ABSTRACT This study aimed to discover the effect of physical education on the emotional and mental development of pre-schoolers. The study involved 355 pre-schoolers (162 males and 158 females) aged 4 (N = 215) and 5 (N = 150) years (mean age = 4.36, SD = 0.76) who attend public preschool institutions in Moscow, Russia. All respondents were divided into two groups. In the experimental group, physical

ABSTRACT This article presents an exploratory study of educational quality in Bulgarian kindergartens at a time the educational system undergoes significant transformations in aligning with the principles shared by the majority of European countries. The focus is on the structural and process characteristics of quality, as measured by ECERS-3 on a moderately representative sample of classrooms (N = 40)

ABSTRACT Studies about parents’ expectations of their children’s achievements in primary and secondary school often conclude that such expectations have an impact on academic achievements. This poses two quandaries for early childhood education (ECE): there is minimal research focusing on parents’ expectations concerning achievements of young children; if parental expectations in ECE are also linked

ABSTRACT Child's understanding and intentions are not always easy to read in drawings. This is particularly evident in the type of drawings we refer to as ‘analytical drawings’. In order to understand analytical drawings made by preschool children, it is important to have a dialogue with the young authors. In our study, we examined the ability of students of pedagogy study programmes to interpret an

ABSTRACT Inclusive kindergarten provision remains relatively rare in Indonesia. This article indicates factors that contribute to this situation (stigmatisation, lack of resources and training) and reports on an approach to begin to address it. Sign Supported Big Books were evaluated in mainstream kindergartens (i.e. classes without children with special educational needs) as a way of enhancing their

ABSTRACT We report on our analysis of talk during an assessment task where we asked children living in northern Canadian communities to draw and write about activities they share with family and friends in their daily lives. We introduce a language as context approach to assessing young children’s (ages 4–6 years) literacy and sociocultural knowledge, defining context as understandings of the demands

ABSTRACT This case study of a US suburban Kindergarten illustrates the challenges and opportunities posed by the shifting context of Kindergarten toward a narrowed academic focus aligned to state goals. In this neoliberal policy context, teachers experienced difficult emotions as they supported children's and families’ cultural and linguistic talents and skills. Emotional refuges and emotives are key

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explores how play informs the making process in a media arts environment. Drawing on Dewey’s ([1938]1998. Education and Experience: The 60th Anniversary Edition. Indianapolis: Kappa Delta Pi) concepts of experience, purpose, and freedom, we explore how play and making are employed in an out-of-school media arts environment. The purpose of this study is to examine one

ABSTRACT Workplace-based experiences are considered centrally relevant in the professional preparation of prospective teachers. In spite of this, few studies have focused on the assessment of workplace-based learning (WBL) in early childhood education (ECE). This study aims to examine pathways of professional learning of students attending an ECE professional Master programme in Portugal, based on

ABSTRACT The association between five indicators of inequality (geo-ethnicity, height-for-age, socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and preschool participation) and child development was examined among 1498 3- to 5-year olds from the Khmer and Phnong ethnic groups in Cambodia. Children were directly assessed using the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS), and caregivers provided

ABSTRACT This study investigates preschool student teachers’ views on how early writing should be supported in preschool. The sample consists of 66 preschool student teachers from Finland, Norway, and Sweden, who participated in the study by responding to open-ended questions on a written questionnaire. Results show that the respondents’ answers were underpinned by holistic views on children’s learning;

ABSTRACT This research focuses on using digital photography to record observations of young children. The observations discussed are young children engaging with music as a communicative language. Digital media has become an inexpensive method to collect research data to communicate children’s activities in early learning settings. Like all technologies, there is a question of efficacy. Using our own

ABSTRACT This article aims to identify the correlation between early childhood teachers’ ability to foster creativity through free play. A screening model is used in the study. The participants comprised 166 teachers of the foundation (early childhood) phase. The ‘Teacher Roles in Free Play Scale’ and the ‘Creativity Fostering Teacher Index Scale’ (CFTIndex) were used during data collection. Thus,

ABSTRACT The development of early numeracy skills in preschoolers is an important predictor of future academic performance. A multiplicity of tasks or tests measure early numeracy skills in the English-language. Nevertheless, no tools are currently in French for evaluating and monitoring the development of young children’s early numeracy skills. The present study addressed this situation by creating

ABSTRACT Rich play enhances the child’s engagement during play, and this improves the potential for learning. This study examines the place of sensory materials focused on visual and tactile stimuli (sensopathic material) during guided play to improve learning in the reception year. Interviews with teachers and observation of the children while playing with sensopathic material were used to generate

ABSTRACT This study examined implementation of a newly developed shared book reading intervention program, to boost infants’ early skills and provide a solid foundation for continued language learning. A randomised control study was conducted to elevate the effects of Shared Book Reading Intervention with 20 parents (n = 10 experiment, n = 10 control) and their infants/toddlers aged 8–16 months. The

ABSTRACT This paper presents a unique perspective into challenges faced by kindergarten teachers in engaging children in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education in Vietnam. It reports on teachers’ perspectives of an adaptation of immersive learning experiences (ILE), to develop understanding of pedagogical approaches to STEAM education in real-world contexts. The study

ABSTRACT This doctoral research addressed the dearth of research focussed on childminding in Ireland, despite its significant role in national childcare provision. One overarching aim was to explore childminders’ pedagogy. The research was conducted within the theoretical framework of Ecocultural Theory (ECT) against the backdrop of Irish Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policy on the eve

(2021). Informal early childhood education: the influences of parents and home on young children's learning. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 117-123.

