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- Action research (7)
- Early childhood (3)
- Kindergarten (3)
- Literacy (3)
- Play-based learning (3)
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- Preschool (3)
- Behavior (2)
- Best practices (2)
- FAST (2)
- Literature review (2)
- Play (2)
- Technology (2)
- Attention grabber (1)
- Benefits (1)
- Blended learning (1)
- Circle time (1)
- Computer-assisted instruction (1)
- Early childhood education (1)
- Early math (1)
- Early numeracy (1)
- Early-childhood education (1)
- Engagement (1)
- English language learners (ELLs) (1)
- Felt piece manipulatives (1)
- Handwriting (1)
- IPads (1)
- Inclusive setting (1)
- Learning centers (1)
- Learning environment (1)
- Letter sounds (1)
Articles 1 - 21 of 21
Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education
The Use Of Learning Centers In The Kindergarten Classroom, Debra J. Hamand
The Use Of Learning Centers In The Kindergarten Classroom, Debra J. Hamand
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review discusses the necessity of learning centers in the kindergarten curriculum. The review first looks at pioneers in the field of education and how they feel children learn best. Learning centers is defined and tells why it should be in the kindergarten classroom and the benefits it offers. The review will discuss the legislation of why some people feel that play-based learning should be taken away from the school system and schools should only focus on academics. Today with high stakes testing and meeting state standards there is no time for learning centers. There are many challenges that …
Preschool Students Learning From Play Based Learning And Small Group Instruction, Molly Nicholson
Preschool Students Learning From Play Based Learning And Small Group Instruction, Molly Nicholson
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this study is to use two different types or learning and see which one is more effective for preschool students. It seeks to answer this question: Do preschool students learn more effectively from small group instruction or from play-based learning? Preschool is where learning really begins, it is important to have a solid foundation for an educational career, this foundation is built in the preschool setting. Students learn in a variety of ways, hopefully this study helps determine the most effective way for the majority of the students to learn. Play-based learning is a relatively newer concept …
The Effects Of Early Technology Use On The Development Of Young Children, Kara E. Avis
The Effects Of Early Technology Use On The Development Of Young Children, Kara E. Avis
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
With technology becoming a prevalent part of daily life, early childhood experts, teachers, and parents have concerns as to what is appropriate for young children to do and use. Research shows both benefits and potential risks associated with technology use. Benefits can include enhanced creativity and collaboration with peers and adults, literacy achievement gains, language and vocabulary development, and opportunities for independence. These benefits generally occur in purposeful situations with developmentally appropriate educational content alongside adult guidance and scaffolding. Risks include health factors, cognitive and behavioral challenges, displacement of traditional developmental activities, and fewer personal interactions. These risks are more …
The Impact Student Behavior Has On Learning, Ashton J. Kirkpatrick
The Impact Student Behavior Has On Learning, Ashton J. Kirkpatrick
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project was conducted to determine if a child’s behavior can affect their learning, especially in the area of early literacy. Information from FAST Bridge and the documentation from the “Check In/Check Out” process was used to determine if certain students using this process struggled in the area of literacy. After analyzing the data, it was determined that this certain student that was followed did struggle in the area of literacy and showed signs of emotional and social concerns alongside their behaviors. After the “Check In/Check Out process was implemented, the student showed academic growth according to the …
Impacts Of Parental Involvement On Early Literacy Skills, Sara Harlan
Impacts Of Parental Involvement On Early Literacy Skills, Sara Harlan
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research was conducted to identify a correlation in high literacy skills with parental involvement and support. Baseline data was gathered from kindergarten student's winter FAST screener scores. Parental involvement began by sending homework for my students to work on with an adult in their home. A spreadsheet was kept tracking which students returned their parent signature sheet weekly and which students did not. All students were progress monitored on letter sounds weekly. The spring FAST screener data was then used to gather ending data. Growth was compared from the winter to spring data with the amount of parental …
The Impact Of Play-Based Learning, Lauren Walther
The Impact Of Play-Based Learning, Lauren Walther
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research study investigated if students can make appropriate academic growth in a play-based preschool classroom. This action research answered the question: can students make appropriate academic growth in a play-based classroom? Appropriate academic growth defined as, the amount of growth needed for each individual child to be progressing towards being at or above benchmark in certain areas by the end of the school year. The preschool students were engaging in a play-based learning classroom with learning experiences specifically planned out by the teacher based on the theme at the time or areas of development being assessed. This research …
