Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Improving Parental Engagement For Kindergarten Readiness: An Improvement Science Study, Sarah Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Every child deserves the opportunity to come to school ready to learn with the skills needed to take on the content in kindergarten. Students, who are not ready for kindergarten, have a higher chance of needing additional support services with academics and behavior (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). In Kentucky, less than 50% of the kindergarten students were considered kindergarten ready based on the 2022 Kindergarten Readiness data (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). In the district where this study took place, 43% of students were determined to be kindergarten ready (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). Knowing the implications and long term …

The Academic Outcomes And Adverse Childhood Experiences For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeralyn Danielle Kessler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to review the literature to examine the academic outcomes and experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There were three research questions to examine academic outcomes, experiences of ACEs, and determine if research has addressed the possible interaction between academic outcomes with ACES for students with ASD. A systematic literature review was completed. Twenty-two articles were coded for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and math and reading achievement outcomes. Studies included within the review indicated that children with ASD are at an increased risk for …

Response To Intervention In Early Childhood Education, Kendyl Young Hinson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to review literature on Response to Intervention (RTI) at the early childhood level. RTI has become increasingly prevalent within K-12 settings. Less research exists for the expansion within early childhood settings. A systematic review of literature was conducted and all available literature on RTI in early childhood education since 2004 was identified and reviewed. Articles were sorted into three broad categories for review: (a) combined, (b) academics, and (c) social emotional behaviors. The review indicated the different behaviors recommended to be examined within the early childhood setting, types of assessment methods used, and interventions …

Research Into Practice: Exploring Teacher Practices With Young Gifted Learners, Andrea Lauren Heming

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research study investigates teacher practices with young gifted learners and provides recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the Primary Talent Pool through examination of the program as it is implemented in four Kentucky school districts. Gifted coordinators were interviewed and primary (kindergarten-third grade) teachers were surveyed. Though each school has different methods for meeting the needs of high potential learners, there are commonalities across all seven schools represented. The present findings indicate teachers feel confident in their ability to recognize high potential in academic areas. Teachers are comfortable using differentiation, and often differentiate to support gifted learners.

How Does Classroom Context Affect Head Start Teachers' Use Of Cognitively Challenging Talk?, Jordan Alexis Gregory

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

No abstract provided.

Currey, Cathy (Fa 1210), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1210. Student folk studies project titled “The History of African-American Education in Christian County, [Kentucky].” Narrative history which includes historical and architectural information, photographs, and other documentation regarding African American schools in Christian County, Kentucky.

Parent Implemented Adapted Dialogic Reading With Preschoolers With Autism, Mckenzie Ward

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study examined the role of a novel, adapted dialogic reading curriculum and its impact on preschoolers with autism and their interactions with their parents during shared book reading. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the curriculum on the effects of child social reciprocity and parents’ feelings of competence and confidence when trained on implementation strategies. Pre- and post-test measures were conducted for four parent-child dyads to measure the impact of adapted dialogic reading on child social reciprocity and parents’ feelings of competence and confidence. Although the sample size was small, clear trends were …

The Effect Of Classroom Context On Head Start Teacher Feedback, Jasmine Renee Ernst

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS, LaParo, Pianta, & Stuhlman, 2004) assesses quality of teacher social and instructional interactions with children, and classroom management and productivity. Prior research indicated low quality of feedback scores in programs serving low-income children (Early et al., 2005). The purpose of this study was to compare the quantity and quality of managing interaction utterances (i.e. a type of feedback) provided by Head Start teachers (N = 8) in two classroom contexts. Video-recorded book-reading and 20-minute center-time sessions in the fall and spring of a school year were used to assess managing interaction utterances in structured …

Cheek, Michael (Fa 1099), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1099. Student paper titled “Jump Rope Rhymes” in which Michael Cheek briefly describes the origins and classification systems of the genre. Cheek gathered together data from several rhyme dictionaries and students from T.C. Cherry Elementary School.

Confabulation In Individuals With Disorders Of The Corpus Callosum: Educational Implications, Cheryl Lynn Wright

Dissertations

Individuals with disorders of the corpus callosum (DCC) may have subtle cognitive differences. Historically, confabulation has been associated with DCC. Therapies to mitigate confabulation is a newly emerging field. This study explores the possible educational implications that those with DCC may experience with confabulation.

