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Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education
Promoting More Play In Kindergarten, Sarah Hofland
Promoting More Play In Kindergarten, Sarah Hofland
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Kindergarten has changed immensely over the years. It is currently driven by academic standards. Kindergarten teachers use much of the day to implement direct instruction and seat work to meet the higher demands in reading and math. The problem is that this type of learning is not developmentally appropriate for kindergarteners. Research shows that play is the central way in which children at the kindergarten age learn. To be developmentally appropriate, this school improvement plan aims at initiating more time spent playing during the kindergarten day.
The Impact Of Small-Group Multisensory Instructional Techniques On Kindergarteners’ Letter Sound Knowledge, Karly Walker
The Impact Of Small-Group Multisensory Instructional Techniques On Kindergarteners’ Letter Sound Knowledge, Karly Walker
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research was driven by the researcher’s interest in multisensory instructional techniques and the effect it can have on kindergarten students’ letter sound knowledge to aid in strengthening pre-reading skills. The researcher compared results of a control (traditional learning) group versus a treatment (multisensory learning) group of eight at-risk students while monitoring progress weekly using FastBridge earlyReading letter sound subtest. The research was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of multisensory instruction within small group learning. The researcher used a four-way factorial design test to analyze the control and the treatment group’s pre- and post-test scores in letter sound fluency. …
Implementing Play-Based Learning, Brooke Patton
Implementing Play-Based Learning, Brooke Patton
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This school improvement plan discusses play-based learning (PBL), a subject often debated within an early childhood setting. This plan will review current research to define what play- based learning is and the impact PBL learning has on the development of preschool and kindergarten students. Research shows that PBL learning can be highly effective for academic growth and that children learn best in this type of setting. PBL lets children make connections between their personal lives and their environment. In addition, it provides children with joyful experiences associated with their learning, adds motivation, and keeps children’s attention. Consistent, intentional planning that …
Improving Understanding Of Mathematics Concepts In Kindergarten Students Through Movement Integration, Kendall Stallings
Improving Understanding Of Mathematics Concepts In Kindergarten Students Through Movement Integration, Kendall Stallings
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project stemmed from the noticeable benefit of movement woven throughout the Wilson Fundations curriculum in developing early phonemic awareness. Knowing that kindergarteners have a natural inclination to move, this project aimed to determine whether similar benefits of movement could be garnered in mathematics instruction by boosting number sense and fact fluency. Participants completed an end-of-unit assessment and then received instruction with movement integration for the following unit before completing its endof- unit assessment. Assessment scores were converted into the school’s grading scale of M, W, or B, and a chi-square test of association was used to determine …
Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel
Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine if using differentiating literacy in kindergarten led to more successful student achievement. This included implementing multi-sensory learning, learning styles, positive relationships, and relevant, specific data. The researcher is a kindergarten teacher in her 6th year of teaching, where her own students participated in the class-wide intervention. The timeline for conducting this action research was eight weeks. This included the quantitative phonics pre-assessment through FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers), implementation of differentiated literacy activities tailored to various learning styles, collection of purposeful and relevant quantitative data, and a post-assessment on literacy …
Academic Advantages Of Increased Classroom Movement In Kindergarten, Elizabeth Hill
Academic Advantages Of Increased Classroom Movement In Kindergarten, Elizabeth Hill
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Modern kindergarten classrooms are academically rigorous learning environments with high expectations placed on young learners. Oftentimes, these students still receive an education based on traditional instructional strategies that no longer benefit and challenge young learners appropriately. This literature review examines the academic benefits of intentional classroom movement, kinesthetic learning, brain breaks and the impact they have on learning in the kindergarten setting. This literature review presents peer reviewed research studies conducted within the last ten years that investigate the most advantageous methods of movement incorporation in the classroom. The findings of this literature review conclude that, by increasing classroom movement, …
Comparison Of Play-Based Learning Versus Worksheets In English Language Arts Growth, Erin Wiskus
Comparison Of Play-Based Learning Versus Worksheets In English Language Arts Growth, Erin Wiskus
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research is to compare the data of kindergarten student’s growth in ELA (English Language Arts) through the use of play-based learning strategies against students who utilize worksheets as part of their instruction in order to determine if one instructional method is more effective than the other in demonstrating academic growth in English Language Arts. One group of students participated in play-based learning strategies while the other group utilized worksheets as an extension of learning. Both groups were given weekly pretests and posttests in the areas of: letter identification, CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words, digraphs, and …
Evidence-Based Best Practices For Kindergarten Reading, Rachel Dolehanty
Evidence-Based Best Practices For Kindergarten Reading, Rachel Dolehanty
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review aims to highlight evidence-based best practices for kindergarten reading instruction. Popular reading curriculums and instructional cueing strategies are discussed in relation to their effectiveness for kindergarten reading success. Meaning-emphasis versus code- emphasis reading curriculum philosophies are explored, and specific curriculums that fall into these categories are discussed. Metacognition strategies and their relation to successful reading instruction are underscored. Interventions are examined in the areas of kindergarten phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, and writing. Successful interventions in each of these areas of literacy instruction are highlighted through current research.