Utilizing Ipad Applications To Increase Preschool Students’ Knowledge Of Rhyme, Trisha Whelan
Utilizing Ipad Applications To Increase Preschool Students’ Knowledge Of Rhyme, Trisha Whelan
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this study was to determine if utilizing iPad applications (apps) in a preschool classroom can increase students’ phonemic awareness skills, specifically knowledge of rhyme. Research completed by Hornsby and Wilson tell us that rhyme is a great opportunity for students to practice phonics, which in turn enhances literacy skills. Rhyme allows them to play with the sounds within words and helps them to understand the sounds that letters make. A classroom of ten preschool students were allowed to utilize ABCmouse (2005) and Montessori-Rhyme Time learning games for kids (2013) applications on iPads during free choice times for …
Increasing Engagement During Circle Time Using Technology, Amanda Williams
Increasing Engagement During Circle Time Using Technology, Amanda Williams
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
All preschool teachers dream of a way to make all students engaged during circle time. This may seem like an impossible task but this study finds that adding technology during circle time can increase engagement. In this study the teacher and the students will be using a Smart Board as the technology. This is done by using interactive hands on activities allowing the students to be involved in their own learning rather than being lectured the information. In this study a rubric was used to assess the student’s engagement during circle time. Engagement without the use of technology scored a …
Social Stories And Student Behavior In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Smith
Social Stories And Student Behavior In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Smith
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine the impact of a whole group social story on the practice and development of self-regulatory skills of kindergarten students. The research setting was a small, rural public school in the Midwest. The participants were 16 five and six-year old students in a general education kindergarten classroom. Qualitative and quantitative data focusing on self-regulatory behaviors was collected through observation during pre and post-intervention times. Kindergarten students participated in four weeks of a whole group social story intervention that occurred between the data collection weeks. This social story focused on positive and appropriate …
The Impact Of Early Math And Numeracy Skills On Academic Achievement In Elementary School, Payton Guhl
The Impact Of Early Math And Numeracy Skills On Academic Achievement In Elementary School, Payton Guhl
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The following literature review explores the impact of learning early math and numeracy skills prior to formal schooling on later academic success. Much of the current focus in early childhood is based around literacy. However, as this literature review shows, early math skills are a more powerful predictor of academic success through elementary school. Several studies have been performed to show the significance of these skills on future math success and were consulted for this review. Within this review is what early math and numeracy skills are, how they develop in young children, the importance of these skills, how they …
Using Role Play To Teach Social Emotional Skills In The Early Childhood Classroom, Rebecca Havens
Using Role Play To Teach Social Emotional Skills In The Early Childhood Classroom, Rebecca Havens
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this research was to determine if using role play in the classroom would be an effective teaching strategy to improve the social emotional skills of kindergarten students. With the focus of kindergarten shifting towards more academics, it remains important to teach social and emotional skills with an effective, efficient approach. Participants included 19 kindergarten students in a small elementary school in the Midwest. The research included using children’s literature to prompt discussions and role playing activities around social emotional skills. The role play activities included practicing what to say to a peer when a problem arises in …
Social Emotional Development In Early Childhood, Dawn Askeland
Social Emotional Development In Early Childhood, Dawn Askeland
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review explores young children’s social emotional development and its importance. Social emotional development is crucial to a child’s success in school and in life. Social emotional development is defined and ideas are presented on how to promote it. Social emotional skills can be promoted in early childhood classrooms everyday. This can be done in a variety of lessons and activities. Social emotional development can be promoted by embedding it in all areas of the day. In recent years, other priorities have been seen in early childhood classrooms and at home. Some researchers believe this has resulted in a …
Difference Between Behavior And Engagement By Comparing Teaching Styles, Kimberly A. Rozeboom
Difference Between Behavior And Engagement By Comparing Teaching Styles, Kimberly A. Rozeboom
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine the difference in behavior and engagement by comparing two teaching styles. Participants were 10 five-year-olds in a public, inclusive, half-day transitional kindergarten setting. Data was collected through observation during 30-minute lessons for a five-week period. Specific behaviors were tallied, as well as teacher observation of student engagement and recording of standards completed during each lesson. Analysis of the data collected suggests that play-based teaching has positive impacts on decreasing behaviors and increasing student engagement.
