Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Native Americans: Invisible Mirrors & Cracked Windows, Ashley Sadler

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of this project was to analyze the traditional narrative in relation to how Native Americans are depecited in public schools across America. The traditional narrative, which can consist of textbooks, literature, videos, etc. often present inaccurate, harmful, and ignorant stereotypes about Native Americans to students. Often the instructional methods related to the subject of Native Americans provide students with little to no opportunities to explore both their history and cultures in multiple manners. Often presented as a monolithic group, the traditional narrative has done little to present Native Americans in a dynamic, positive, and realistic manner. Focusing on …

The Impact Of Reinforcer Preference And Variation On Response Rates In Preschool-Aged Children, Jason M. Aldridge

Symposium of Student Scholars

The Impact of Reinforcer Preference and Variation on

Response Rates in Preschool-Aged Children

J. Malachi Aldridge1, Allison L. Martin1, Alicia K. Mitchell2

1. Kennesaw State University

2. Appleseeds Behavioral Center

In the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, tangible items (i.e. toys) are often used to help learners meet goals in academic, social, and adaptive living skills. While use of high preference reinforcers has been linked to improved performance, repeated use of a single item can cause satiation and reduce effectiveness. Using a variety of reinforcers can allow therapists to minimize these satiation effects (Bowman et al., 1997; Koehler & Iwata, …

Teach Pilot Study: Implementation Of An E-Learning Course In Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour For Pre- And In-Service Early Childhood Educators (Eces), Faith E.A Heidary, Brianne A. Bruijns, Patricia Tucker

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Early childhood educators (ECEs) are highly influential in promoting healthy movement behaviours (e.g. physical activity [PA] and sedentary behaviour [SB]) in early childhood. It is essential that ECEs gain knowledge and confidence in their ability to incorporate appropriate amounts of high-quality movement experiences for children in their care. However, ECEs do not currently receive related education in their current pre-service programs or professional development in practice.

The Training EArly CHildhood educators in physical activity (TEACH) study intends to improve ECEs’ knowledge, confidence, and intentions regarding promoting healthy movement behaviours by providing comprehensive training in PA, SB, outdoor and risky play …

Where Are We With Education About Mental Health And Illness: A Survey Research, Symphony Williams

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of my research is to investigate public awareness of mental health and illness. This study is paramount because of the mental health crisis our world faces today. I conducted a survey research in which I used Google Forms and asked a series of questions about the participants’ education, experiences, and opinions on mental health and illness. The total participants were 67. The analysis of survey responses resulted in several findings. First, 34.3% of the 67 participants had a diagnosed mental illness, and 72% of those participants suffer from some form of depression while 77.8% suffer from anxiety. These …

Still A Forgotten War? Investigation Of College Students' Understanding Of The Korean War., Symphony Williams

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of my research is to investigate how much and what knowledge college students have on the Korean War. This study is important because the Korean War is often referred to as a “forgotten war” but is a significant event in American history, as well as an ongoing issue in today’s world. Investigation into what college students know and believe about the Korean War, as well as, where and when they learned this information, is critical in evaluating and reforming how the Korean War is taught in US schools. I designed a survey using Google Forms, and gathered results …

Nigerian Educational System And What Influences It Has On Young Children, Alexandria Alexander

Symposium of Student Scholars

The motives for this study on Nigeria is to compare it to that of the U.S. and to explore their educational system and the impact it has on ECE Programs. While contrasting these two educational systems we will focus on the countries literacy rate, how learners are supported in their education, and is there any access to early childhood care and educational services. My information is mainly based off of literature review. However, it can be considered as a qualitative study because I also conducted an interview with A Nigerian native. In conclusion my research methods adopted are both a …

Assessing The Needs For Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Upon Return To School After Covid-19, Emily Kurland

