Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Improving Kindergartener’S Initiative To Problem Solve Through Integrated Stem, Jessica Walston

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

Many teachers are familiar with students who are scared to try to solve a problem and instead look to adults for specific answers. Students need to be prepared to solve problems independently and collaboratively. One of the necessary skills to solve a problem is to first try, or take initiative. The purpose of this action research was to identify Kindergarten students’ initial initiative to problem solve by formal evaluation of student learning-related skills, taken from the Cooper-Farran Behavioral Rating Scale (1991). In this study, students were provided opportunities to take the initiative to problem solve through a series of integrated …

From The Stars In The Sky To The Fish In The Sea, Jennifer Smith

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Wonder, Karleah Schroeder

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Dumpling Soup, Arielle Tringali

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Behavior Skills Training And Self-Monitoring On Paraprofessionals’ Use Of Incidental Teaching Procedures In A Preschool Classroom, Bayley Thompson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This project investigated effects of behavior skills training (BST) and self-monitoring on paraprofessionals’ use of incidental teaching procedures in a preschool classroom. Target behaviors involved correctly implementing two incidental teaching procedures: inadequate portions and sabotage. During baseline the paraprofessional displayed low levels of correct implementation of incidental teaching procedures. The participant then completed a training which included BST and self-monitoring. In addition to treatment data collection, the paraprofessional completed an incidental teaching questionnaire and a social validity survey as secondary measures. Results showed that the BST and self-monitoring package improved the participants’ implementation of correct incidental teaching procedures.

Pedagogies Of Possibility : A Study Reconceptualizing The Teacher's Role In A Reggio-Inspired Urban Preschool Classroom., Christina Louise Angleton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education is an innovative and often imitated “way of being” with young children (Rinaldi, 2006). Reggio-inspired teachers enact rich pedagogical stances in their work with young children. In North American contexts, the approach is frequently associated with wealthy, suburban communities. Adopting a feminist methodology, this dissertation explores the pedagogical moves one teacher made as she enacted the identity of a Reggio teacher in an urban preschool classroom. The theoretical framework guiding this study is grounded in feminist poststructural, postmodern, and decolonization scholarship, each of which inform a movement known as Reconceptualizing Early Childhood …

The Impact Of Healthy Living Education On Parents When Selecting Snacks For Their Children, Daphnea Lou Sutherland

Masters Theses

The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has become a major health concern in the United States and other countries. Obese children are now acquiring what is considered adult diseases, at a young age. This will have detrimental effects on their health as a child and even more so as an adult, resulting in poor quality of life and a shorter lifespan. An obese child also faces delays and shortages in meeting developmental standards, such as physical development, psychosocial, emotional development, cognitive, and so forth. When obese, children will have a harder time concentrating on learning materials and will struggle in …

Mathematics Out Of Nothing: Talking About Powerful Mathematical Ideas With Children, Matthew Oldridge

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Parents and educators have powerful opportunities to introduce children to big mathematical ideas, when those ideas become necessary. Children are capable and curious. They don’t need to be sheltered from big mathematical ideas. Bring out mathematical ideas when kids are ready, or when they are needed. This article describes one such instance, when I helped my six-year-old son move beyond zero in the negative direction when subtracting.

A Guide To How Your Child Learns: Understanding The Brain From Infancy To Young Adulthood, By D. P. Sortino, Jessica Platt

LWLC Faculty Research

In the first of three books in his Brain Smart series, David P. Sortino emphasizes the importance of honoring “miraculous differences in abilities and learning styles” (p. xvii). He illustrates his point with an example of a fifth grade science teacher who brought a live bat to school in order to teach a lesson on species. Introducing a live mammal instead of instructing students to group animals based on their similarities on paper, the teacher stimulated students’ limbic system (hippocampus), which resulted in a higher level of cognition for students in her class. This example captures the essence of A …

Cracked Windows, Broken Mirrors, And Closed Doors: A Critical Content Analysis Of African American Children's Books, Tiffany World

Doctor of Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education Dissertations

ABSTRACT

There is a current shortage of culturally responsive African American children’s books. Culturally responsive literature provides a positive influence on children of all races and researchers have indicated that picturebooks that are diverse and culturally responsive can affirm cultural and social identities (Crowley, Fountain, & Torres, 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine how the life experiences of African American families are currently being depicted in recently published children’s literature. This study employed a qualitative research design to explore the topic of African American families in children’s literature. The study examined how African American families are represented …

