Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Nebline, October 2019

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Groundwater Protection: It’s Up to Everyone

The Nutritional Power of Pumpkins

Recipe of the Month

Sulfur Deficiency in Corn

Planting Garlic in the Fall Vegetable Garden

Composting Demonstrations

I Spy a Spider: Common Spiders Around the Home

Invasive Species: American Bullfrog

Plant Spring Bulbs for Pollinators

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Become a Master Gardener

Chatting With Babies Helps Brain Development

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Kelsey Ebke

4-H Golf Tournament Fundraiser, Sept. 29

4-H Specialty Clubs Invite New Members

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers and Volunteers

State Fair 4-H Top Results

Lancaster County 4-H Quilt of Valor Presented …

Geo-Baloo: Teaching Geometry Through Physical Activities, Mi Sun Park, Young Rae Kim, Eunhye Kwon

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Hello, My Name Is Octicorn, Victoria Glaubitz

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence And Importance Of Ethnic Diversity In Children’S Literature, Rose Schewe

Senior Honors Theses

Despite the complicated past of ethnic censorship, ethnic diversity has a prominent role in children’s literature published in the United States because diversity is accurately representative of the culture in which today’s young readers live. Children’s literature has advanced in terms of ethnic diversity in recent decades, but obstacles that prevent the stories of various minority groups from being told continue to exist. In order for all children to feel properly included in the literary world, children must be given the opportunity to see both people who are different from them as well as people who bear similarities to themselves …

Language Nests On The Move: The Case Of Võro Pre-Primary Education In Estonia, Kara D. Brown, Mariko Faster

Faculty Publications

This article considers the circuitous route of knowledge exchange from South (New Zealand)-to North (Finland)-to regional South (Estonia) by examining the development of Võro language nests (keelepesä) in Estonia. Language nests reflect the global nature of educational knowledge exchange as well as the importance of networks of languageresearchers and activists in this policy inspiration. Estonia is a fascinating case for understanding the international spread and local development of the language-nest approach in a post-Socialist context. The authors draw on concepts of policy borrowing and diffusion and the “grammar of schooling” to explore the spread of the language nest approach and …

Children See Race; Teachers Should Too: Challenging Bias, Stereotypes, And Prejudice Through Children's Literature, Alexandra J. Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impacts of antibias culturally responsive literature on kindergarten children and teachers through qualitative action research conducted in one classroom over the course of twelve weeks. It examines how young children in this kindergarten classroom use what they have learned from and about antibias culturally responsive literature in their daily play, writing, conversations, and interactions. I clarify the process through which kindergarteners transform in relation to the understanding of their and others' cultures. In the research, two types of strategies were used: (1) critical research and (2) narrative inquiry. Data was collected from whole group discussions set …

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 Effects Of Early Technology Use On The Development Of Young Children, Kara E. Avis

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

With technology becoming a prevalent part of daily life, early childhood experts, teachers, and parents have concerns as to what is appropriate for young children to do and use. Research shows both benefits and potential risks associated with technology use. Benefits can include enhanced creativity and collaboration with peers and adults, literacy achievement gains, language and vocabulary development, and opportunities for independence. These benefits generally occur in purposeful situations with developmentally appropriate educational content alongside adult guidance and scaffolding. Risks include health factors, cognitive and behavioral challenges, displacement of traditional developmental activities, and fewer personal interactions. These risks are more …

Use Of Formative Assessment To Structure Flexible Differentiated Learning Groups: A Pathway To Equity, Deanna M. Westedt

Theses and Dissertations

The action research contained in this study seeks to identify the impact of formative assessment in the structuring of flexible differentiation in order to provided equity within the self-contained classroom for all intersectionalities amongst elementary students. Grounded in community of practice theory, the research explores structures within flexible differentiation and small group learning that provide students of varied and overlapping identities with access and equity within the four walls of the self-contained classroom. Additionally, the influence of flexible differentiation on the affective nature of students was explored. The teacher-researcher utilized a mixed-methods approach in order to provide a holistic picture. …

Youth Design The Future Of Transportation For Their Community, Christian Wandeler, Steven Hart, Felipe Mercado

Mineta Transportation Institute

The complexity of a globalized world, accelerating technological advances, and rapid change challenge educational systems. Around the world the call is to develop 21st century skills with a focus on career readiness, ability for lifelong learning, and collaboration skills. The development of the foundational elements of civic engagement (civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions) of children and youth is also a dominant concern for educators and policymakers. Unfortunately, not all youth have the same opportunities to develop civic self-efficacy. However, the civic empowerment engagement gap can be closed by providing underserved students with interactive and authentic civic experiences.

