Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Outside Classroom: Unstructured Outdoor Play In Early Childhood Education, Valerie Lockhart

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study examines the benefits of unstructured outdoor play in early childhood education through the lens of an original children's book and correlative research.

Another New Teacher : A Children's Book And Teacher's Guide To Addressing Teacher Change, Cheyenne M. Gleason

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A children's picture book which explores the topic of teacher change during the school year. The purpose of this book is to open up a space for conversation around teacher change in classrooms that experience a change in the teaching staff mid-year.

Where The Wild Things Are And Why They Will Endure: An Analysis Of The Longevity Of Maurice Sendak's Work, Ana Appel

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study looks to explain why Maurice Sendak's works have achieved a place in the classic cannon of children's literature. It starts by discussing children's literary theory and looks at the era of children's literature within which Sendak wrote, his illustrations, and his writing. The study then looks at psychoanalytic themes in his work. It analyzes the use of the conscious, unconscious, id, and ego. It further describes the use of archetypes of the collective unconscious in Sendak's work and why this connects to many readers. Then, the study describes bibliotherapy, books as therapeutic aids, and discusses how Sendak's books …

Delilah The Dinosaur With Type 1 Diabetes: Addressing The Social-Emotional Needs Of The Young Child Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes, Andrea Tuttman Gellerstein

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study is intended to support very young children, ages 4-8, who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their families. The following work provides a thorough examination of literature regarding the social-emotional effects of type 1 diabetes on the young child and his or her family; the specific developmental challenges that can arise due to an early type 1 diabetes diagnosis; and a detailed review of the current fictional children's literature available to this population. Finally, as a culmination of this research, this project includes an original, fictional story intended to address the social-emotional needs of the young …

Ash Cans & Corn Fed Hares: Book One Of The Ny Explorer's Club, Corinne Flax

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Ash Cans & Corn Fed Hares is a work of semi-historical fiction (set in the present, dealing with facts of the past), which can be used in a classroom or in a home to help students/children forge connections with past and present. The book also helps students find and use some of the research resources available in New York. Ash Cans showcases alternative methods of information gathering in the context of adventure and mystery, while focusing on the importance of individual meaning-making.

Don't Yuck My Yum : A Tasty Alphabet Book, Rebekah Friedman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Don't Yuck My Yum is an alphabet book that moves the reader through the experience children have when they are gathered in a restaurant for a party where each child orders a food that is somehow ruined. The phrase, "Don't Yuck My Yum", used as a refrain, is the children's angry response to receiving the disappointing plate, meaning, "don't ruin my delicious food." Because it is an alphabet book, there are 26 children, one for each letter, and a child's name that begins with each letter and a corresponding food. The story is punctuated every four stanzas with the refrain, …

Finding Our Way Back Home: Reintroducing Mythology Into The Lives Of Children, Faith Klavan

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Mythology is present in almost all aspects of modern life. Though many books, movies, video games and advertisements make reference to ancient myths, the myths themselves are no longer readily accessible to children. This thesis provides a rationale for writing a children's book which retells an ancient Greek myth. An outline for the book, entitled Perseus, as well as two sample chapters, are included. The thesis deals with mythology's relevance to the modern child asserting that it can help him/her deal with issues such as step-parents, separation anxiety and the need for individuation. The thesis also discusses the ways in …

Querida Prima, Dear Prima : A Story For Children Seven To Ten Years Old, Stephanie Hermann

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This project is an original bilingual story of two cousins who live in two different countries. The United States and Costa Rica. They bridge their separation by writing letters and emails throughout the story. Through this correspondence they learn about each other and the have more in common in their seemingly distinct worlds than they realize. The text of the book is written in English. The correspondence between the two characters is in English with Spanish translations.

This thesis includes a rationale which explains the need for this book in a world that recognizes the importance of bilingualism and on …

From Bulbs To Flowers, Elizabeth Vazquez

Graduate Student Independent Studies

In this thesis, I first developed the notion of a bulb as a means of introducing science to young children (ages five to eight).

First, bulb experiments were implemented. After a literature search, it was discovered that few books introduce scientific concepts with a storyline for young children. Therefore, I developed such a book in the process of writing the thesis. Lesson plans on bulbs for teachers were also developed and can be used in conjunction with the book or independently.

A Surprisingly Special Summer : A Story For Eight-To Ten-Year-Old Children, Connie Biewald

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A Surprisingly Special Summer is a story for children from about eight to ten years old. It's an earthbound fantasy, a story that takes place in the real world but involves a fantastical character and gives an account of the events caused by her presence. The fantastical character is Allura, a tiny person discovered by two children in a fortune cookie. She spends an exciting and growth-filled summer with them. They have many adventures and learn a great deal from one another.