Education Commons^™

An Examination Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) And Conscious Discipline As An Intervention To Challenging Behaviors In The Preschool Classroom, Jennifer Nelson

Graduate Teacher Education

In the field of early childhood education, there has been a growing concern over the number of challenging behaviors being displayed. To decrease the display of challenging behaviors, educators have been looking for positive strategies and supports to help manage the display of challenging behaviors such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) (Carter, Van Norman, & Tredwell, 2011), and Conscious Discipline (Bailey, 2014). When managing the display of challenging behaviors, a shift has occurred from using negative discipline practices to implementing positive guidance approaches in early childhood (EC) classrooms (Carter et al., 2011). When educators teach the children what …

Best Practice And Strategies To Effectively Support Dual Language Learners, Sydney Richardson

Graduate Teacher Education

According to Winsler et al. (2014), the fastest growing population of students entering preschool classrooms are considered Dual Language Learners (DLLs). Teachers are expected to teach these young learners, yet most of them feel unprepared to do so (Kibler, 2013). Many early childhood educators are unaware of the best practices and strategies to effectively support Dual Language Learners (DLLs) while preserving home language and culture (Hardin et al., 2010). In this review of literature, peer reviewed studies were examined for best practices teachers can utilize when working with children whose home language is not English. Results suggest that having children …

Strategies For Supporting Professional Growth In Early Childhood Team Members, Kristin Goetz

Graduate Teacher Education

Early childhood education (ECE) teachers, including pre-service and in-service workers, have reported the need for ongoing professional development support (Boyer, 2004; Buettner, Hye Hur, Jeon & Andrews, 2016; Brown, Cheddie, Horry, & Monk, 2017). Specific targeted support for professionalism was addressed as a retention strategy for the future of ECE (Boyer, 2004). The lack of consistent minimum qualifications for ECE teachers has contributed to a number of teachers in the field having little understanding regarding professionalism as a whole when teacher careers commence. The quality of learning and teaching in the classroom has been said to be largely determined by …

Fostering Resilience Through Early Childhood Education, Amanda Nelson

Graduate Teacher Education

Resilience is the capacity to thrive in, rather than just survive stress and adversity (Ernst et al., 2019). Supporting children to develop resilience is an essential part of holistic developmentally appropriate practice within the field of Early Childhood Education because an improved capacity for resilience benefits other domains of education and wellness (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011). Studies on resilience in early childhood education were examined to identify and explore protective factors, classroom strategies, and home relationships that contribute to an increased capacity for resilience in young children. In addition, position statements and articles from early …

Ways Technology Impact Cognitive Development In Early Childhood Environment, Katlyn Janssen

Graduate Teacher Education

Dramatic changes have occurred with technology in education worldwide (Sullivan and Bers, 2016). Technology can offer new and exciting ways to get children excited about learning. The types of technology that can be used in a classroom are endless. Research has investigated a wide range of technology in classrooms, from smartboards, to robots, iPads, and tablets to magic educational toys and from computers to apps. The purpose of this capstone project was to evaluate current research to understand what technologies (interventions) can impact cognitive development in preschoolers. Knowing in what ways technology can impact cognitive development in early childhood education …

How Can Nature-Based Learning Support Healthy Overall Development Of Preschoolers In Early Childhood Education?, Tu Lynn Sommerfeld

Graduate Teacher Education

As nature-based learning is gaining momentum in early childhood education programs (Jordan & Chawla, 2019), this is an opportunity for early childhood educators to recognize how nature-based learning can support the healthy overall development of preschoolers in early childhood education. The purpose of this capstone project was to evaluate current research to understand how nature-based learning can provide equitable learning opportunities for preschoolers enrolled in early childhood education programs. Knowing what nature-based learning opportunities are, early childhood educators can incorporate developmentally appropriate practices (NAEYC, 2020), along with scaffolding, and the use of authentic assessments and observations to provide evidence of …

Influences On Children's Executive Function Skills Development, Karie Zierden

Graduate Teacher Education

The development of executive function (EF) skills in young children is influenced by multiple factors; therefore, this paper focused on the association between home and school environmental influences. EF skills include working memory, inhibitory control, and attention or set-shifting cognitive abilities (Garon et al., 2008, as cited in Bernier, Carlson, Deschênes, & Matte-Gagné, 2012). It is important for parents and teachers to understand what EF skills are so these skills can be modeled for children. Parents and teachers also need to provide opportunities for children to practice these skills. With support from parents and other caregivers, children can learn to …

Impact Of Educators' Considerations Of Children's Perspectives On Language Development, Karen Mcdonald

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

Many children are in a group setting for most of the day in early childhood programs with educators developing the programming and schedules (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019). Research was analyzed to see if the lack of consideration of the children’s interests and perspectives had an impact on language development during early childhood. Evidence showed that learning was enhanced when children were given the opportunity to make decisions and engage in meaningful activities of interest to the children (Breathnach, Danby, & O’Gorman, 2017; Kinkead-Clark, 2017; Pyle & Alaca, 2016). The research demonstrated that planning with the children, understanding …

Implementing Positive Guidance Strategies To Reduce Challenging Behavior In Preschool Classrooms, Margaret Weber

Graduate Teacher Education

Preschool teachers are looking for more positive classroom support to handle disruptive behaviors in the classroom such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Carter ,Van Norman, Tredwell (2011). Conscious Discipline Bailey (2014), and Trauma-Informed Practices Erdman, Colker, Winter (2020). Carter, Van Norman and, Tredwell (2010), discussed how there has been a shift from using punitive discipline practices to incorporating positive guidance strategies in early childhood education classrooms. Clearly defined expectations and teaching the expectations positively guide the child’s social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Researchers have shown that using positive guidance strategies such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Conscious …

