Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Students’ Perceptions Of Using Video As A Tool To Acquire Teaching Practices In Early Childhood Teachers’ Education Programs, Hanadi F. Alothman Dr

International Journal for Research in Education

This qualitative study sought to ascertain early childhood student teachers' perspectives regarding the utilization of teaching videos, together with their associated advantages and disadvantages. Rich data was collected through reflective papers from 56 students and three focus groups (20 students). The participants were female student teachers enrolled in the Department of Early Childhood at King Saud University during the 2023–2024 academic year. The study concluded that the purpose of using teaching videos was limited to clarification and representations of practice. The findings also showed that the students’ role during video presentation revolved around watching, generating ideas and activities, and focusing …

Pro-Blackness In Early Childhood Education: Diversifying Curriculum And Pedagogy In K-3 Classrooms, David Sandles Jr.

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

In the book Pro-Blackness in Early Childhood Education: Diversifying Curriculum and Pedagogy in K-3 Classrooms, the authors advocate for an educational framework centered on Black cultural principles and values, specifically addressing the impact of anti-Blackness in educational spaces. This text emphasizes the importance of incorporating African Diaspora Literacy (ADL) to support Black children's academic and cultural growth, while rejecting deficit perspectives often shaped by white-dominated educational theories. It highlights the necessity of an Afrocentric approach to curriculum and pedagogy that incorporates historical consciousness, cultural dimensions, and language diversity. By focusing on pro-Black pedagogies, such as the African American Language …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Closing The African American Achievement Gap, Cherie Mcelroy-Burch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a persistent academic achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. Federal and state governments have made numerous efforts, implemented policy changes, and allocated more resources to struggling school districts, yet the disparity in academic achievement persists. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of closing the achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Coll and Lamberty’s model of developmental competencies in minority children. The research question for …

The Impact Of Kinesthetic Attunement On Parents And Their Children With Autism: An Exploration, Ritu Shree

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the impact of kinesthetic attunement as experienced through dance movement therapy (DMT) with parent-child dyads on parental stress, children’s adaptive skills and joint attention. A qualitative reflective account of parents was also studied to understand the depth of parents’ experience of dance movement therapy with their children with autism. The research emphasized the importance of collective parent-child dance therapy sessions, that especially focused on attunement and connection that built its way up from sensory-motor, social-communicative, and relational play and engagement.

A total of six parent-child dyads participated in the study that lasted over eight DMT sessions. Parents …

Building Early Phonemic Awareness, Tessa K. Sutfin

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Alphabet knowledge and phonemic awareness skills are strong predictors of later reading ability (Stanley and Finch, 2018). Therefore, phonemic awareness and letter-sound relationships are skills that Kindergarteners have a limited amount of time to master. As a result, educators must think critically about the strategies and forms of assessment implemented to ensure they are setting young readers up for lifelong success in reading. The purpose of my study was to determine if explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence would increase student ability to isolate, segment, blend, and decode grade-level text. Strategies included kinesthetic movements of the hands and …

Enhancing Digital Accessibility For Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Learners- Innovative Strategies For Inclusive Education, Felicia Rutledge Ph.D.

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This research-to-practice brief explores innovative strategies to enhance digital accessibility for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH) learners, focusing on practical applications for inclusive K-12 education. Despite advances in digital learning, D/HH learners face unique barriers due to auditory-centered designs. Accessibility legislation such as the ADA, Section 504, and IDEA mandate educational inclusion for these learners. Key strategies include the integration of assistive technologies (e.g., captioning, ASL video interpretation), the application of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 guidelines, and adherence to WCAG 2.1 principles for accessible content design. The research-to-practice brief provides actionable insights for educators, administrators, and …

Access To Idea Data By People With Disabilities, For People With Disabilities, Johan Rempel, Fred Edora

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Rhonda Weiss Center for Accessible IDEA Data’s (Weiss Center) mission is to improve state capacity to collect, report, analyze, and use IDEA data in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. One of the ways we at the Weiss Center aim to achieve this is through the development and adoption of our Accessible Data Analysis and Publishing Tool (ADAPT). States are responsible for numerous federal reporting requirements on performance indicators related to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. States often have limited capacity and resources to ensure this data is fully accessible. …

