Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Are They Ready? Impacting Kindergarten Readiness Through The Science Of Reading, Traci T. Boyles

All Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate how Science of Reading (SOR) professional development for preschool teachers, implemented through collaborative teaching and assessment cycles, influences the kindergarten readiness of preschool students.

Students from impoverished families start kindergarten at a considerable disadvantage regarding literacy. Literacy-focused curricula and professional development for teachers strongly affect reading outcomes. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) provides a systemic framework for data-based problem solving and decision-making. The MTSS framework aligns literacy interventions with tiered supports to ensure all students receive the assistance they need to achieve reading proficiency.

The South Carolina Child Early Reading Development …

Connecting The Dots: Teacher Self-Efficacy, Student-Teacher Relationships, And Behavior Management In Early Childhood, Courtney Lewis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This study was designed to explore the relationships between teacher self-efficacy, student-teacher relationships, and use of behavior management strategies in early childhood education. Previous research suggests that effective early childhood education improves a child’s academic and social outcomes. This study sought to explore factors contributing to teacher effectiveness in preschool teachers. The hypotheses were that (1) teacher self-efficacy will directly affect student teacher relationships, (2) that studentteacher relationships will directly affect teacher’s frequency, confidence, and success of their behavior management strategies, and (3) that student-teacher relationships will act as a mediating variable between teacher self-efficacy and the frequency, confidence, and …

Using Parent Empowerment Groups To Increase Academic Success In Kindergarten Multilingual Learners, Sarah C. Deloach

All Dissertations

This study examined how parent empowerment groups influence the academic success of kindergarten multilingual learners. With increasing immigration across the United States, schools need to work with families to ensure students develop the skills required for academic achievement at each level. The identified problem is that the current multilingual learner program at Boyd Matthews Elementary does not adequately meet parents’ needs in building a strong home-school connection, placing the full responsibility of learning on the school and leaving students without critical academic support at home. Parent empowerment groups were held with multilingual kindergarten parents to share practical strategies for supporting …

Foundations Of Quality: A Toolkit For Professional Growth In Infant/Toddler Classrooms, Amber A. Hulin

Masters Projects

This project aims to tackle the issue of inconsistencies in the educational experiences provided by many early childhood programs. This project focuses primarily on the infant/toddler age group. Chapter 1 identifies a key contributing factor in these inconsistencies: a shortage of high-quality teachers due to lack of infant/toddler focused content in teacher preparation programs and further professional development. Chapter 2 reviews the literature including what a high-quality educator is and how a high-quality educator impacts a child’s development. It also identifies the various teacher preparation programs and highlights the lack of infant/toddler content in professional development. Chapter 3 presents a …

An Examination Of Inclusive Education Programs For Children With Disabilities, Haley Misiewicz

Masters Projects

This project addresses the ongoing need for high-quality professional development that equips early childhood educators with effective strategies for inclusive education. Research consistently demonstrates that inclusive settings benefit both students with disabilities and their typically developing peers, yet many educators report a lack of confidence, training, and support when implementing inclusive practices. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and informed by federal legislation such as IDEA and ADA, this project presents a professional development toolkit designed to support preschool through second-grade teachers in creating accessible, responsive classroom environments.

The toolkit consists of a 90-minute training session, …

Reflection And Reimagination As Resistance: Towards Humanizing Critical Writing Pedagogy, Grace Y. Kang, Sonia M. Kline

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Given the pressures, demands, and standardization teachers face in our sociopolitically charged times, teachers need opportunities to reflect and reimagine their instruction. Drawing on critical and related scholarship, we conceptualize critical humanizing writing pedagogy. We share our instructional moves as teacher educators for enacting humanizing writing pedagogy in a graduate course and supporting teachers to enact humanizing writing pedagogy in their K-12 classrooms. Specifically, we show how a graduate student and practicing teacher found ways to shift toward critical orientations as she navigated her school’s curriculum and state standards. We argue that sociocultural and critical lenses provide powerful tools for …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives On Conceptual Movement In Academic Instruction: A Mixed- Methods Study With Implications For Early Math, Kehinde H. Orimaye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This convergent mixed-methods study investigated Missouri preschool teachers’ familiarity, implementation, and perceptions of conceptual movement (CM), the purposeful integration of bodily actions to support young children’s understanding of abstract academic concepts, particularly in early mathematics instruction. Grounded in embodied cognition and informed by enactivism and the theory of event coding (TEC), the study explored: (a) preschool teachers’ awareness and frequency of CM use; (b) how teacher characteristics such as experience, age group taught, and math anxiety relate to CM implementation; and (c) teachers’ perceptions of CM’s instructional value, implementation challenges, and professional development needs.