We strove to …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised And Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition, Jennifer Neitzel, Diane Early, John Sideris, Dore Laforrett, Michael B. Abel, Margaret Soli, Dawn L. Davidson, Amanda Haboush-Deloye, Linda L. Hestenes, Denise Jenson, Cindy Johnson, Jennifer Kalas, Angela Mamrak, Marie L. Masterson, Sharon U. Mims, Patti Oya, Bobbi Philson, Megan Showalter, Mallory Warner-Richter, Jill Kortright Wood

School of Public Health Faculty Research

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales, including the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (Harms et al., 2005) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (Harms et al., 2015) are the most widely used observational assessments in early childhood learning environments. The most recent version of the scale addresses some of the criticisms in the research literature, particularly related to the organization of the Scale and the standard scoring procedures. In the current study, we explore the relationship between the two scales. Specifically, we evaluated the correlations between the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised and the Early Childhood Environment …

Increasing Family And Caregiver Engagement In Benton Harbor Area Schools, Susan V. Piazza, Patricia A. Edwards

Academic Leadership Academy

Increasing Family and Caregiver Engagement in Benton Harbor Area Schools

Exploring The Experiences Of Male Early Childhood Aspiring Teachers, Tingting Xu

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This exploratory study investigated the reasons why males chose early childhood

education and their lived experiences in a teacher education program. Qualitative data

were collected through interviews with twelve male early childhood pre-service

teachers. Results demonstrated that: Participates were passionate about teaching

young children. They were mostly supported by their relatives and friends in their

decision to become an early childhood teacher. They were positive about future career

opportunities but still had an underlying fear of losing job or being seen as sexual

predators. Meanwhile, participates indicated some conflicts might exist between the

field experience and program learning experience. They …

Nebline, September 2019

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Read for Resilience Program Helps Young Children Cope After a Disaster

Breakfast — Don’t Leave Home Without It!

Recipe of the Month

Grazing Calves on Annual Forages

Sheet Composting Requires No Turning

Composting Demonstrations

Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters

Plant Asters for Fall Color

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

The Lowdown on Lyme Disease

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Brenda Nepper

4-H Teen Council Invites New Members

Support 4-H by Dining at Chipotle on O Street, Sept. 16

New Horticulture 4-H Club Meeting, Sept. 19

4-H Golf Tournament Fundraiser, Sept. 29

Interested in Joining 4-H? Come …

Changing Kindergarten Readiness Perceptions In The Rural South, Jeffrey L. Leffler, Ksenia S. Zhbanova, Brooke Sibley, Arnedra Floyd, Tracy Brown

Journal of Research Initiatives

This qualitative study examined the perceptions and understandings of various stakeholders in the early childhood sector of the Southeastern United States about kindergarten readiness in response to the implementation of more rigorous academic standards in kindergarten. The study combined interviews, observations, and documents to assess experiences, expectations, and challenges in meeting the strong accountability standards imposed by accountability measures and the implementation of new standards. The qualitative analysis showed that as more rigorous standards are implemented in kindergarten, all stakeholder groups are experiencing high levels of pressure related to the testing and accountability requirements related to the standards. The study …

Measurement Of Young Children's Learning For Program Evaluation, Jen Jackson, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed, Toby Carslake, Petra Lietz

