to …

Increasing The Disadvantaged Preschool Child's Ability To Follow Oral Directions Through Cooking Experiences, Elizabeth A. Karas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The author developed and implemented a program to increase the preschool disadvantaged child's ability to follow oral directions. The program's aims were to help the child to follow one, two, and three step oral directions given by a teacher which is considered a minimum competency for entrance into the district's kindergarten reading program. The program contained the following basic components: Pretesting of children to ascertain their score on a prereading readiness subtest called "Following Oral Directions”; inservice for parents to encourage their understanding and home cooperation; implementation of cooking activities in the classroom; participation of parents in similar home activities; …

The Pre-First Transition Room Program, Jeffrey Scott Peck

All Master's Theses

The pre-first transition room program was studied. Characteristics, philosophies, testing procedures, and reading programs were described. Twenty schools in Educational Service District 171 were surveyed to determine attitudes and the type of pre-first programs available in the Educational Service District. Twenty pre-first students were observed throughout the 1986-87 school year to determine social, emotional, and academic growth. Results indicated similar immature characteristics were displayed by developmentally young children. Pre-first programs are similar in philosophy, goals, and curriculum design. Pre-first programs can provide developmental activities which meet individual needs of pre-first children.

A Developmental Curriculum For Multiply Handicapped Preschool Children In The Areas Of Visual Motor, Fine Motor, And Sensory Skills, Denise Ghislaine Wentz Page

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to design a developmental curriculum of activities for nonambulatory-multiply handicapped preschoolers, ages birth to 5 years. Visual motor, fine motor, and sensory skills were the areas specifically designed for the curriculum. A review of literature was conducted, investigating current information of curriculum for preschool nonambulatory-multiply handicapped children. Samples of curriclum from a variety of preschool project models were examined. A compilation of data resulted in a preschool curriculum for nonambulatory-multiply handicapped children.

A Project Designed To Identify And Assist Potential Slow Learners At The Pre-Kindergarten Level, Anita Louise Rakoz

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this paper is to research students who have continuous academic problems in school. Data is collected to identify the needs and problems of these children. Solutions are presented to meet identified needs. Behavior testing and an adult training program, which involves the services and funds of various existing social services agencies, are introduced as methods for meeting the student problems.

"The Family" As A Core Curriculum For A Nursery-Kindergarten Class, Marcy Zweig

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The curriculum described uses the central theme of "the family" as a core idea to connect and organize different areas of knowledge such as language arts, science, music, etc. The curriculum was implemented in a nursery-kindergarten class in a small, private elementary school in Manhattan. The class was a mixed age grouping of three, four, and five year olds. The first chapter describes a philosophy of education based on the philosophy and writing of John Dewey. The second chapter looks at the developmental level of the age group, based on the theories of Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget. The third …

The Development Of A Comprehensive Preschool Screening Instrument, Jana Lee Johnson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to research criteria for screening for young, handicapped children with the intent of developing a single, comprehensive screening instrument. Analyses of existing screening devices and data from educators in the field were also included in the study.

The resulting screening instrument was designed to assess the developmental acquisition of skills. Major developmental areas included in the screening instrument are language skills, motor development, perceptual skills, cognitive development, social skills, and self-help skills.

Nutritional Understanding Of Preschool Children Taught In The Home And Child Development Laboratory, Thomas R. Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was devised to determine the readiness of preschool children to learn about basic concepts of nutrition. Sixty preschool children enrolled in the Utah State University Child Development Laboratory, comprised the sample. Twenty children were taught at home by parents, 20 were taught at the Laboratory, and 20 received no instruction. The curriculum was based on the concept of nutrient density and used the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) in developing instructional materials. INQ is an index for comparing the amount of nutrients to the amount of calories in a food. Food Profile Cards, visual representations of this information …

The Preschool Child's Knowledge Of Musical Pitch, Farol Ann Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to determine what kinds of musical instruments were most effective in developing pitch discrimination in preschool children. Five melody instruments were used in this study, including a wooden soprano recorder, a C flute, a commercially made xylophone, a melodica, and a set of cut conduit pipes played as a xylophone-type instrument. Children from the Child Development Labs at Utah State University, Logan, Utah comprised the sample.

It was found that children do identify high and low pitches more easily in some instruments than in others. They discriminated between high and low pitches of the …

A Multi-Sensory Curriculum For Young Children : [A Paper] ..., Mary Barbara Stark

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Since many educators and philosophers, including Montessori and Piaget, advocate training of the sense as a prerequisite to formal learning, and since two ERIC searches failed to turn up such research it was decided to test out it the use of a multi-sensory curriculum does influence the achievement level of young children.

Taylor University Magazine (Winter 1974), Taylor University

The Taylor Magazine (1963-Present)

The Winter 1974 edition of Taylor Magazine, published by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Selecting Literature For The Preschool Child, Sharon Kluck

Honors Theses

Although the world of books can be one of fascination and intrigue to any age group, this can be particularly true for the preschooler. During these very impressionable years, books can be used in broadening experiences as well as in combining knowledge and enjoyment to form a book philosophy that will carry over for life. since building this appreciation of books is so important, the proper tools are necessary in correct sequence. Good literature must be carefully selected to fulfill the need.

Taylor University Magazine (Spring 1968), Taylor University

The Taylor Magazine (1963-Present)

The Spring 1968 edition of Taylor Magazine, published by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

The Content Of Preschool Children's Original Stories, Danae Elaine Dana

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The early years of childhood are characterized by new ideas; experimentation; the building of relationships; fears, both real and imagined; and play, through which the child tries to assemble these experiences into a meaningful whole. The early years are an exciting, complex and vibrant time of learning while the child grows in his understanding of himself and the world around him.

The Relative Effectiveness Of An Eight-Week Summer Training Program For Culturally Deprived Preschool Children, Jim L. Weems

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this investigation to measure and interpret the effects of preschool experiential training on a sample of culturally deprived pre-first grade children in Yakima, Washington, in the areas of intellectual ability, visual perceptual development, and social maturity. It was felt that organized data regarding the effects of this training would be helpful in making a determination as to the value of the training itself, and in providing information which would be of use in developing similar programs in the future.

Differences In Frustration Reactions Of A Group Of Preschool Children, Lorraine Storey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent years, the concept of frustration has been central in both mental hygiene and social psychology. This is rightfully so. Frustration has been defined as any kind of thwarting or blocking of the motive (4, 7, 14). Any person involved in modern day living is confronted with many types of situations which do actually block or thwart his wishes or drives. A person may be blocked because of conditions existing in the environment, because of personal inadequacies, and because of conflicting drives. Since a person is forced to face so many sources of frustration, the method that he chooses …

Health At The Preschool Ages, Hubert Stanley Coffey

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

The preschool child is the forgotten child of our health programs. When the community undertakes a health program of a preventive kind such as vaccination or health examination, too frequently it is limited to those children attending the public schools. Here the children are assembled and it is easier to carry out any specific health measure. The public health nurse or official may more easily identify diseases among these children. Because of their close association, epidemics among children are thought more dangerous and are more easily coped with. But such measures are just as urgently needed with the preschool child.