Quantitative data were collected through a …

Integrated Stem Education For In-Service K-5 Elementary Teachers: Definitions, Self-Efficacy, And Teaching Practices, Amani Alhassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing interest has been evident in implementing integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching in public schools. However, teachers need to be professionally prepared and increase self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM in their classrooms. Little is known about how teachers' self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM is related to teachers' practices around STEM integration, particularly in K-5 classrooms.

This convergent mixed-methods study involved surveys with open- and close-ended questions to determine the integrated STEM perceptions, definitions, classroom teaching practices, and self-efficacy level in teaching integrated STEM for 79 northeast Tennessee K-5 teachers. The study also investigated the relationship between teachers' …

Vive La Revolution, Hamish Kemp-Harington

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

This article was written in response to the ‘Power of Us!’ conference which was held in May 2025 at the University of Plymouth. The conference focused on how we can make our schools and education systems more inclusive for the purpose of giving all students the opportunity to flourish and thrive in education. My account speaks of the preparation for the event and my own experiences in school as both a student and as an educator.

One Story, Jo Hawkes

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

This paper, originating from the ‘Power of Us!’ conference held in June 2025, reflects on the session titled One Story, which considered how stories can help us to learn about others. The paper offers an insight into the session, sharing reflections from the discussions and calling for a renewed attention to how we teach with literature and how we help children find a love of reading.

Challenging Behavior In The Early Childhood Classroom, Ashley L. Hoag

Masters Projects

In early childhood classrooms, it is becoming increasingly common for students to exhibit challenging behaviors. These behaviors present as either internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety, or as externalizing behaviors, such as defiance and aggression. These behaviors are impacting student learning and contributing to an increase in teacher stress and burnout. Early childhood educators feel underprepared to address these behaviors effectively. The project is grounded in Behaviorist Theory and Constructivist Theory. These theories inform Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which is an evidence-based approach to managing challenging behaviors by focusing on reinforcement, the structure of the environment, and building important …

Teaching Philosophy, Growing Child’S Empathy : Derrida’S Trace Theory For Critical Thinking And Character Education, Fatimah Fraya, Fristian Hadinata

International Review of Humanities Studies

Child bullying cases increased significantly following the pandemic and took its toll on the need for emergency tackling and preventive action. This research focused on philosophy as a an approach to character building, using the synthesis method of literature views which also inspired from previous teachings known as Philosophy for Children (P4C), combined with hands-on experiment simulation. The aim is to discover a practical learning concept to enable philosophy to be introduced in children's classrooms at a certain age. Researchers found the intersection between philosophy and child character building beneficial in refining their empathy cognitively and creating better generations in …

Teachers' Perspectives On Teacher Retention In Early Childhood Programs, Christopher Lavon Curry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a Midwestern state, teacher shortages have intensified the retention challenges of prekindergarten and kindergarten (PreK–K) teachers in early childhood (EC) programs. The problem addressed in this study was the retention of PreK–K teachers in EC programs and schools at the local level. Grounded in dual-factor and coping-competence- context theories, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives of the factors affecting the retention of PreK–K teachers in EC programs at the local level. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 PreK–K teachers in a Midwestern state, who had a minimum of 3 years of …

Modifying Tier 1 Strategies To Promote Positive Behaviors Of Autistic Preschoolers, Courteney Johnson, Maiko Yomogida, Michela Arlia, Angie Sjoquist, Maylin Herrera

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Our study assessed the outcomes of implementing a researcher-developed, teacher-led preventive program in special education preschool classrooms. We evaluated outcomes that were specific to student behaviors, classroom climate, and teacher self-efficacy. As iterative components of the Pyramid Model, an early-childhood-focused iteration of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports framework, the intervention focused on teaching, modeling, and reinforcing behavior expectations using research-based strategies deemed effective at supporting the autistic population. Participants in our study included seven special education preschool classrooms, each composed of approximately five students, one teacher, and two teacher assistants. While the student population included those with various disabilities, …

What Happened To The Creative In The Creative Curriculum?, Lacey Peters, Mark K. Nagasawa, Maria Mavrides Calderon, Abigail Kerlin, Helen Frazier, Beth Ferholt, Erica Clarke Yardy, Margie Brickley, Alisa Algava

