Early Childhood Education Commons^™

A “Teaching As Emergent Learning” Approach To Teaching Deep Creativity, Steven Greenstein, Iain Kerr, Emily Olson

LASER Journal

Creativity is the process by which a change that is new and different emerges. We call it deep when it yields novel forms of both quantitative and qualitative change. If we are to take on the most pressing and persistent challenges to our social, global, and planetary well-being, we need novel approaches of a qualitatively different kind than those that have failed to bring about radical change in the past. In other words, we need deep creativity. The paradox at the heart of ``ideation-first" approaches to creative practice (e.g., brainstorming or ideating) is that if creativity aims to produce outcomes …

Science Communication Through Cool Critters: An Informal Learning Experience For Youth, Jamila L. Bajelan, Mary J. Harner

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

There are numerous ways to communicate science and assess the effectiveness of that communication. One approach focuses on increasing awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and/or understanding of science. For this study, we created an informal learning experience for youth to communicate the science of animals in Nebraska. We developed Cool Critters, a weeklong summer camp for elementary school-aged students, to increase participants' enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals. In 2023, Cool Critters was led in three educational settings in central Nebraska and reached sixty-six participants. Surveys were used to determine the camp's success in effective science communication and whether …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Children’S Lack Of Social Skills Needed For Success In Preschool And Kindergarten, Janet S. Grigg

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was many preschool students in the United States lack the social skills needed to be successful in kindergarten. The study’s purpose was to explore preschool teachers’ perspective regarding some children’s lack of social skills needed for success in kindergarten and the efforts teachers made to promote development of these skills. Using Flavell’s theoretical framework of metacognition and cognitive monitoring, 2 research questions were developed to address teachers’ perspectives and efforts to improve children’s social skills. Twelve preschool teachers from Louisiana with one to twenty years of experience in early childhood were interviewed via Zoom, …

It's Time To Bring Block Play Back To Kindergarten Classrooms, Davia Brown-Franklyn

Bank Street Education Center

Originally published on Medium, this Op-Ed describes the necessity of block play in kindergarten classrooms for the development of essential skills, such as spacial awareness and abstract thinking, language and literacy skills, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking and problem solving skills.

First Opinions, Second Reactions: A Collection Of Innovative Online Reviews Of Literature For Children And Young Adults, Janet Alsup, Christy Wessel-Powell

Purdue University Press Books

First Opinions, Second Reactions: A Collection of Innovative Online Reviews of Literature for Children and Young Adults features selected pieces from the journal First Opinions, Second Reactions, which reviews children’s and young adult books. The journal, and this book, consist of reviews of books written by scholars of children’s and YA literature, followed up with responses from those who share the books with their intended audiences—children and teens. The editors have selected twelve issues classified under four thematic categories (social and political issues; diversity and inclusion; identification and empathy; and genre study) to represent the depth and breadth of …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Karen Denise Buchanan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives on the Challenges of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Karen D. Buchanan Ed.S. Mercer University 2017 MA, Mercer University, 2016 BA, Mercer University, 2012 AS Georgia Perimeter College, 2009 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Education Walden University August 2025

Can Social And Emotional Lessons Improve Student Behavior In A First Grade Classroom? A Program Evaluation, Tara Freeman Mozee

Theses and Dissertations

This program evaluation discusses how using a social and emotional (SEL) curriculum taught first-grade students how to manage and regulate their behavior in a first-grade classroom. The purpose of this program evaluation was to evaluate if the SEL curriculum helped first-grade students manage and regulate their behavior in the classroom so the teacher would create fewer behavior management plans and spend more time on classroom instruction. The methodology used in this program evaluation was a logic model. This model presented the inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of the program evaluation. The implications of this program evaluation are based on the …

An Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Learning Community For Undergraduate Students, Ciera M. Lorio, Hannah Rudkin, Christina Rauwolf, Luminita Hartle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

There is currently a nationwide shortage of early intervention (EI) providers in the United States, and the number of families in need of EI services is much greater than the available service providers (CEC, 2019; Barton et al., 2012). One way to increase the number of qualified service providers is to offer better and earlier preservice training in EI at the university level. To meet this need, we designed and implemented the Early Intervention Learning Community (EILC), an extracurricular experience that focused on introducing students to EI and interprofessional practice. The primary components of the EILC included self-guided learning modules, …

Alternatively Certified Early Childhood Special Education Teachers' Perspectives On Remaining In The Classroom, Sena Victoria Ann Belgard Dever

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alternative teacher certification programs are used nationwide to address the critical teacher shortage in special education. There is a gap in knowledge regarding the challenges that early childhood special education teachers experience, which make them leave the profession at twice the rate of general education teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore alternatively certified early childhood special education teachers’ perspectives on remaining in their teaching positions and the support they need to continue teaching. The study framework was comprised of Day and Gu’s teacher resilience theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 prekindergarten to …

