Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Early Childhood Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

PDF

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year

Articles 1 - 30 of 76

Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education

The Importance Of Teaching Social-Emotional Skills To Young Children, Stephanie Valdez Dec 2023

The Importance Of Teaching Social-Emotional Skills To Young Children, Stephanie Valdez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

My capstone project enhances the social-emotional skills of preschool children, which are fundamental for relationships, emotional management, and empathy. Children lacking these skills may struggle in learning, behavior, and socializing when they progress to elementary school. Studies have shown that social-emotional competence and cognitive competence are critical predictors of academic accomplishment (Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Student Benefits: Implications for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Core Elements, n.d.). Children in preschool who lack these skills may experience difficulties in learning, behavior, and socializing as they progress to elementary school (Amy Morin, 2019). A significant issue arises when children encounter obstacles …


Increasing Social And Emotional Competencies Among Special Education Preschoolers, Alix Li Katz-Polowitz Dec 2023

Increasing Social And Emotional Competencies Among Special Education Preschoolers, Alix Li Katz-Polowitz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

My capstone project focused on preschoolers’ emotional competence, which is defined as the ability to purposefully and truly experience a variety of emotions while regulating behavior patterns (Domitrovich et al., 2017). It is difficult for preschoolers to regulate their emotions and even more challenging for SPED children. Children who have difficulties associated with being in SPED are often rejected by other children and do not have opportunities to develop strong social skills. This can result in these children avoiding social situations in general, which causes them to fall further behind their peers with their social abilities (Schmitt et al., 2021). …


Building Anger Management Skills In Preschoolers, Manuelita Valdez Aceves May 2023

Building Anger Management Skills In Preschoolers, Manuelita Valdez Aceves

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many young kids have not yet developed social-emotional skills, which prevents them from controlling their feelings and emotions. When children do not learn to regulate their emotions, anger, frustration, and aggression issues are more likely to arise. However, when they do develop these skills, children can build self-awareness and confidence, increase empathy for others, and build positive relationships. Therefore, to support young children in developing self-regulation skills and dealing with feelings, I created a three-day lesson for teaching anger management skills to preschool children at Migrant Seasonal Head Start in Gonzales, California.


Effects Of Covid-19 On Classroom Behavior Of Elementary School Students, Emma Ballesteros May 2023

Effects Of Covid-19 On Classroom Behavior Of Elementary School Students, Emma Ballesteros

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this capstone project is to inform parents, current and future educators about the harms that COVID-19 has brought into the classroom after the period of isolation. During this period, families were forced to stay indoors for their safety. Parents had to juggle between their jobs, their children, and themselves. All of these were going on while a child should be focusing on learning in the classroom. Through extensive literature review and interviews with elementary school teachers, the result finding indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic is the cause of student behaviors in the classroom that have affected many …


Social And Emotional Effects Of Distance Learning On Elementary School Students During And After Covid-19, Kelsey Clark May 2023

Social And Emotional Effects Of Distance Learning On Elementary School Students During And After Covid-19, Kelsey Clark

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Currently, there is a major shift in the modality of instructions as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it has affected the way education is viewed and the relationship between schooling and the lifestyle of the students. By reflecting on the last couple of years since COVID-19 to the present, many students are still hindered due to the effects of the world going around them, starting from school lockdown to the return of face-to-face instructions. This senior capstone examines the social and emotional effects of distance learning on elementary school students through the use of a literature review, class …


Increasing Science Curriculum In Preschool, Sandra Rogel May 2023

Increasing Science Curriculum In Preschool, Sandra Rogel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Early preschool curriculum often needs more attention to science. When the science curriculum is missing from the preschool curriculum, children may not recognize early science concepts, develop little interest in scientific concepts, and lack sufficient skills for kindergarten readiness. When preschool children are exposed to a science curriculum, they begin to apply scientific concepts, acquire scientific language, and develop scientific thinking. Therefore, to address the insufficiency of science in the preschool curriculum, I developed a three-day lesson for 3 to 5-year-olds at MCOE Early Learning Program at Creekside in Salinas, California.