Preparing Incoming Kindergarteners And Parents For The Transition Into Kindergarten, Jessica Kempema
Preparing Incoming Kindergarteners And Parents For The Transition Into Kindergarten, Jessica Kempema
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The move into kindergarten is a critical transition for kindergarten students and their parents as the transition can impact the child’s academics journey through school. It is essential that preschool and elementary schools prepare families for the transition. This action research project studies the question: how can schools make the transition into kindergarten smoother for both incoming kindergarteners and their parents? The researcher reviewed data from the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment of 26 kindergarten students and also conducted a parent survey to determine how schools can better prepare students and parents during the move into kindergarten. The study found the transition …
Using Kinesthetic Motions And Visuals To Help Promote Sight Word Recognition Through Snap Words, Lisa Charbonneaux
Using Kinesthetic Motions And Visuals To Help Promote Sight Word Recognition Through Snap Words, Lisa Charbonneaux
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project studied the impact kinesthetic motions and visuals had on sight word recognition in kindergarten students. Over the course of seven weeks, 28 students from two kindergarten classrooms were given sight word instruction. The experimental group included kinesthetic motions and visuals through the use of Snap Word cards with their sight word instruction. The control group received sight word instruction by presenting the sight word without added kinesthetic motions or visuals. The experimental group included 15 students and the control group consisted of 13 students. Students from both the control and experimental groups were given identical pre …
Social Emotional Learning And Its Effects On Behaviors In The Kindergarten Classroom, Nicole Bruce
Social Emotional Learning And Its Effects On Behaviors In The Kindergarten Classroom, Nicole Bruce
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project is to determine the impact of explicit social emotional instruction in the kindergarten classroom. Quantitative data was collected through behavior reports to determine the effects that this instruction had on students' behavior. The kindergarten class consisted of 20 students, including eleven females and nine males. The research was done during winter of 2019-2020. Social emotional lessons were implemented over a four-week period to the kindergarten class. Data were collected to determine if negative behaviors decreased after implementing these lessons. It was concluded that implementing social emotional instruction for the four-week period did have …
Executive Function And Self Regulation In Early Childhood, Jill Casey
Executive Function And Self Regulation In Early Childhood, Jill Casey
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
There has been a shift in the kindergarten classroom from one filled with play and exploration to one filled with academic rigor. In response to this, the focus of many preschool classrooms have also shifted to focus more on academic development rather than social emotional development. Executive function skills, which include inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility have been found to predict academic success and school readiness more than IQ. Self-regulation which refers to controlling behavior in response to a stimulus is interrelated with executive function and also is a predictor of success. Caregivers and early childhood classrooms must …
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 …
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 …
Intentional Teaching In Kindergarten: Combining Academic Instruction And Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Amy Borkowski
Intentional Teaching In Kindergarten: Combining Academic Instruction And Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Amy Borkowski
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review explores the perceived dichotomy in kindergarten between child-centered, developmentally appropriate practices and teacher-directed, academic instruction. Long-held beliefs about child development have dominated the field of early childhood education for well over a century, but new research, legislative mandates, and academic standards have dramatically changed the landscape of education in the kindergarten year. Literature from scholarly journals and academic texts will be examined, revealing how kindergarten has changed over time, the impact that various factors have had on driving that change, and what educators should consider as they strive to provide intentional instruction in kindergarten.