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Early Childhood Education Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education

The Relationship Between The Amount Of Time Spent In The Block Center And Gender Differences In Preschool Children’S Spatial Performance, Narges Sareh Dec 2020

The Relationship Between The Amount Of Time Spent In The Block Center And Gender Differences In Preschool Children’S Spatial Performance, Narges Sareh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated whether there is a relationship between the amount of time children spend in the block center and their spatial skills, as well as the gender differences in the amount of time children spend in the block center and in their spatial skills. In addition, other factors influencing spatial skills were examined (e.g. child’s age, parents’ level of education). Using a correlational quantitative design, 75 preschoolers in eight Head Start classrooms were observed three times during their free play time. An existing instrument was used (TOSA: Verdine & Golinkoff, 2018) to measure children’s spatial skills. In addition, …


Head Start Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions Of Reggio Emilia Principles Practiced Within Their Own Setting: A Case Study, Tara Terry Voit Aug 2020

Head Start Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions Of Reggio Emilia Principles Practiced Within Their Own Setting: A Case Study, Tara Terry Voit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) and Head Start (HS) value high-quality early education, support for families, and community partnerships according to the literature. Exploring principles of REA in relation to the HS program model may reveal alignment that will inform high-quality developmentally appropriate practices that are meaningful and enhance learning outcomes. This multiple case study explores the REA in alignment within three Head Start programs in New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Participant groups include one education director, one education leader, and four teachers in each of the three locations. In New Mexico, the HS program was located on a Native …


Determining If Classroom Pets As Part Of An Empathy-Based Intervention Affect Public Elementary School Students’ Empathy, Randa Dunlap Aug 2020

Determining If Classroom Pets As Part Of An Empathy-Based Intervention Affect Public Elementary School Students’ Empathy, Randa Dunlap

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine if consistent exposure to classroom pets in public elementary school classrooms affected children’s empathy. The sample included 44 students (females = 22; males = 22; mean age = 8.3 years) from four third-grade classrooms. A pre-test, post-test design was used to measure students’ empathy levels, and percentage changes in empathy scores were recorded for all groups. The sample was a convenience sample, and random assignment to treatment groups was not possible. Treatment included using classroom pet fish along with empathy-based lessons. Of the four participating classrooms, one classroom was the …


A Study Of Empathy And Teacher Self-Efficacy Among Preservice Early Childhood Educators, Amy Wilson May 2020

A Study Of Empathy And Teacher Self-Efficacy Among Preservice Early Childhood Educators, Amy Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study sought to examine empathy and teacher self-efficacy among preservice early childhood teachers. Participants were selected from two courses in East Tennessee State University’s early childhood education program. A total of 18 students from their second year of study and 33 students from their fourth year of study participated. This totaled to 51 participants (92.2 % white, 2% African American and 2% Native American; 96.1% female, 3.9% male). An online survey that contained three sections, background information, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale was sent to the participants. After online surveys were completed, …