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The Impact Of Structural And Process Elements Of Pre-School And Primary School Environments On Children's Cognitive Development At Four Years Of Age, Nodlaig Moore

Masters

The structural and process elements of the early years classroom have contributed to much research in the area of early childhood education. Structural elements have been referred to as regulatable features that are “assumed to indirectly affect the child” (Burchinal, Roberts, Nabors & Bryant et al 1990). Process elements are directly related to children’s experiences and are “more difficult if not impossible to regulate” (Howes, Phillips & Whitebook 1992, p. 480). The structural elements of the early educational environments explained in this study include adult-child ratio, group size and teacher training. The process elements include preacademic activity, expressive activity and …