Improving Self-Regulation Skills In Kindergarten Students, Elizabeth Andrade May 2023

Improving Self-Regulation Skills In Kindergarten Students, Elizabeth Andrade

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many young children have not yet developed social emotional skills. A lack of social emotional learning and self-regulation skills may result in children who may be unable to manage big emotions such as anger. Without the skills to process these big emotions, they may experience conflict in peer relationships leading to them potentially acting out. Children who learn social-emotional skills inherit self-regulation techniques that help combat emotional distress and encourage regulation. In order to support children in developing emotional regulation skills, I have created a two-day lesson for Kindergarteners at Robert Down Elementary school.


If Stress Is The Lock Is Communication The Key, Riley Romero, Bailey Julian, Danielle Carter May 2023

If Stress Is The Lock Is Communication The Key, Riley Romero, Bailey Julian, Danielle Carter

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project was meant to analyze the possible issues high school student-athletes may face academically as well as mentally while in school. This issue is important to note because there is an increase in students participating in sports and the offered school support should reflect the growing population. An argument that was found was the possible overlook of the mental well-being of the student-athletes if they are academically succeeding or are accomplished athletes. The primary stakeholders perspectives chosen were current high school student-athletes because they are able to provide insight into the current issues that student-athletes …


Kindergarten Social And Emotional Learning Development, Liliana Garduno Dec 2022

Kindergarten Social And Emotional Learning Development, Liliana Garduno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Social and Emotional Learning Skills for students who attend Community Partnership for Youth after-school program.


Improving Kindness In A Preschool Classroom, Mayari Chavez Dec 2022

Improving Kindness In A Preschool Classroom, Mayari Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Improving Kindness within a preschool classroom.


Children's Educational Online Workshop, Angelica Bautista May 2022

Children's Educational Online Workshop, Angelica Bautista

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Greenfield Branch Library is one of the many Monterey County Free Libraries that offer multiple no-cost services to the community. The library’s mission is to serve its community and bring ideas, inspiration, information, and enjoyment to the community. Unfortunately, children are less likely to participate in educational activities when their families struggle financially. This is the case for many families during the pandemic and its aftermath. The Children's Educational Online Workshop aimed to be free academic support for families who cannot afford it elsewhere. My educational workshop took place on April 26 and April 27 both at four pm, …


Assessing Professionals Working With Latinx Families With Special Needs In Monterey County, Jose Francisco Hernandez Rivera May 2022

Assessing Professionals Working With Latinx Families With Special Needs In Monterey County, Jose Francisco Hernandez Rivera

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Special Kids Connect (SKC) is a nonprofit organization serving children with disabilities and their families in Monterey County. This capstone project concentrated on the professionals working with children as part of SKC’s Early Start Intervention Program. The project’s objective was to discover local agencies' professional development training needs that serve Latinx families with disabled children between 2 to 8 years. Seventy-five child-care providers, early intervention service professionals, regional center staff, and school district personnel responded to the survey. They indicated an overall 60 % needed an understanding of systems related to IEPs, Early Start Services, Developmental Screenings, Social-Emotional Screenings, Regional …


Promoting Emotional Development Skills In Preschool Children., Carolina Cordova May 2022

Promoting Emotional Development Skills In Preschool Children., Carolina Cordova

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some preschool students have not yet developed the skills to regulate their emotions. Without sufficient skills on how to regulate their emotions, their academic progress may be negatively affected, and their ability to thrive in their Kindergarten classroom may be compromised. In order to help them develop the skills to regulate their emotions, I have created a three-day lesson for preschool students at Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Bay in Seaside, California.


Increasing The Awareness Of Emotional Regulation In Young Children, Duran Andrea May 2022

Increasing The Awareness Of Emotional Regulation In Young Children, Duran Andrea

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many children have not yet developed effective strategies to cope with their emotions in a healthy manner. Lack of emotional regulation in children may result in behavioral and social issues such as mental health issues and poor temperament. When children are able to understand how to positively cope with their emotions, they will be able to properly regulate their emotions throughout their life using healthy mechanisms. In order to improve children’s ability to regulate their emotions, I formulated a two-part curriculum to demonstrate positive coping strategies and tools to regulate emotions for 1st grade students at Robert H. Down Elementary …


Nature-Based Education For Elementary Students With Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Kayleigh Morrison May 2022

Nature-Based Education For Elementary Students With Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Kayleigh Morrison