Editorial: Digital Accessibility Practices Guided By Past Models And Modern Research, Cynthia Curry, Jared Smith

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Digital Accessibility: A Critical Imperative For Inclusive Information Access, Matt Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

A Strong Start: Crafting An Onboarding Experience For Early Childhood Special Education Teachers, Dael E. Babb

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

A Strong Start: Crafting an Onboarding Experience for Early Childhood Special Education Teachers

Dael Babb

Minnesota State University Moorhead

SPED 696: Capstone Project in Special Education

Dr. Keri DeSutter

May 16, 2025

Abstract

Special education teachers face challenges in their early careers, such as burnout, heavy workloads, and lack of support. Previous research shows that well-structured induction programs, including mentorship, professional development, and administrative support, are critical in improving teacher satisfaction and retention rates. Findings from previous research also suggest that teachers who receive strong mentorship and structured onboarding are more likely to stay in the profession long-term. With the …

Vocal Stereotypy Interventions Using Response Interruption And Redirection, Haley Tallent

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Vocal stereotypy is the repetitive, nonfunctional, and/or noncontextual vocalizations that are specifically maintained through internal reinforcement (Shawler, et al., 2020). Vocal stereotypy is commonly displayed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it may also occur in individuals with or without disabilities. When individuals engage in vocal stereotypy, they may lose learning opportunities, struggle to engage in daily tasks, and may even become stigmatized by their peers. One intervention used to reduce the frequency of vocal stereotypy in individuals with ASD is Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD). RIRD was first evaluated for effectiveness in 2007 by Ahearn and colleagues. …

Early Adolescent Intervention: A Therapy Group For Girls, Madelyn A. Ohm

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

As mental health concerns are on the rise, especially among adolescents, it is important to consider promoting early intervention. Paying attention to the nuances surrounding personal identity and interpersonal relationships during adolescence is crucial. Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills encompass just what is needed to address said nuances, including interpersonal effectiveness skills, emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Thus, the proposed DBT group and therapeutic manual designated for adolescent girls summarizes and explores suggestions for early intervention of mental health services. This, alongside the careful attention to the population’s specific needs and noted modules, allows for the exploration of mental …

Being In Community With Children And Engaging Their Full Range Of Civic Capabilities. A Response To "Learning To Talk And Listen In Elementary Social Studies: Exploring A Third-Grade Teacher’S Decision To Use Classroom Talk For Community Building", Katherina A. Payne

Democracy & Education

Early childhood social studies should open opportunities for children to make sense of their social world; the civic question of how we live together is central to the social world. Elementary classrooms are uniquely positioned to support democratic civic education given the amount of time children and adults spend together, the emphasis placed on cultivating a positive classroom community, and children’s capabilities to cultivate relationships full of care and concern for people from outside their close familial relations. In response to Lo’s (2025) examination of a third-grade teacher’s use of discussion to engage in contentious topics while cultivating a sense …

Lived Experiences Of Hispanic Parents Considering Early Intervention Services For Developmentally Delayed Children, Karina Proffer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have demonstrated that children benefit significantly from Early Intervention (EI) services due to brain plasticity and rapid early development. EI supports growth and establishes foundational skills in cognitive, social, emotional, motor, language, and daily living domains. Research indicates that children who participate in EI programs experience positive outcomes in their academic trajectories. However, limited studies examine the lived experiences of Hispanic parents with children diagnosed with autism or intellectual disabilities who did not utilize EI services. This study explores the factors influencing these parents' decisions and experiences that hinder their children’s participation in the program. The Theory of Planned …

Early Childhood Educators’ Experiences Facilitating Learning Of Noncognitive Skills, Amanda Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that early childhood educators need help supporting young children in learning noncognitive skills, such as socialization, perseverance, and self-efficacy. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood educators’ experiences facilitating the learning of noncognitive skills, specifically socialization, perseverance, and self-efficacy. The study was grounded in the conceptual frameworks Nagaoka et al.’s noncognitive framework and Stingher’s learning to learn in early childhood framework. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight local early childhood educators who teach 3- and 4-year-olds, who were contacted via email, word of mouth, …