Monitoring Learning

The global commitment to early learning has been expressed in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals Agenda (SDG) (United Nations, 2016) and access to support for early learning is considered a human right for all children, whether provided by the family, community, or institutional programs (UNESCO, 2013). Inadequate cognitive stimulation has been identified as one of the key psychosocial risk factors associated with poor child development – a factor that is modifiable, with the right interventions (Walker et al., 2007). Thus, insights into how early learning supports may be delivered effectively in various contexts are essential. To explore the …

Minority Students In Stem Careers In The U.S. – The Role Of Ap Calculus, Kendall Coleman

Dissertations

“The number of native-born S&E [science and engineering] graduates entering the workforce is likely to decline unless the nation intervenes to improve success in educating S&E students from all demographic groups, especially those that have been underrepresented in S&E careers” (National Science Board [NSB], 2003, p. 13). More than a decade ago, the National Science Board (NSB) sounded an alarm regarding the projected decline in native-born science and engineering graduates with the aim of driving strategic fundamental changes. There is limited evidence that the NSB’s prognostication is actively being addressed. Approximately 81% percent of all full-time graduate students in U.S. …

Improving Measurement And Expanding Meta-Analytic Knowledge: Social And Emotional Learning In Elementary And Early Childhood, Dana M. Murano

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In the last several decades, the development of student social and emotional skills in educational contexts has received much attention, both domestically and internationally. Whereas previous school-based educational practices had primarily focused on the teaching and testing of cognitive skills, we now recognize that there are constituents of academic success beyond the cognitive skills that are traditionally taught and tested, and the field of social and emotional learning (SEL) has emerged as a result. This two-study dissertation attempted to fill existing gaps in the development of SEL practices by exploring new horizons in both intervention and measurement with preschool and …

The Effects Of An Educational Intervention For Caregivers On Their Knowledge Of Child Sleep And Child Sleep Behavior, Rachel Cohen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sleep is crucial for optimal development, health, and growth in children. However, current research indicates that children are not receiving adequate sleep and lack of sleep can lead to physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems (i.e., Mindell & Owens. 2003). In addition, improper sleep can have a negative impact on learning (Dewald et al., 2010). One route for children to achieve better sleep is to enhance caregiver knowledge about child sleep (Jan et al., 2008). Prior research on this topic has shown that, although caregiver knowledge can be increased through an intervention, often this knowledge increase is not maintained, nor does …

An Examination Of Francophone African-Born Adult Immigrant Family Members’ Narratives Regarding Their Children’S Early Language And Literacy Development, Kimberly Joyce-Bernard

Educational Studies Dissertations

This narrative study explored the perspectives of six Francophone African-born family members who have pre-school aged children attending early childhood care and education settings in the Little Senegal section of Harlem in New York City. It examined the personal experiences they reported regarding their own early language and literacy development, their descriptions of home factors that mediated their children’s language and literacy acquisition, and their reports of the ways in which they experienced the efforts of educators within early childhood care and education settings. A qualitative narrative method framed the study. Purposeful sampling was utilized to identify research participants, and …

From Treading Water To Swimming Uphill: A Comprehensive And Innovative Assessment Program For Teaching Swimming In Belgian Primary Schools., Filip Roelandt

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every child should learn to swim as a recognised life skill. Which swimming skill or stroke to learn first is not the most important question. What is important is to teach children to learn tasks or techniques which allow them to they feel safe. Emphasizing foundational principles of motor development and focusing on safety in and around the water are paramount. Beginning in 2016 school swimming lessons in Flanders (Belgium) were given a new focus in all educational institutions. Foundational competence tasks replaced the focus on acquiring competitive swimming strokes as the primary …

Stem Opportunities - High School 2019, Huey-Xian Kelly Wong, Madeleine Rauhauser, Annie Morgan Nelson

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

This publication details the lesson plan for the “Opportunities in STEM” club for the summer of 2019. This club began out of a desire to educate high school students about the opportunities and careers available in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Often, students feel that the prospect of entering a STEM field is daunting and out of their grasp. What it means to be a scientist is often unclear, and students never consider opportunities out of the fear of the unknown, particularly when science is associated with complexity and difficulty. This lesson plan integrates experiments with a wealth …