Bridging Literacy And Esol For Teachers Of Early Learners: Modifications Needed In Professional Development, Emily Howell, Hazel Vega, Lindsey W. Rowe, C. C. Bates, Katie M. Crook, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

Although early education teachers may be highly trained in literacy practices, they need additional support reaching multilingual learners (MLs), for example, by supporting oral language or understanding connections between services identified for students, especially in states such as SC where growth for this student group has been recent and rapid. This study answers the question of professional development (PD) needed for highly trained literacy teachers, focusing on two areas. First, a needs assessment describes the demands of literacy specialists to address the literacy of MLs and connects these need areas to best practice recommendations. Secondly, we address modifications designed based …

Nebline, June/July 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

4-H embryology will crack 50 years of chicks hatching in local classrooms, Vicki Jedlicka

Simple ways to eat more fruits and veggies every day, Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the month: Crunchy veggie wraps

Annual flowers for sunny locations, Mary Jane Frogge

Garden guide: Things to do this month, Mary Jane Frogge

2025 Gro Big Red

It’s time for private well maintenance, Becky Schuerman

Monitoring pastures for improving management and productivity, John Nelson

Why play is your child's most important work, Hayley Jackson Perez

Keep an eye out for some common caterpillars, Kait Chapman

Lancaster County Super Fair

Upcoming babysitting trainings …

Exploring Early Childhood Development Programming In Kenya’S Arid And Semi-Arid Lands, Phyllis Magoma, Amina Abubakar, Martha Kaniala, Barack Aoko, Moses Wesala, Joyce Marangu, Susan Nyamanya, Margaret Kabue, Anil Khamis, Esther Chongwo

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Promoting high-quality early childhood development (ECD) is vital for individuals’ physical and social well-being and yields significant societal returns. However, children in marginalised regions like Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) face significant barriers to accessing quality ECD services.

Aim: This study aimed to document existing ECD services in Kenya’s ASAL areas, including their availability, types and key characteristics; identify gaps in their provision and propose solutions to enhance access and quality. Setting: This qualitative study was conducted in 10 ASAL counties in Kenya.

Methods: Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, 103 key informants, including pre-primary …

Belonging Against The Odds: Exploring Restorative Justice Practices As Pathways To Foster Belonging In New York City Transfer Schools, Miguel Rodriguez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The U.S. education system perpetuates structural inequities that disproportionately affect Black students with the School-to-Prison Pipeline (STPPL) criminalizing them through Zero-Tolerance policies. Transfer schools are often a last resort for students pushed out of traditional schools provide a lens to examine the impact of Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) and Black student representation on belonging. This quantitative dissertation study analyzes secondary data from the NYC Department of Education using multivariate models to explore the relationship between RJPs and sense of belonging (SOB). Model 1 found that discussing feelings and emotions at school (Tier 1 RJP) had the strongest association with SOB …

The Day You Begin: A Case Study Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Early Childhood Classrooms, Kim Shelton

Dissertations

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) has garnered growing attention in early childhood education due to its potential to cultivate inclusive and equitable learning environments for increasingly diverse student populations. This qualitative case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and implement CRP in classrooms with high concentrations of immigrant and culturally diverse students. Additionally, it explores the perceived impact of these practices on instructional effectiveness, classroom climate, and teacher-student interactions.

Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis yielded four central findings: (1) teachers’ understandings of CRP varied considerably, with some demonstrating strong intentionality and others …

Integrating Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness, And Nutrition Education Into Curricula To Promote Self-Regulation And Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Preschoolers, Rachel A. Razza, Lynn Brann

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This article outlines a combined SEL, mindfulness, and nutrition curriculum for preschoolers, improving self-regulation and healthy eating habits.

Historical, Philosophical, And Social Foundations Of Education, Ashraf A. Shady

Open Educational Resources

This course is designed to examine the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of American education. Attention will be paid to comparative analysis of past and contemporary historical, philosophical, and sociological factors that continue to influence and shape education decision-making. Theoretical analysis of major educational ideas and practices in the United States will be explored. 3hr.; 3cr.; 25 hr. field experience.