Rays Of Resilience:Tbri® Nurture Group© Intervention For Improved Social-Emotional Development In Head Start, Madison Carlson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) face challenges that impact their developmental trajectory, family dynamics, and occupational engagement (CDC, 2021a). Rays of Resilience is a trauma-informed occupational therapy capstone project designed to enhance social-emotional skills in preschoolers at a rural Head Start program guided by the TBRI® framework and the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model. Using Nurture Group© small group intervention, collaboration with staff, and engagement with caregivers, this project targeted social-emotional development and relationship building in children with a higher risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Fifteen students participated in weekly lessons focused on self-regulation, identifying emotions, and communicating wants …

A Study Of Social And Emotional Learning Provision To Kindergarten Students In A Rural School Through The Lens Of Whole Child Development, Shirley Spiegel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this Improvement Science Project was to take appraisal of a rural school district’s current approach for developing the whole child in kindergarten. Three prominent context-based child development theories serve as the framework for this study in determining if there is evidence in practice for support of whole child development, or if those practices or components of the current practices do not demonstrate clear evidence for whole child development, according to the theoretical framework. Conducted through the lens of these whole child development theories, this study centered on the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision to kindergarten students …

‘I Don’T Know Which Fire To Put Out’: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of First Year Teachers In Title I Schools, Crystal P. Glover, Erin Hamel, Koti Hubbard

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

For many early childhood and elementary educators, the early years of their professional career can prove to be the most challenging. Not surprisingly, approximately 30% of teachers leave the classroom within the first five years (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond & Carver-Thomas, 2019). That rate is even higher (~50%) for teachers in Title I schools (Miller, 2018). Despite a plethora of research regarding the causes of teacher attrition, very little has been done to specifically investigate the experiences of beginning teachers in Title I schools. This study seeks to identify and document the factors that positively and negatively affect those experiences.

The Ecology Of Practices: Perspectives Of Female Principals Leading Rural Schools In Zimbabwe, Precious Guramatunhu Mudiwa

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of five female principals leading rural schools in Zimbabwe. Using a qualitative approach through face-to-face interviews and employing the ecology of practices framework (Stengers, 2005) to address environmental challenges in rural schools, the findings illustrate the multidimensional challenges faced by female school leaders in rural settings, that include infrastructural deficiencies, chronic academic underperformance, poor teacher working conditions, absenteeism, funding shortages, and gender bias. Despite these difficulties, principals demonstrated resilience through strategic leadership, community collaboration, and faith-based coping mechanisms. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of the intersection of gender and educational …

Getting Back To The Root Of Kindergarten: Using Literacy-Based Materials To Enhance Play Centers, Lauren E. Mcmahon

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This mixed methods action research study aimed to determine what kindergarten students do when literacy-based materials are integrated into pre-existing play centers. Additionally, the researchers wanted to discover student and teacher perceptions of literacy-based materials used to enhance play in the classroom. To do this, a pre- and post-survey was given to student participants and field notes were taken daily during center time. A pre- and post-focus group was facilitated with student participants, and a pre- and post-interview was facilitated with the teacher participant. The data collected over four weeks was analyzed using the constant comparative method. Researchers found that …

Using Iready To Support Math Intervention After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Marvin Prather

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to research the use of iReady for assisting in growing MAP RIT scores at STEAM Elementary School. This study will use quantitative methods. An ex post facto research design will be used with a causal-comparative approach, which means that a study will investigate potential cause-and-effect relationships between variables by examining existing groups or conditions that have already occurred, without actively manipulating any factors, essentially looking at “after the fact” to see if differences between groups can be linked to a potential causal variable The study examined the effect of the i-Ready Math program on …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On Challenges Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices In The Classroom, Tamesha Samone Parris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood teachers’ understanding of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is necessary to support children’s development and learning in early childhood settings. The problem was many early childhood teachers experience challenges using DAP to make informed decisions in the classroom to support birth to 3-year-old children’s development and learning. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on challenges using DAP to make informed decisions to support birth to 3-year-old children’s development and learning in the classroom and what was needed to improve their use of DAP. The conceptual framework for this study was the National …

Birds Of A Feather: An Integrated Outdoor-Based Bird Study P-3 Curriculum Guide, Erin A. Buzza