Straus Institute for Thriving Children & Families

This empirically-grounded commentary questions the basis for New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS) adoption of the Teaching Strategies products—the Creative Curriculum (CC) and Teaching Strategies GOLD—as the mandated curriculum and assessment systems for early childhood education (ECE) programs administered by the New York City Public Schools. In an analysis shaped by our hybrid positionalities as early childhood educators, parents, policy makers, and researchers, we argue that this decision is a local case of neoliberalism’s simultaneous narrowing of educational quality and a transfer of public funding into private hands under the guise of the free market. Our commentary, …

Perspectives Of Childcare Center Directors Regarding Barriers To Naeyc Accreditation, Jessica Baffoe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

NAEYC accreditation is a hallmark of quality in early learning and lack of accreditation suggested a gap in practice. The problem that was the focus of this research is that only 12% of early childhood center-based programs in the United States are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the study was to explore perspectives of childcare center directors regarding NAEYC accreditation. Knowles’s adult learning provided the conceptual framework for this study and guided 3 research questions about directors’ perspectives of barriers, benefits, and the necessary support they associated with NAEYC accreditation. …

A Comparative Case Study Of Mentoring Practices By National Board Certified And Non-Certified Teacher Mentors, Bethany Mcclure

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As preservice teacher candidates engage in field experiences that shape their development of teacher identity, it is important to examine their perceptions of the mentoring process. This study explored how preservice teacher candidates construct their own knowledge about mentoring as a process, as well as explored the perceptions of mentor teachers, both National Board Certified, and non-National Board Certified, as they facilitated the learning and growth of their mentees. Many prior studies on the mentoring process exist, however, a gap in the literature that was identified and explored through this study included the impact that National Board Certified Teachers have …

Screen Foundations: How Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Can Implement ‘Family Media Use Plans’ In Primary Care To Reduce Pediatric Behavior Concerns, Katie Anderson

Dissertations

Abstract for:

Screen Foundations: How Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Can Implement ‘Family Media Use Plans’ in Primary Care to Reduce Pediatric Behavior Concerns

Problem: Parents of children 2-5 years-old increasingly reach out to PCPs for escalating behavior concerns, including when the child doesn’t listen well, is inattentive, having tantrums, meltdowns, hitting, yelling, etc. Referrals to psychiatry and/or play therapy result in long waits, or referrals not accepted. Coincidingly, toddler and preschool aged children continue to exceed daily screen time recommendations. This results in a gap of care for families with young children and externalizing behavior.

Methods: This quality improvement project addressed …

The K-12 Education Workforce In Nevada, 2024, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet presents data on the share of workers in the K-12 education workforce in Nevada. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System provides data on the amount of employment in all job sectors at the state and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) levels. This fact sheet focuses on employment and wage data for the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA, and the Reno, NV MSA as of May 2024.

Short-Run Fiscal Effects Of Expanding Michigan's Preschool Program To Be Universal, Timothy J. Bartik

Upjohn Institute Policy Papers

This policy paper provides some updated estimates of the short-run fiscal effects of expanding Michigan’s state-funded preschool program, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), to encompass universal access for Michigan’s four-year-olds. This is an update to Policy Paper No. 2025-034, which analyzed the economic and fiscal effects of Michigan’s current GSRP program as compared to the state having no program. The update takes advantage of a high-quality recent study of the economic effects of universal preschool programs in nine states, authored by Jackson, Turner, and Bastian (2025). Using the estimated economic effects of universal preschool from this recent study, …

Kingsborough Community College Education Program Cite Playbook, Laura Scheiber, Joanna Maulbeck, Denise Farrelly

Publications and Research

As equity is a core value of our program, we believe that it is important to not just offer exposure to computing and digital literacy activities to preservice teachers, but that our teacher education program intentionally incorporates design principles that support student agency, foster co-learning, highlight creativity and joy, understand how computing can be used for social action, and critically assess tech tools and cultures(CUNY Computing-Integrated Teacher Education, 2025). In sum, we want to make sure technology is integrated with thoughtful scaffolding that fosters more critical thinking and digital citizenship. As List et. al (2020) point out, “If pre-service teachers …

Improving Sel Programs In Early Childhood Settings, Josie Guerin

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Preschool students are having their first experience with a classroom and are at a key point of entering their education. They are learning not only academics and the beginnings of reading, writing, STEM and art, but are learning how to function in a classroom and in society. They are taking on a lot of skills in a short period of time, one of the most important being SEL (social and emotional learning). This study is addressing the challenges of teaching our youngest learners SEL skills in an effective way, to make sure all students are receiving adequate SEL. Through a …