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are several advantages to including a nature-based curriculum and outdoor learning into state standards, and the consequences of students who do not have access to outside learning and activities can be severe. The term “Attention Restoration Theory” (ART) was coined by psychology professors Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in 1989 and claims that exposure to nature can improve mental fatigue and concentration. This senior capstone examines Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory and academic studies rooted in its philosophy as it applies to nature-based curriculum and outdoor learning. There are certain advantages for students who are exposed to a nature-based curriculum and …


The Impact Of One Can Impact The Majority: Benefits Of Social And Emotional Learning, Melissa Perez May 2022

The Impact Of One Can Impact The Majority: Benefits Of Social And Emotional Learning, Melissa Perez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For my 2022 senior Capstone Project, I chose to focus on looking at the benefits of implementing and teaching Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills to today’s students, their families and educators. Social and Emotional Learning involves teaching students: self awareness, self management, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills. With these skill sets, communities that are composed of students, families and educators, can create beneficial impacts amongst each other as a butterfly effect. One teacher was interviewed on how they incorporate social and emotional learning into their classroom and what they think could be done to improve it. …


The Effects Of Covid-19 On Early Childhood Mental Health Development, Taylor Ybanez May 2022

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Early Childhood Mental Health Development, Taylor Ybanez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A child’s development is of the highest importance to any person that has the opportunity to teach them. Due to the impact of COVID-19, many people, especially developing children have struggled with their mental health development. With the lack of resources and outreach opportunities, some of them had to be left alone for a good portion of their time during their stay-at-home orders due to not being allowed to attend school. This senior capstone is to bring awareness of the toll COVID-19 has taken on children’s development in terms of their emotional, physiological, and physical well-being. The findings offer some …


Increasing Social Awareness Skills In Kindergarten Students, Chloe Dennis May 2022

Increasing Social Awareness Skills In Kindergarten Students, Chloe Dennis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Social awareness is a key component of social-emotional learning and is often underrepresented in kindergarten curriculum. Students who struggle with social awareness are at a greater risk for antisocial behaviors, low academic performance, diminished self-efficacy, low motivation, and low adaptability. Jean Piagets’ cognitive-developmental theory places kindergarten-age students in the preoperational stage of development. At this stage, children are egocentric, exhibit centrated thought, and struggle to use perspective and empathic skills. Kindness, problem-solving, and maintaining positive relationships are all rooted in social awareness and require students to move away from egocentric thinking. I designed a three-part lesson on acts of kindness …


Increasing Social Development For 5th Graders, Akito Aromin May 2022

Increasing Social Development For 5th Graders, Akito Aromin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Elementary school kids in 5th grade had social development being enhanced before the year 2020. The pandemic hit in 2020, causing the social development of children to falter. There have been more negative effects on social development in children, impacting their regulation of emotions, respect, and even forming friendships to have troubling effects. This is expressed because of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), ceasing any real-life events or schools to halt for a bit and moving to remote learning for the time being. This paper outlines how social development in 5th graders was impacted, providing research needed on how you can increase …


Developing Emotional Regulation Skills In Students With Disabilities, Alexis Romero May 2022

Developing Emotional Regulation Skills In Students With Disabilities, Alexis Romero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some students with developmental and learning disabilities have not yet developed emotional regulation skills. Children who struggle with expressing themselves may have difficulty forming relationships, lack confidence, and display behavioral problems, and for children with developmental disabilities, the effects may be magnified. When children are able to express and regulate their emotions, they can have positive relationships, develop a sense of self, and even learn to be empathetic.


Why Culture Matters: The Importance And Effectiveness Of Creating A Multicultural Classroom When Teaching Elementary School Students In Public Schools, Haley Judith Quintana Dec 2021

Why Culture Matters: The Importance And Effectiveness Of Creating A Multicultural Classroom When Teaching Elementary School Students In Public Schools, Haley Judith Quintana

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is to analyze the benefits of having a multicultural classroom in elementary schools. Multicultural education refers to any form of education or teaching that incorporates the histories, texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds. Teaching about multiculturalism can increase not only the teacher's knowledge, but also the students' learning. From this Capstone project the researchers learned how some teachers and parents feel about having different cultures being taught in the classroom. Based on the information that is collected the researchers found ways to incorporate multiculturalism. Upon interviewing four elementary teachers …


Overcoming Technology Illiteracy, Yolanda Cruz Dec 2021

Overcoming Technology Illiteracy, Yolanda Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Community Bridges Child & Adult Care Food Program is a non-profit organization that strives to provide yearly services to the tri-county residents of Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and San Benito County. Amidst their service providence, the agency works diligently with daycare providers. A requirement for working daycare providers is to take annual training that incorporates new regulations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).