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

School-based mental health consultation recognizes and understands the importance of children’s emotional and behavioral needs in conjunction with educator/caregiver competencies. In early childhood classrooms, mental health consultation utilizes a problem-solving approach, creating collaborative relationships with educators to build their skills and expertise (Duran et al., 2009). Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) works to maximize the social-emotional skills of all children while minimizing the vulnerabilities of children experiencing behavioral difficulties (Low & Shepard, 2010). As emotional and behavioral challenges are increasing in early childhood settings, it is evident that mental health consultation is becoming increasingly necessary and beneficial (Green, Everheart, …

Relationships Between Expressive And Receptive Language Ability And Play Initiation In 2-Year-Olds, Jessica Glasshoff

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

For most young children, social initiations develop during natural play contexts, along with language. However, not all children learn language typically from an early age. At 2 years of age, these children are generally referred to as “late talkers” or as having “late language emergence” (LLE). LLE usually involves between 10-15 percent of 2-year-olds. Delayed language development is associated with delays in play sophistication; however, little is known about the association between LLE and child initiations during play. The purpose of the study was to further determine the relationship between receptive and expressive language proficiency and play initiation for toddlers. …

The Influence Of An Early Childhood Endorsement Program On Early Childhood Leadership Competencies, Kanyon Chism

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The call to improve high-quality educational opportunities for children ages birth – eight has received increased attention and federal and local funding opportunities have expanded to provide additional early childhood classrooms and to implement family engagement practices. Unfortunately, systems of support for principals aimed at increasing knowledge and skills necessary to lead an aligned Preschool – third-grade system within an elementary school remain relatively sparse. The purpose of this study is to examine the alignment between an early childhood endorsement program and early childhood leadership competencies.

This study will examine the perceptions of school leaders participating in an early childhood …

Influences On The Implementation Of Guided Play Practices In Kindergarten: A Grounded Theory Study, Amy Schmidtke

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The professional capacity of a kindergarten teacher is central to the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices that support children’s learning and development. Evidence indicates that a teacher’s professional capacity is influenced through experiences with leadership, professional learning, and collaboration. Although research clearly supports the positive impact of play experiences for young children, the current educational climate does not provide teachers with the confidence or the structural supports needed to actualize play in kindergarten classrooms. The findings demonstrate what influences kindergarten teachers to implement guided play practices in their classrooms. The implications provide insight as to which elements of leadership, professional …

Connecting Families And Continued Learning Through Covid-19, Michael C. O'Neal, Tameka Tribble, Michelle Rice

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

For 20+ years in Savannah, Georgia, Parent University has successfully enhanced the ability of families to create an environment in which learning thrives for both children and parents. When the pandemic closed schools and disrupted normal programming, Parent University immediately pivoted to online programming to continue connecting families with relevant education, resources and support throughout this time of need. The pandemic also exposed a huge gap in technology and education. Therefore, Parent University is working to close that gap with our new Tech College at Parent University.

Implementing Peace Education Strategies In The Post-Nursery And Post Primary Schools: An Example From Nigeria, Zipporah Onyinyechi Omenma, Nkechinyere Charity Edeh, Eric Kenechukwu Nwagu Professor, Bernedeth Nkiru Ezegbe Professor, Chukwuma Patrick Nwabudike, Emmanuel Eze

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

No abstract provided.

Parent Knowledge Regarding The Relationship Between Literacy And Language Development, Emily Pankiewicz

Scholars Day Conference

This is a presentation of my Honors Thesis paper.

250— Play History: Common Trends In Preservice Teachers’ Play Histories, Karianne Santullo

GREAT Day Posters

This qualitative study investigates teacher candidates’ play histories/autobiographies. The study investigates the questions, (1) What kinds of play and creative experiences do the teacher candidates share in their autobiographies? (2) How will these play and creative experiences influence their integration of play as future Early Childhood Educators? (3) What implications do these findings have for the integration of play and play experiences for Early Childhood Teacher Education? Data sources include the teacher candidates’ “play history autobiographies.” The data is being analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis through coding for common themes. This poster session will share the initial analysis of the …

Empowering Teacher Teams To Expand Student Ownership, Paul Martuccio, Paul J. Bloomberg Dr.