The community of people with DCC and the community of people who interact with individuals with DCC were surveyed to ascertain the prevalence of confabulation within the population of those with DCC. A subset of questions probed whether age and/or gender impact the rates of reported confabulation. The research paradigm included a section that covered the …

Early Childhood Educators' Perspectives Of Play In Preschool Classrooms, Michelle Lois Edwards

Dissertations

This study examines early childhood educators’ perceptions of play as a developmentally appropriate practice in preschool classrooms. Through selective sampling, 10 preschool teachers were chosen. These teachers were identified because of their experience, education, and the lead they take on various projects, as well as the author’s personal knowledge of their work ethic and dedication to the education profession. The teachers were interviewed using an extempore, semi-structured configuration about their beliefs relating to play, how they implement play in their classrooms, and their viewpoint on hurdles to play. They identified the supports required to implement play as a developmentally appropriate …

Ua12/2/1 Hillside, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Archives Records

Special magazine edition of the College Heights Herald:

• Grundy, Julie. All in a Day’s Work – Thomas Meredith
• Gagliardi, Melissa. Kidding Around on College Street – Kinder Kollege

Characteristics Of Parents Involved In A Parent Child Center-Head Start Program, Rebecca Selove

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An exploratory study was conducted to provide information for the coordinators of the Parent Child Center and Head Start (PCC-HS) Program in Leitchfield, Kentucky. Staff concern for parent involvement led to a search for parent characteristics which correlate with amount of participation in program activities. Sixty-five families, which included 65 mothers, 47 fathers, and 121 children, constituted the study sample. Data were obtained from records maintained by the PCC-HS staff. Variables included number of hours volunteered, age and level of education of each parent, estimated family income, family size, mother's enrollment in PCC when pregnant, number of children in the …

Ua77/1 Western Alumnus, Vol. 48, No. 6, Wku Alumni Association

WKU Archives Records

Alumni magazine published by WKU. This issue has the following articles:

• Highland, Jim. Vice President James Davis
• Conway, Sheila. Dean Robert Nelson
• Career Planning and Placement
• Armstrong, Don. Around Town and the World – Herman Lowe
• Johnston, Anne. Traveling Museum – Kentucky Musuem
• Given, Ed. Coach and Gentleman – Jim Richards
• Mounce, Bill. Tying Flies
• Bennett, Jo. Center for Child Learning & Study
• On the Road with Charles Kuralt
• Conway, Sheila. Jim Wayne Miller
• Miller, Jim. Light Leaving
• Miller, Jim. Restoring an Old Farmhouse
• Miller, Jim. Between Two Times
• Miller, Jim. Stranger
• Miller, Jim. Copperhead Cane
• Raby, Ron. Photographer
• Bennett, …

The Effects Of A Short Term Preacademic Total Approach Program On The Language Development Of Disadvantaged Children, Doug Richter

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research tests a short term total academic language development program on the development of language delayed children. It was hypothesized that an increase in vocabulary and response length after a six week treatment program would be reflected on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Mean Length of Response Test. The treatment program utilized both the group and tutorial approach emphasizing the basic skills associated with listening, language, reading, writing and arithmetic. The subjects were nine-preschool Head Start children participating in a summer program at Western Kentucky University. A comparison of the performance on pre and post test revealed …

A Study Of The Nursery Schools Conducted At Western Kentucky Teachers College In 1934 And 1935, Ethel Barnard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As a result of the recent rapid increase in number of nursery schools in the United States a great deal of interest in nursery education has been evinced. The purpose of this study is to present a descriptive sketch of the nursery schools conducted at Western Kentucky Teachers College in such a manner that some results of the work may be shown.

An Analysis Of The Vocabularies Of Primers, Katie Motley

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of the present study is threefold:

1. To analyze the vocabulary of each of fourteen primers to determine the extent to which their vocabularies are identical.
2. To find what percentage of words each primer has in common with the Kentucky adopted text Ben and Alice.
3. To suggest primers which best supplement Ben and Alice for slow learners and for fast learners.

Catalogue And Course Of Study Of The Caneyville Public Schools, Kentucky Library Research Collections

Research Collections

No abstract provided.

Ua45/1/1 State Normal Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 3, Wku Registrar

WKU Archives Records

Course catalog & newsletter:

• Summer School
• The New Normal Site
• Recitation Hall
• Cabell Hall
• The New Vanmeter Auditorium & Administration Building
• The Tired Teacher
• Courses Offered
• The Normal Training School
• English
• History
• Physical Sciences
• Physiology II
• Mathematics
• Drawing
• The Library
• The School of Domestic Science & Domestic Arts
• Nature Study & Elementary Agriculture
• Do You Need a Teacher?
• Physical Education
• Excursion from the Western Normal Summer School to the Kentucky Educational Association
• For High School Teachers
• Geography
• Special Announcement Summer School Western Normal
• Headquarters of Western Kentucky State Normal School at the Kentucky Educational Association
• Kindergarten Department
• Stewart, Cora. The …

Ua45/1/1 State Normal Bulletin, Vol. Iii, No. 2, Wku Registrar

WKU Archives Records

Course catalog & newsletter:

• New Site for the State Normal
• What Prominent Men Think About the New Site for the Western Kentucky State Normal
• No Contagious Disease in Bowling Green
• The Summer School
• Texts Used in Normal
• McLean, Mattie. School News
• Educational Reform in Kentucky
• The Spring & Summer Terms