Developing Better Study Habits Through Peer Mentoring, Desteney Garcia Dec 2021

Developing Better Study Habits Through Peer Mentoring, Desteney Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many children lack the resources and opportunities to improve their studying skills. Specific skills include improving their peer mentoring abilities, ranging from learning to listen, guide, or collaborate. By giving students the knowledge on studying and being in charge of their work with their peers, they become more engaged with the content and develop a sense of competency. Interactions will also help students improve their prosocial behavior. To test out my theory, I worked with seven students involved with the First Tee of Monterey County. They varied in ages but learned what studying is and what it entails. They then …


Teaching Latino Parents About Early Intervention And Asd, Maricela Lopez Jul 2021

Teaching Latino Parents About Early Intervention And Asd, Maricela Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, identified by persistent impairment in reciprocal communication and social interactions and restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities(Campisi et al., 2018). The lack of awareness of early intervention has a significant setback on their children’s developmental domains. Many Latino families are unaware of resources that can help young children with autism. Latinos endured many challenges, especially being underdiagnosed compared to white non-Hispanics They face challenges such as language barriers, cultural awareness, and denial Latinos families need to learn more about ASD to support their children's development. Research confirms that …


The Lack Of Environmental Awareness In Preschool Curriculum, Micaela Padgett May 2021

The Lack Of Environmental Awareness In Preschool Curriculum, Micaela Padgett

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper attempts to bring attention to the lack of environmental awareness in preschool curriculum.


¿Cómo Le Va A Mi Estudiante En Clase?: Increasing Parent Involvement For Latinx Elementary Students, Lisset Ochoa May 2021

¿Cómo Le Va A Mi Estudiante En Clase?: Increasing Parent Involvement For Latinx Elementary Students, Lisset Ochoa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parental involvement in the education of Latinx elementary students is truly essential. If a student does not receive the guidance or commitment from their parents while they are young, they may struggle in their education. Early parental involvement, it is claimed, will increase children's motivation to learn while also encouraging cognitive and emotional competencies. It is necessary to incorporate resources that increase parental involvement so that Latinx parents are aware of the help their students need. Two teachers, the vice principal, and two parents were interviewed in order to learn more about the resources that would be useful to both …


Increasing Social-Emotional Development Skills In Preschoolers, Skyler Thao May 2021

Increasing Social-Emotional Development Skills In Preschoolers, Skyler Thao

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many preschool children have not yet developed skills of emotional regulation, and often, emotional regulation is not being taught in their classrooms. When children struggle with regulating their emotions, they are more likely to be underprepared for Kindergarten, have their long term mental health be affected, and have conflict with their peers. To help address the lack of emotional regulation skills taught in preschool classrooms, I created a two-day lesson for the preschoolers at the Military Monterey Road Child Development Center in Seaside, California.


Increasing Bullying Prevention Curriculum In Elementary Schools, Alexis Doty May 2021

Increasing Bullying Prevention Curriculum In Elementary Schools, Alexis Doty

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Bullying prevention is often absent from elementary school curriculum. Many young elementary students may not know how to recognize and address bullying when it occurs, potentially causing early harm to their social and emotional development and their academic performance throughout their primary school years. To address the lack of bullying prevention and education, I created a three-day lesson on bullying and bullying intervention which I intend on presenting to a class of fifth graders at Las Animas Elementary School in Gilroy, California.


Increasing Bullying Awareness In Middle Schools, Crystal Rocha May 2021

Increasing Bullying Awareness In Middle Schools, Crystal Rocha

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Bullying is a repetitive behavior of mistreatment towards someone less powerful than you. This includes to be verbal, physical, and social. This issue is very common in schools, but students don't get enough knowledge from this behavior to be able to change or help others.


Raising Awareness In Early Language & Literacy, Elisabeth Causor May 2021

Raising Awareness In Early Language & Literacy, Elisabeth Causor

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper attempts to provide information on bringing awareness to parents on early reading and literacy. Through learning about the big 5 factors and providing examples of how parents can making reading engaging.