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

The notion of empowerment is at the core of The Public School 13 learning culture. Empowerment is about creating conditions for strengthening efficacy school wide – for students, for teachers, for teams – for the COLLECTIVE! Learn how The Public School 13 cultivates teacher leadership through collaborative inquiry with a laser-like focus on expanding student ownership and agency.

Read, Write, Rhyme: Increasing Reading Performance With Hip-Hop Texts, Crystal Monique Lavoulle

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation describes the Harlem Renaissance to Hip Hop Movement, a literacy program that uses best practices in literacy instruction to improve reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing. Moving beyond educational hip-hop songs and videos, this presentation offers insight into effective ways to increase Georgia Milestone Assessment scores in both English language arts and social studies using a variety of hip-hop texts.

Rising Up: Kids Who Own Their Learning And Behaviors, And The Supports Which Made It Happen, Brian Keefer

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

A success story connecting Head and Home will be explored focusing on Hampton Elementary School’s strategic integration of STEAM Focused Project Based Learning, Authentic Learning, Student Goal Setting and Reflection, Social and Emotional Learning, and Increased Parental Engagement. Participants will leave with applicable ideas and strategies to grow student and parental engagement promoting increased academic outcomes in their own setting.

Cultivating Leaders To Reform School Culture, Carmalita Dillard, Amber Hurley, Dolores Gordon, Tene Evertt

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

A school environment which chronically deals with disruptive students, high absenteeism and low student morale, may find traditional disciplinary consequences ineffective for changing the culture of the school. By using student leadership and empowerment opportunities, coupled with positive parental and behavioral contacts, the presenters will provide practical applications to transform and sustain a positive learning environment.

Negotiation Strategies To Support Misbehaving Kindergarten Children: The ‘Deal’ Strategy, Mariana Boules

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

This presentation reports on a strategy implemented at a kindergarten to negotiate behavioural changes with children while developing an attitude of personal accountability for progressing the kindergarten program. The method used involved the child being asked their favourite fruit, the name of which is then used as a code for a deal on a behavioural change.

What Can Early Childhood Education And Care Settings Teach Us About Skills For The 21st Century?, Dan Cloney, Kellie Picker

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are naturally oriented towards promoting 21st century skills. This can be seen in Australia, where learning is defined as the development of identity, social and emotional skills, problem-solving, and communication skills. A 21st century orientation is also seen in the playbased pedagogies implemented in ECEC settings. A gap, however, exists in the ability of the ECEC sector to communicate its successes. This gap relates to the lack of measurement tools to quantify the quality of the adult–child interactions in ECEC settings, and children’s growth in these 21 century skills and abilities. This paper …

Beware The Cat In The Hat: How Children's Literature Is The Modern Form Of Segregation, Lucy Kebler

Celebration of Learning

Every person grows up exposed to children’s literature. Unfortunately, much of the children’s literature that is published is racially discriminatory, historically inaccurate, blatantly offensive, or pure propaganda. The research for this presentation began in Augustana College’s library and has transitioned to a much broader space: The Saint Louis Country Library. Through this research, it has become obvious that diverse literature is hard to find and is often marketed as only readable for those in the minority race depicted. Many libraries mark literature that contains African Americans, as to help “guide” readers in their selections. Books labeled in this way make …

Bringing Stem Resources To Underprivileged Students, Ethan Haque '21, Juan Chiu '21, Natalie Oliven '21, Delicia Chen '21

Student Leadership Exchange (SLX)