Effective Phonemic Awareness Instruction For Increased Reading Achievement, Thomas Bulman

Graduate Teacher Education

Reading fluently and for meaning is an essential skill that has allowed students to function effectively in society. Throughout the years, the reading achievement gap has continued to widen and linger across the United States. The low rates of literacy represent a national crisis, especially for low-income Americans. Research shows that strong phonemic awareness instruction and early intervention in the primary grades are key to closing the reading achievement gap. This paper explores the reasons behind the reading achievement gap and what differentiated instructional strategies early educators can employ to support students in the acquisition of skills such as phonemic …

How Can Early Childhood Educators Promote Equitable Outcomes Through Trauma-Informed Practice?, Elizabeth Terry

Graduate Teacher Education

An abundance of research acknowledges the effects of trauma on children from an early age. Prolonged and severe trauma in early childhood can lead to adverse outcomes in important areas of development, such as one’s physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being (Morsy and Rothstein, 2019). Children present school systems and educators with the task of addressing this important, but infrequently considered issue. Trauma has lasting effects regardless of age, but the impacts of trauma during childhood are especially profound during such formative years. Children require safe spaces to learn and flourish as individuals, therefore it is important that early childhood educators …

How A Shift To Choice-Based Visual Arts Pedagogy Affects All Learners In The Classroom And Visual Arts Educators, Amanda Mesenbring

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper reviewed fifteen primary research sources on how a shift from Discipline-Based Art Education to Choice-Based Art Education affected student intrinsic motivation, behaviors in the classroom, diverse learning needs, and visual arts educators. The purpose of this paper was to provide art educators information about choice-based art education with findings on potential benefits and drawbacks to a shift in pedagogy. Benefits found in the research may include increased intrinsic motivation among students and decreased negative behaviors in the classroom. Choice may have benefited students of different learning abilities through the chance for them to create at their learning level …

Whole Language Versus Direct Phonics Instruction, Emma Holtan

Graduate Teacher Education

There has been a debate for the past 30 years over which method is superior for teaching emergent readers, whole language instruction or direct phonics instruction? This literature review poses the question: when differentiated instruction is implemented, is it better to use whole language instruction, direct phonics instruction, or use a combination of both? This paper analyzes research studies looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The studies investigate how whole language and direct phonics instruction each have benefits and drawbacks for whole class instruction. It also examines the benefits of direct phonics instruction as an intervention or …

Impact Of School-Based Mindfulness Programs In Elementary Schools, Hannah Rosholt

Graduate Teacher Education

Educators in the 21st Century face a myriad of emerging concerns with child and adolescent behavior. Surfacing educational issues include increased anxiety disorders, cyber bullying, students who have experienced trauma, increased aggressive behavior, absenteeism, and suicide ideation. As new concerns arise, educators seek ways to support students in these challenges. Mindfulness practice in schools has become more and more prevalent in the past twenty years. Research on adults who practice mindfulness has revealed lowered stress, increased resilience, and clearer focus. Researchers aim to understand the effects of mindfulness on children and adolescents. This paper analyzes how mindfulness practice impacts students’ …

Racial Disproportionality In School Discipline, Melissa Becker

Graduate Teacher Education

Racial disproportionality in discipline has been present, documented and researched for several decades. A growing body of evidence indicates that students of color, most specifically African American males, receive the highest rate and most severe forms of exclusionary discipline (suspension and expulsion). Certain contributing factors found responsible for the increasing rates in disproportionality, such as implicit bias and the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy, have been linked to the Nation’s deeply rooted history of racism. Therefore causing the academic achievement gap between African American and white students to also continue to widen. Evidence further indicates a correlation between exclusionary discipline …

Teaching Expository Writing In The Secondary Classroom, Krista Schroeder

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper synthesized current research on how secondary English-language arts teachers can best teach students to organize their ideas through expository writing. This topic is discussed through research findings about defining “good” writing, organizational indicators of quality writing, assessment, classroom strategies, and the impact of home life during the expository writing process. Research indicated that giving students peer, self, and teacher assessment opportunities could have a positive effect on how students organize their writing. Additionally, recent research has shown that when teachers make the writing process personal and fun, students produced higher quality expository writing. While studies suggested that educators …

Closing The Literacy Gap In Reading Using Phonics And Fluency Interventions, Ariel Markgraf

Graduate Teacher Education

Effective reading interventions are essential in closing the literacy gap. Many educators are unaware of what is considered best practice for struggling readers. This paper analyzed current research on several methods, including phonics, fluency, and mix-method reading interventions and their effects on students’ reading abilities. The effectiveness and fidelity of teacher-led intervention strategies were examined as a causal means to an intervention’s success. There was also a focus on using technology-based applications in various interventions. Research showed several intervention strategies could support struggling readers, including phonic analysis (word boxes), constant time delay, and repeated and continuous reading focusing on the …

Teacher Retention In High-Poverty, Urban Schools, Jill Love

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

Teaching has always been about the success of the students. Students who have effective, qualified teachers show the most success. Throughout the years, schools in urban areas have struggled to keep quality teachers within their buildings. Due to teacher turnover in the neediest schools, the students are greatly affected. The students in high-poverty urban schools are some of the lowest performing students across the country. When you pair low performance with significant teacher turnover, the outcome is grim. Research shows that districts and schools need to do more than just recruit qualified teachers, they must also retain them for …