Influences Of Block Play On Academic Learning In Preschool, Kelsey Rasmuson

Graduate Teacher Education

Preschool classrooms often include free play time during the school day. Many studies have been conducted on the common sociodramatic play center, yet less research has observed the importance of block play. However, the block play center can be used to foster literacy and mathematics skills. Similar to other play centers, block play is a social phenomenon where students can develop language skills and vocabulary. Early math skills are supported as students count, sort, classify, and identify blocks. Students must also use spatial awareness and language to place blocks. Furthermore, preschoolers must problem solve and use logical and creative thinking …

The Experience Of Co-Teaching For Emergent Arabic-English Literacy, Anna M. Dillon, Kay Gallagher

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we explore teachers’ experiences of co-teaching within a new bilingual (Arabic/ English) model in public Kindergarten schools in the United Arab Emirates. The main objective was to understand teachers’ experiences with intercultural teaching for biliteracy in this context. We interviewed six pairs of co-teachers. These co-teachers represent six of the nationalities of teachers working in public Kindergartens in Abu Dhabi, thereby representing a cross-section of the cultural context of teaching in the reformed public schools. The data highlight teachers’ varied co-teaching practices and point to aspects such as classroom management and translanguaging as aspects of classroom practice …

Will Teaching Pecs To Vocal And Non-Vocal Students Increase Social Interactions?, Patricia Kathleen Infantino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of PECS when taught to vocal and non- vocal students would increase communication and interactions during social situations. While using PECS both groups increased their social interactions during play time. Before this study the children in group one were not interacting at all. After being taught the use of PECS Group One interacted an average of five times per session. Before the study the children in Group two were not demonstrating any interactions, and after being taught the use of PECS they interacted an average of 10 times per …

Creating Positive Learning Environments In Early Childhood Using Teacher-Generated Prosocial Lessons, Callum B. Johnston, Teresa K. Herzog, Crystal R. Hill-Chapman, Caitlin Siney, Ashley Fergusson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A primary motivation for people to behave as they do is the need to belong socially to a group and to have relevance. A positive learning environment for young students is created when students are recognized and accepted by their peers and their teachers, and studies reveal that in such environments, students perform better academically and tend to have fewer behavioral issues. These environments may also act as a buffer against school dropout rates. This study examined whether teaching prosocial lessons to first-grade students in the southeastern United States would create positive learning environments for children who otherwise may not …

Maximizing Every Child's Potential In The First 1,000 Days Of Life: A Landscape Analysis, Emily Sharrock, Courtney Parkerson

Bank Street Education Center

This report features a series of findings, supporting evidence, and bright spots that build a case for developing a stronger approach to supporting the diverse infant/toddler workforce.

Creating Children’S Literature Teac 854: Fall 2019 Tuesday 5 – 7:50 Pm, Judy Diamond

Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education: Department Information

Participate in the experience of becoming a published children’s book author. What are the elements to writing a successful children’s book? Class members will develop and evaluate original stories targeted to a particular young audience. The stories can be written for print or digital formats, and they can be text-based and/or illustrated, including comics. The class will access appropriate print and digital publishing venues, and stories will be submitted for publication by the end of the semester.

Instructor: Judy Diamond PhD, Professor and Curator, University of Nebraska State Museum

Ua10/1 Vitality Report, Wku Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex.

• Moore, Mary. LifeWorks Groundbreaking Ceremony Announced
• Hardin, Amy. Sensory Bags Avaiable at WKU Home Football Games
• Kersting, Frank. LifeWorks Job Training & Placement
• Sales, Shannon. Coffee & Conversation: Resources in the SOKY Area for Families with Special Needs
• Hudson, Caroline. Renshaw Early Childhood Care Center Explores the Wonders of Nature Through Play
• Hudson, Caroline. Dating Dos & Don'ts - Circle of Support
• Elkins, Michelle. Building Leadership Skills with a New Kelly Autism Program Group
• Elkins, Michelle. Kelly Autism Program Summer Camp Experience
• Orndorff, Ericka. A Farewell Letter
• Collins, …

How Does Classroom Context Affect Head Start Teachers' Use Of Cognitively Challenging Talk?, Jordan Alexis Gregory