The Goal of our project is to address the lack of STEM education in lower-income communities caused by a lack of fun and easy to use resources. These centers will contain resources such as fun stem projects and workbooks that allow students to enjoy learning essential STEM-related topics. We intend to do this by implementing Little Stem Centers in school libraries and community centers. That benefit most of our potential partners as our solution provides a low-cost solution to stem materials that can be replenished and repaired easily using commonly found recyclables. The product will be sold to local school …

A Comparison Of Early Childhood Education In Powell/Dublin, Ohio: Pedagogical And Literacy Practices, Kelly Coffyn

Student Symposium

The research project examined exemplary preschool literacy practices in the United States. Governmental policy now prioritizes the accessibility of preschool education more so than ever before. This investment influences teaching strategies and classroom environment so more can provide high quality education. The United States preschool education system has many standards and expectations for how the classroom should look and function for literacy development. The Ohio Content Standards of Early Learning and Development gives guidelines outlining what is to be taught in a preschool classroom. The standards are research-based and provide clarity on how the strategies analyzed enhance student’s literacy skills. …

Leveraging Dl Parent's Knowledge: Parents As Partners In Waiting, Merida Acosta, Socorro Herrera

Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference

This study explored the perspective on dual language programs of parents of bilingual children. A survey was conducted to answer the following research question: What are the implications of parent perspectives of language within a preschool setting? Our focus was trying to find what the parental point of view and knowledge was on dual language programs. The survey was taken through an urban center that aims to improve their community for people of diverse ethnic backgrounds in the Midwest, with an emphasis on the Latino community. This helps us have an authentic and first-hand insight on the impact of dual …

The Importance Of Advocating For Lgbtq+ Youth In Schools And The Community., Stefanie N. Hassing

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation is aimed to provide professionals who work with children, including educators, administrators, counselors, and adult volunteers, information regarding the increased risks and needs for the LGBT+ population between the ages of 10-19 and how to advocate for them within community and school settings.

Visual Arts In An Elementary School Classroom, Kathryn O'Connor

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

It is more common nowadays to see a classroom lacking in any creative outlet for their students. Even at such a young, fundamental age funding has stood in the way of introducing the necessities the visual arts gift to students beginning at the age of four or five. With such a heavy push in the direction of academics such as math and reading the concept of imagination has been overpowered by multiplication and division and adjectives and verbs. With an increased fight by educators to promote the arts in their classrooms the benefits speak for themselves. When housing a creativity …

Summer Camp And Experiential Learning – A Qualitative Study Exploring The Perspectives Of Selected Participants, Living In Poverty, While Attending A Sleep-Away Summer Camp In Northern Minnesota, Mary Achelpohl

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Summer breaks vary in length and depth of experiences for many children and families. The summer learning gap has been widely researched as problematic to the cognitive, social, and emotional development for many children, especially children living in poverty. At the same time, best practices in summer learning initiatives have a narrow research scope. This qualitative phenomenological research study explores participants’ perceptions of their time at a sleep-away summer camp in Northern Minnesota. All participants were living in poverty during their time at summer camp. A major focus will examine summer learning opportunities and the importance of creating experiences for …

Hands Of The Future, Inc.: Connecting Youth With Nature, Amee Waltman, Rebecca Busse

Engagement & Service-Learning Summit

No abstract provided.

Library Sprouts: Cultivating Innovative Partnerships For Early Learning, Mary Jane Eisenhauer

Engagement & Service-Learning Summit

No abstract provided.

Social Interventions For Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review Of Research, Lauren E. Weiss

Shared Knowledge Conference

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a variety of barriers in social, communicative, and behavioral functioning. In particular, children with ASD have deficits in social behavior that decrease opportunities to socialize and develop peer relationships (Kroeger, Schultz, & Newsom, 2006). A child’s early development of social skills has been linked to successful school adjustment and academic achievement while preschoolers with poor social behavior experience peer rejection, low academic achievement, and behavior problems (McClelland & Morrison, 2003). I conducted a systematic review of research on interventions that provided positive social outcomes for young children with ASD. Results from this study …