SEYS 201W is aligned with the core values of the education unit, which promote equity, excellence, and ethics in urban schools and communities. More specifically, the Education Unit is committed to preparing teachers and other school professionals who:

• Build …

Contemporary Echoes From The Progressive Era: A Historical Reclamation Project Of Caroline Pratt And Her Play-Based Pedagogy, Charleen Lynn Kepner

University Honors Theses

Caroline Pratt is the early childhood educator most never heard of. Pratt was a progressive era educator and reformer in 1900s New York City. Pratt developed a play based theory of education. She opened City & Country School in 1914 and her school is still operating utilizing many of the methods Pratt developed. Using first hand field research, archival research, and scholarly articles, I examine how Pratt developed her methods and how modern educators can use them today. The study of Pratt's work and her school reveal a pragmatic approach to learning that educators today can adopt. In conclusion, play …

Skip The Grid: Empowering Navajo Students Through Solar Energy And Education, Daniela S. Gonzalez

Construction Management

The Skip the Grid project by our California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) team was more than just installing solar panels. It was about making a real difference in people’s lives. We focused on helping families in Chinle, Arizona, a community where many households do not have access to electricity, clean water, or fresh food. These are basic needs that support students’ ability to learn and succeed. Without lights to do homework or warm meals to stay healthy, it becomes harder for kids to concentrate or dream about going to college. To help address these challenges, our team installed solar …

Wood In Hand: Open-Ended Wooden Play, Farnaz Dastranj

Masters Theses

This project explores the design of a sustainable, open-ended wooden toy that encourages children’s creativity, collaboration, and physical development. Recognizing the important role of play in learning, the toy aims to connect children to natural materials while supporting skills like eye-hand coordination, flexible thinking, and visual-spatial processing. Free-form linear elements constructed from wood, a renewable, durable, and biodegradable material, the toy invites children to assemble and create various structures using dowels, pegs, and fabric. By offering different connection possibilities and free-form pieces, it fosters imagination, problem-solving, and group play. This project also addresses sustainability by focusing on material longevity, reusability, …

Curiouser And Curiouser: Cultivating A Love Of Learning Within Elementary-Aged Children Through An Activity-Based Curiosity Program, Rayne Rickards

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This synthesis paper explores how a curiosity-centered educational design can promote lifelong learning (LLL) in elementary-aged children by actively engaging caregivers as co-learners. Grounded in the author’s personal and professional experience, the project responds to the underutilization of natural curiosity in traditional education. Drawing from metacognition, Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), and Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, the author develops an activity-based curiosity program that integrates caregiver involvement into reflective, autonomy-supportive learning experiences. The program design applies principles such as collaboration, relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and metacognitive scaffolding, all explored through coursework in the Critical and …

Playful Parenting, Shloka Kartikeyan

Masters Theses

“What is the next big milestone for my child, and how can I be ready for it?”

That is the question in every parents' mind as they watch their child grow. The developmental milestones being the source of guidance and cause of worry for parents.

We are in an overwhelming era of options - the global toy market was valued at around $114.4 billion in 2024 as reported by Global News Wire* - that’s the size of options in toys alone for parents to choose from. With all these products geared towards encouraging child development, parents are often left to …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Independent Play As Part Of Their Daily Schedule, Christina L. Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that independent child-led play is essential to children’s cognitive and social development. The problem that was the focus of this study was that many preschool teachers do not include independent play in their daily schedules. Guided by Gray’s theory of play, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore preschool teachers’ perspectives regarding independent play as part of their daily schedule and the challenges they encounter or anticipate in incorporating it. A basic qualitative design with interviews guided data collection with 10 lead preschool teachers who worked with children ages 3 to 5 in independently funded preschools …

A Broken Glass And Its Pieces: The Psychological Impact On Children In Gaza, Qamar Bazar

Publications and Research

This review article is on the psychological effects of ongoing violence on children living in Gaza through a trauma-informed approach to bring together research from academic articles, clinical studies, and journalistic reports published between 2023 and 2025. Based on the sources selected, their focus is on children’s mental health and whether they came from trusted and credible platforms. Rather than just summarizing the research, the paper uses relevant sources to understand how distress shows up in children with mental health struggles such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative amnesia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Questions like how they are related to …

"That's Not Happening To My Kid:" Six Chicago Public Schools' Families Speak Out, Julie Parson Nesbitt

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to understand the experiences of six diverse families when Chicago Public Schools (CPS) failed to meet their children’s educational needs. The children attended grades k-8 in four Chicago neighborhoods. Nine family members from three generations were interviewed. They related school responses to their children’s behavior, and emphasized school failures and refusal to communicate with them and to provide and implement IEP and 504 Plans for their children. In response, family members advocated within and outside of CPS, searched for resources, used insider knowledge, bonded with other parents, and made major life changes. …

Utilizing Infographics To Enhance Some Continuous Learning Skills For The Educator To Keep Pace With Labor Market Developments Using Electronic Resources, Samah A. Marzouk Prof.

International Journal for Research in Education

The research aimed to identify the Effectiveness of employing infographics to develop some continuous learning skills among female student teachers. The sample consisted of (60) second-year students at the Faculty of Early Childhood Education, divided into two groups: an experimental group (30) and a control group (30). The research followed the experimental method, and the researcher used a scale to measure continuous learning skills using electronic resources for the student teachers, along with a training program that employed infographics to develop continuous learning skills. The application lasted for (two months).

The results revealed that there were statistically significant differences between …

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 …