Adverse Childhood Exeriences In Early Childhood, Sierra Myer

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research project examines how early childhood educators at Okoboji Elementary understand and implement trauma-informed care (TIC). With many students impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), educators are increasingly being asked to meet both academic and emotional needs in the classroom. This study used anonymous surveys and Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment data to explore teacher familiarity with ACEs, confidence in managing trauma-related behaviors, and the supports they feel are still needed. Findings show that while many educators are using trauma-sensitive strategies—such as calm-down corners, emotional check-ins, and visual routines—confidence levels and training backgrounds vary. Some staff have received formal …

Emotionally Responsive Caregiving, Juliet Christine Ratajczak

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research explores how emotionally responsive caregiving supports co-regulation and the development of self-regulation in toddlers aged 18 to 36 months. Conducted in a federally funded Early Head Start classroom, the study employed qualitative methods including observational field notes, reflecting journaling, and collaborative discussions between educators. Three central themes emerged: 1) Emotional consistency and attunement, 2) secure attachment as a foundation for self-regulation, and 3) collaborative caregiver growth. Findings indicate that predictable, sensitive, and warm caregiver responses during emotionally charged moments such as transitions, separations, and peer conflict foster emotional safety, trust, and resilience in toddlers. Secure attachment relationships …

Building Responsive & Sustainable Early Educator Apprenticeship Programs, Annie Schaeffing, Brooke Tucker, Liz Hartline, Lily Rosenthal, Davia Brown-Franklyn

All Faculty and Staff Papers and Presentations

This publication shares key findings and design recommendations from the Bank Street Education Center’s evaluation of Vermont’s early childhood education apprenticeship program. Drawing on excerpts from interviews and focus groups, the report explores how apprenticeship models can support early educators in earning credentials and degrees, and how program design can be adapted to better meet the needs of the early education workforce.

The Use Of Visuals In Preschool Settings To Improve Student Engagement And Student Participation At Group Timet, Lexie Flug

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engagement are participation in early childhood are essential for social growth and child development. Distractions at group time are a barrier to student engagement and participation. These distractions lead to less instructional time. Research shows higher levels of engagement and participation increase academic success. This inquiry-based research study aims to determine if the visual support of "Give Me 5" increases student engagement and participation at group time. The study utilized a qualitative approach, using classroom observations and teacher questionnaires for a preschool classroom. The findings revealed that implementing visual support at group time increased student participation with a slight increase …

Nsu Library Link - Summer 2025 - Volume 2.1, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Methods For Meaningful Connection: Supporting Teacher-Child Relationships In Early Care And Education, Sheila Smith, Maribel Granja, Cristina Medellin, Mark Nagasawa

Straus Institute for Thriving Children & Families

This report discusses a combined professional development/exploratory research project focused on how to support relationships between early childhood educators and children. The project piloted the Teacher Reflection Tool (TRT), a very brief reflection tool, paired with a community of practice approach with 19 early childhood educators across 10 classrooms. Among the lessons learned were that the participants:

• Viewed positive relationships with children as family-like and individualized
• Observed that their relationships with parents influenced relationships with children
• Found that the TRT helped them to notice and reflect on their interactions with children in new ways

Among the recommendations that emerged were: …

Nh Ece 2025 Data Snapshot Infographic, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson, Tyrus Parker

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The NH ECE 2025 Data Snapshot infographic provides easy access to data describing and explaining the early care and education landscape in New Hampshire. Learn about Granite Staters' need for child care, the high prices that families face, the low wages earned by child care workers, and the high operating costs of care. The infographic also offers a policy snapshot featuring the reach of the NH Child Care Scholarship Program.

The Science Of Reading, Writing, And Dual And English Language Learners, Vickie Johnston, Nika Verna

Journal of English Learner Education

This paper presents an evidence-based approach to meeting the needs of dual language and English Language Learners (ELL) that includes leveraging the skills and knowledge of the home language, oral language instruction, and the utilization of both effective writing instruction and multicultural children’s literature. This evidence-based approach includes insights gleaned from the science of reading (SOR) and research on writing development with ELLs and instruction needed to help their written communication skills. Practical classroom applications for using multicultural children’s literature include integrating the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to ensure the literature chosen is necessary for some and beneficial …