The Effects Of The Implementation Of Peer-Mediated Strategies On Student Social-Emotional Growth In Fully Inclusive Preschools, Holland Eggert
The Effects Of The Implementation Of Peer-Mediated Strategies On Student Social-Emotional Growth In Fully Inclusive Preschools, Holland Eggert
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project was conducted to explore the effects of peer-mediation on social-emotional development and self-regulation in students aged three to five. Throughout the process, the teacher received professional coaching from a LEAP coach from the University of Denver as well as coaching from AEA staff members with background in autism and early intervention. Peer mediated strategies were introduced initially in October of 2018; during the research, the teacher focused solely on one strategy. Prior to the research, two strategies had been implemented and coached to fidelity. Quantitative data was collected from tracking and monitoring logs and researcher behavior …
Vocabulary Development In Preschool English Language Learners, Annie Van Der Zwaag
Vocabulary Development In Preschool English Language Learners, Annie Van Der Zwaag
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this actions research project was to determine what the impact of using pictures when teaching vocabulary would have on preschool English Language Learners (ELLs). Participants were four and five-year-olds in a public preschool. Quantitative data was taken using Creative Curriculum GOLD to collect observations. Two checkpoints were used for this research. The fall checkpoint was collected in October. The winter checkpoint was collected in February. Students were shown pictures of new vocabulary words from a story along with pictures in the book. The results of this study suggest that there was a small amount of growth in …
The Effects Of Imitation, Modeling, And Prompting On Play Skills Of Young Children With Disabilities, Andrea Rau
The Effects Of Imitation, Modeling, And Prompting On Play Skills Of Young Children With Disabilities, Andrea Rau
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine if direct instruction of play skills would improve the play of three-year-old children with disabilities in the inclusive setting. Participants included five children with disabilities ranging in age from 38 to 48 months old. Quantitative data was collected using event sampling to assess the number of different independent play actions performed by participants before and after intervention. Qualitative data was collected to determine commonalities in which intervention action steps resulted in successful imitation. The intervention implemented was a combined systematic approach of contingent imitation, modeling, and a system of least prompts …
Melody Attention Grabber, Brandi Hass
Melody Attention Grabber, Brandi Hass
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a melody attention grabber would create a calmer learning environment in a preschool classroom over the use of other attention grabbers. This study was conducted in a rural, lower elementary school in an inclusive preschool classroom. This classroom contained both regular education and special education students of the preschool age of four and five-year-old students. The researchers’ intention for this study was to determine if a melody attention grabber would create a calmer learning environment in a preschool classroom over the use of other attention grabbers.
The Impact Of Technology On Handwriting Instruction In Kindergarten Students, Tricia Van Regenmorter
The Impact Of Technology On Handwriting Instruction In Kindergarten Students, Tricia Van Regenmorter
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to study the outcome of computer-assisted instruction on handwriting quality. Quality handwriting includes legibility, orientation, formation, size, and placement on a base line. The participants were fourteen Kindergarten students in a preschool through eighth grade private school in a suburban setting. The fourteen participants were placed into two instructional groups through random grouping. One group of participants received computer-assisted instruction while the other group received teacher-assisted direct instruction. Participants participated in their assigned instructional approach for 10 minutes 3-4 times a week for four weeks. Data was collected quantitatively. At the conclusion …
How Blended Learning Impacts Student Engagement In An Early Childhood Classroom, Natalie Kocour
How Blended Learning Impacts Student Engagement In An Early Childhood Classroom, Natalie Kocour
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine if teaching with a blended learning approach increases student engagement in an early childhood classroom. Participants were three year-olds with individualized education plans and general education four and five year-olds in a half day preschool program. Students came from a wide variety of backgrounds and different socio-economic backgrounds. Quantitative data was collected through observation by recording which students were actively engaged, passively engaged, disengaged, or disruptive during a twenty –minute small group time for nine weeks. Qualitative data was collected through observations by the teacher and para-educator, interviews with students, …
Using Guided Play To Acquire Literacy Skills, Kimberly Farrell
Using Guided Play To Acquire Literacy Skills, Kimberly Farrell
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine if exclusively using guided-play based learning strategies with kindergarten students who have individualized education plan (IEP) literacy goals in letter sound identification assists these students in acquiring this skill. Students were provided instruction with the inclusion of technology and worksheets between the Fall and Winter FAST assessment screenings. Students were then provided guided play-based instruction to identify letter sounds between the Winter and Spring FAST assessment screenings. Data collection was obtained through bi-weekly IEP progress monitoring procedures and through the FAST assessment. Analysis of the data shows that students made overall …
The Effects Of Felt Piece Manipulative Integration On Preschoolers’ Abilities To Retell Stories, Megan Alexander
The Effects Of Felt Piece Manipulative Integration On Preschoolers’ Abilities To Retell Stories, Megan Alexander
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine the effect of felt piece manipulative integration on preschoolers’ abilities to retell stories. A preschool class was taught retelling skills and story grammar elements. The class was exposed to a fairy tale five times and then each student was assessed on retelling abilities and the number of story grammar elements recalled without the integration of manipulatives. The class was then exposed five times to another fairy tale by the same author and was assessed on the same skills while having access to felt piece manipulatives that represented the story grammar …