Play Behaviors Of Young Children With And Without Expressive Language Delay: An Exploratory Study, Brianna Hendrickson, Shari L. Deveney, Lisa Kelly-Vance

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

The association between language and play development during the early years of children’s lives is important as tremendous growth in development occurs in both at this time. Literature has suggested that if children have less developed language abilities, they may also have less developed play skills. The aim of the current exploratory study was to observe and categorize children’s play behavior using a comprehensive play assessment tool. This tool, the Play in Early Childhood Evaluation System (PIECES) coding scheme developed by Kelly-Vance and Ryalls (2005, 2014), provides information on differences in percentage of time in exploratory, simple pretend, and complex …

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 …

Giving Four-Year-Old Children A "Voice" Within The Comprehensive Evaluation Of Quality Teaching Practices, Mistie M. Perry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Educational research has largely focused on the correlation between governmental entities and classroom pedagogy as policymakers develop more comprehensive evaluation systems that raise the expectations of teacher quality. However, some researchers in the field of early childhood suggest the measurement of teacher quality is largely a “mismatch between informant-based, retroactive methods” (Downer, Booren, Lima, Luckner, & Pianta, 2010, p. 5) as developmentally appropriate measurements of early childhood quality that include the perceptions of the children are few. To examine the potential for researchers to consider the inclusion of children’s perceptions within evaluation systems, this study examines the following area of …

Social And Literacy Development Of School-Based Pre-Kindergarten Students, Stewart Smirthwaite

Dissertations

In order to meet the demands of college and career ready standards, students are expected to enter kindergarten knowing more than ever before. A need exists to examine data that provides evidence of desired social and literacy outcomes for students in kindergarten. In order to address the need for further study of school prekindergarten opportunities for young children, two different sets of data were collected, examined, and discussed. Literacy proficiency was measured by using data from the Mississippi K-3 Assessment Support System’s (MKAS²) Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Social competence was measured using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, …

Nebline, August 2019

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Kids Eat Right Month

Food Safety Tips for Electric Multi-Cookers

Recipe of the Month

Soybean Management Field Days

Landlord–Tenant Cash Rent Workshop, Aug. 21

Fall is Best for Control of Tough Weeds

Free Water Screening for Nitrates

Include Pets in Your Emergency Plan

Going Batty: Bugs on Bats

Make Your Yard a Greener Place

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Tips for a Fun and Educational Day at the Fair

Upcoming Early Childhood Trainings

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Susan Holland

4-H’ers Test Family and Consumer Science and Entrepreneurship Skills at Life Challenge

4-H’ers Test Their Knowledge of Animals …

Constructing Language Ideologies In A Multilingual, Second-Grade Classroom: A Case Study Of Two Emergent Bilingual Students’ Language-Use During Ebook Composing, Lindsey Rowe

Publications

Emergent bilingual students in the United States often attend schools that perpetuate English-only language ideologies. This article draws from qualitative data collected in a multilingual, second-grade classroom in the U.S. to explore how students co-constructed language ideologies across a schoolyear as they engaged in a daily eBook composing activity designed to counter the school's English-only policy and instead value the use of multiple languages. Conceptually, this paper draws upon the notion of language and literacy as social and ideological practices to demonstrate the ways students negotiated multiple, situated, and dynamic language ideologies about various heritage languages. Using data from two …

Improving Young Children's Learning In Economically Developing Countries: What Works, Why, And Where? Scoping Review, Jen Jackson, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed, Toby Carslake, Petra Lietz

Monitoring Learning

This scoping review responds to the increasing interest in improving early childhood education and care (ECEC) in economically developing countries. It examines available research in relation to the question: What effective interventions have been implemented recently in economically developing countries to improve children’s learning in the years before school? As much of the research underpinning ECEC interventions has focused on economically developed countries, it is timely to review available research about the effectiveness of interventions in the economically developing world. The ECEC interventions were categorised as Income supplementation (n=8); Parent-focused interventions (n=37); Child-focused education and nurturing care (n=35); Integrated interventions …