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Early Math And Numeracy Skills On Academic Achievement In Elementary School, Payton Guhl

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The following literature review explores the impact of learning early math and numeracy skills prior to formal schooling on later academic success. Much of the current focus in early childhood is based around literacy. However, as this literature review shows, early math skills are a more powerful predictor of academic success through elementary school. Several studies have been performed to show the significance of these skills on future math success and were consulted for this review. Within this review is what early math and numeracy skills are, how they develop in young children, the importance of these skills, how they …

Utilizing Ipad Applications To Increase Preschool Students’ Knowledge Of Rhyme, Trisha Whelan

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if utilizing iPad applications (apps) in a preschool classroom can increase students’ phonemic awareness skills, specifically knowledge of rhyme. Research completed by Hornsby and Wilson tell us that rhyme is a great opportunity for students to practice phonics, which in turn enhances literacy skills. Rhyme allows them to play with the sounds within words and helps them to understand the sounds that letters make. A classroom of ten preschool students were allowed to utilize ABCmouse (2005) and Montessori-Rhyme Time learning games for kids (2013) applications on iPads during free choice times for …

Increasing Engagement During Circle Time Using Technology, Amanda Williams

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

All preschool teachers dream of a way to make all students engaged during circle time. This may seem like an impossible task but this study finds that adding technology during circle time can increase engagement. In this study the teacher and the students will be using a Smart Board as the technology. This is done by using interactive hands on activities allowing the students to be involved in their own learning rather than being lectured the information. In this study a rubric was used to assess the student’s engagement during circle time. Engagement without the use of technology scored a …

Social Emotional Development In Early Childhood, Dawn Askeland

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review explores young children’s social emotional development and its importance. Social emotional development is crucial to a child’s success in school and in life. Social emotional development is defined and ideas are presented on how to promote it. Social emotional skills can be promoted in early childhood classrooms everyday. This can be done in a variety of lessons and activities. Social emotional development can be promoted by embedding it in all areas of the day. In recent years, other priorities have been seen in early childhood classrooms and at home. Some researchers believe this has resulted in a …

Nebline, July 2019

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Nebraska’s Bad Buzz: What You Need to Know About Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Summertime Snacking With Salsa

Recipes of the Month

Weather Challenges Keep Coming

Block Play Encourages Children’s Development in Multiple Areas

Extension Offers “Block Party” for Childcare Programs

Upcoming Early Childhood Trainings

My Personal Experience With West Nile Virus

Check Landscape Plants for Bagworms

Garden Guides: Things to Do This Month

Greener Town Grant Applications Due Aug. 31

HEART OF 4-H VOLUNTEER AWARD: Kylee Yakel

SUPER FAIR 4-H/FFA ANIMAL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE BY JULY 1

11 4-H Clubs Helped at Kiwanis Karniva

Many Ways to …

Participation Status In An Arkansas Better Chance Program On Early Literacy And Mathematics Readiness, Shanda R. Trotter-Coleman

College of Education Dissertations

The current study explored the effects of ABC prekindergarten program status by gender and ethnicity on early literacy and mathematics readiness for students entering kindergarten in a large urban school district in Central Arkansas. The study used scores for kindergarten students categorized by their prekindergarten participation in the school district’s ABC prekindergarten program (participated versus no participation), gender, and ethnicity (White and non-White). The NWEA MAP Growth assessment was used to measure literacy and mathematics achievement in all nine elementary schools in the Central Arkansas school district. In all four hypotheses, the main effect of ABC prekindergarten program participation was …

Prince & Knight, Natasha Vinson

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

A Family Is A Family Is A Family, Ashley Weaver

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

A Is For Activist, Melody Elliott

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Catherine's Story, Adam Lind

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

A Family Is A Family Is A Family, Katherine Jones

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Parental Involvement On Early Literacy Skills, Sara Harlan

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This action research was conducted to identify a correlation in high literacy skills with parental involvement and support. Baseline data was gathered from kindergarten student's winter FAST screener scores. Parental involvement began by sending homework for my students to work on with an adult in their home. A spreadsheet was kept tracking which students returned their parent signature sheet weekly and which students did not. All students were progress monitored on letter sounds weekly. The spring FAST screener data was then used to gather ending data. Growth was compared from the winter to spring data with the amount of parental …