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

In a post-pandemic world that places technology at the at the forefront, educators are searching for ways to help students connect with the natural world. This project aids teachers in tackling this challenge by using the study of birds as a motivation to engage students with the outdoors and local wildlife. To demonstrate how ornithology topics can be used as an integrated thematic unit, research regarding components of ecological literacy is presented. They include nature-based learning, outdoor learning, environmental education, and wildlife education. In addition to these pedagogies, the benefits of incorporating interdisciplinary learning within the classroom are also provided …

Supporting Higher Level Mental Skills In Early Childhood Education, Paul J. Johnaon

Graduate Teacher Education

The early childhood years established a critical developmental period during which foundational cognitive, social, and emotional skills were cultivated (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011). Research highlighted the significant role of experiences during this stage of life in shaping children's readiness for school and long-term academic, social, and emotional outcomes (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011). Among these foundational skills, executive function (EF) and self-regulation (SR) were recognized as essential for enabling goal-oriented behavior, emotional management, and problem-solving (Morgan et al., 2016). The increasing emphasis on academic rigor in early childhood education led to …

Disciplinary Literacy In Preschool Classrooms, Mckenna Beam

Graduate Teacher Education

The research questioned the potential impact disciplinary literacy may have on academic growth in early childhood classrooms and considered how preschool teachers can implement developmentally appropriate practices focusing on disciplinary literacy to support academic readiness skills. Schools emphasize a need for early intervention in the math and literacy domains to combat the academic achievement gap, but Chapin (2006) recognized a need for early intervention in the science and social studies domains as well. With this knowledge in mind, specific developmentally appropriate methods for integrating science, social studies, music, and art instruction in preschool classrooms were highlighted. Systemic methods of implementing …

Gene X Environment Interactions: Polygenic Scores And The Impact Of A Early Childhood Intervention In Colombia, Orazio Attanasio, Gabriella Conti, Pamela Jervis, Costas Meghir, Aysu Okbay

Discussion Papers

We evaluate impacts heterogeneity of an Early Childhood Intervention, with respect to the Educational Attainment Polygenic Score (EA4 PGS) constructed from DNA data based on GWAS weights from a European population. We find that the EA4 PGS is predictive of several measures of child development, mother’s IQ and, to some extent, educational attainment. We also show that the impacts of the intervention are significantly greater in children with low PGS, to the point that the intervention eliminates the initial genetic disadvantage. Lastly, we find that children with high PGS attract more parental stimulation; however, the latter increases more strongly in …

Enhancing Communication For Individuals With Complex Communication Needs: The Critical Role Of Training And Evidence-Based Aac Strategies, Rachel H. Williams

Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education Faculty Publications

Communication is a basic human right, as affirmed by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities (NJC, 2024). For individuals with complex communication needs (CCN), special considerations must be taken into account to ensure equitable access to this right and must be supported through appropriate services, tools, and strategies. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are essential for many individuals with CCN, enabling access to expressive and receptive language. However, successful AAC implementation requires well-trained educators, speech-language pathologists, and support staff who understand how to assess, model, and support communication effectively (Brady et al., …

Collaborative Research: Developing And Testing Innovations: Early Childhood Maker Literacies: Fostering Computational Thinking Among Navajo Youth And Educators, Kristin Searle

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Sensory Materials On The Behavior Of Children In Early Childhood Education, Hannah Holt

Honors Theses

In the field of early childhood education, several studies report the benefits of sensory play on children’s physical and cognitive development. This study focuses on the impact sensory play has on the behavior of young children as reported by primary teachers at the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center through surveys. The surveys found that engaging in sensory play had a positive effect on the behavior of young children, which suggests the need for further research into why sensory play positively affects a child’s emotional state.

The Impact On General Education Preschool Teachers Mainstreaming Children With Special Needs: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study That Aims To Explore General Education Preschool Teacher Experiences Regarding Challenges And Strategies When Mainstreaming Students With Special Needs In The General Education Preschool Classroom, Magdalena Tapia Lamas

Dissertations

Purpose: This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore general education preschool teacher experiences regarding challenges and strategies faced in differentiating instruction while engaging and supporting all students in learning based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological methodology was conducted using semistructured interview questions with 12 general education preschool teachers. Results of interviews and an artifact collection and review were used to analyze how general education preschool teachers described their experiences regarding challenges and strategies faced in differentiating instruction, based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP).

Findings: The findings from the study indicate …