ABSTRACT The quality of early care and education affects a wide range of children’s experiences and developmental outcomes. Family Child Care (FCC) is no exception, and attention to increasing the quality of Family Child Care is needed. The purpose of the current study was to examine an experimental case of intensive Professional Development (PD) in FCC programmes focusing on domain-specific quality

(2021). ERA Abstracts. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 225-227.

ABSTRACT In the context of an ongoing policy crisis in relation to the qualifications of the early childhood workforce in England, this paper first rehearses the context and long overdue need for reform before presenting a framework for career structure and professional early childhood education qualifications in England. This framework is designed to address difficulties of recruitment, retention

ABSTRACT This article compares the institutional bereavements response systems available in Danish and Norwegian daycare institutions when encountering critical illness or death among attached families. Both countries' structured responses are developed around bereavement response plans that highlights the actions, which should be taken by institution staff when families and children experience challenging

ABSTRACT We present the main findings of a case study focusing on the digital literacy practices of a Portuguese early childhood teacher known for her innovative pedagogical methods. Data was collected through an in-depth interview centred on the teacher’s perceptions about her digital literacy practices and on the professional development underpinning such practices. The thematic content analysis

ABSTRACT Reliable information regarding interaction quality in preschools is essential because children’s preschool experiences predict educational success. The Individualized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (inCLASS) is a new tool to assess interaction quality developed in the United States. Research on the validation of the factorial structure of the inCLASS—with the factors teacher interactions

ABSTRACT Positive psychology interventions, such as the application of character strengths, can improve job performance and satisfaction across industries, but little of this research has been applied to the early childhood education profession. A qualitative study of in-service early childhood educators (n = 17) completing a character strength application training during professional development was

ABSTRACT In this study we investigated pre-service early childhood teachers’ (referred to as student teachers) beliefs that might influence their intention to use inquiry-based learning methods that have been taught on an inquiry-based science course. During this course, the student teachers (N = 17) participated in a number of classroom experiments concerning phenomena that are part of the curriculum

ABSTRACT In Norway’s ‘Framework Plan for kindergartens’ digital tools are to be implemented for learning, play and creativity. Implicitly the concept of digital tools, or ICTs, tend to be tablets, computers, and interactive whiteboards, smartphones are as such not taken into account. However, we find that the smartphone is particularly interesting because it differs from the other types of ICTs used

ABSTRACT Despite huge investments in interventions designed to support oral language skills in early childhood and beyond, many of the interventions fail to identify impacts on children’s language learning. Programmes may have limited impact because they do not sufficiently succeed in supporting teachers’ instructional talk, and thus, more efficiently promote children’s language learning. The present

ABSTRACT This paper brings together two studies, conducted independently in two different countries, Turkey and Australia, both focusing on supporting early years teachers to research and strengthen their own practice in relation to play-based pedagogies. It reports on the professional learning programmes that were implemented to improve understanding about play and young children’s learning, leading

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, early childhood education (ECE) has come to the top of the political agenda in New Zealand and internationally. The interest of governments and policy-makers in ECE has been driven by the thinking that an ‘investment’ in ECE is a key for a country's future social and economic development (OECD 2007, “Policy Brief: Lifelong Learning and Human Capital.” OECD. http://www

ABSTRACT Friendship is of great concern to young children (Unicef 2011. The State of the World's Children. New York: United Nations Children's Fund). Research also suggests the positive outcomes friendships have on children's development, learning and well-being (Daniels, Tina, Danielle Quigley, Lisa Menard, and Linda Spence. 2010. “My Best Friend Always Did and Still Does Betray Me Constantly: Examining

ABSTRACT With science and digitalisation emphasised further in the new Swedish preschool curriculum, there is a need to clarify teachers’ role in educating children in and about these areas. With research pointing out the importance of a conscious language use in STEM teaching, we here focus on words used by teachers and children during inquiry-based STEM activities in five different preschools. Bers’

ABSTRACT Early care and education (ECE) settings are influential in shaping children’s early experiences. Informed by the Job Demands-Resources model, this study had two aims. First, we examined how ECE teachers’ physical (i.e. muscular skeletal strain and infectious disease experience) and psychological (i.e. depression and job dissatisfaction) job strain was associated with the quality of their interactions

(2021). Literacy is inadequate: young children need literacies. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 1-5.

(2021). ERA Abstracts. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 114-116.

(2020). In a Time of COVID-19 and Beyond, the World needs Early Childhood Educators. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 299-302.

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the perceptions early childhood teachers hold about digital technologies, children and childhood and how their perceptions influence their pedagogical decision-making. Symbolic interactionism was the theoretical lens used to give insights and meanings to the early childhood teachers views, experiences and ascribed meanings. The findings revealed that early childhood teachers

(2020). ERA Abstracts. International Journal of Early Years Education: Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 413-416.

ABSTRACT Curriculum policy and enactment in early childhood education is a political phenomenon that plays out in particular cultural contexts. Comparative lenses to curriculum articulate locally constructed and implicit knowledge to external audiences. In doing so, global commonalities and tensions may become explicit. This paper interrogates curricular documents in Greece and New Zealand using selected

ABSTRACT Research indicates that mathematical understanding before formal schooling influences later attainment. This study investigated the mathematical activities of preschool-aged children in Japan, a neglected topic despite the high mathematical attainment of Japanese children. Preschool activities were investigated using surveys, observations, and staff interviews; activities at home and use of

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored Caribbean early childhood teachers’ views of children’s conflict in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. It is framed by the ‘new’ sociology of childhood which values children’s agency, and the teachers’ belief about conflict management. Forty-three early childhood teachers responded to an online questionnaire about conflict and intervention strategies. Findings

ABSTRACT This paper presents perspectives from early childhood practitioners of pre-school children’s (n = 100) social and emotional competencies upon entering pre-school and again after term three of the pre-school year. This research reports findings from five pre-school settings within rural and urban locations. A quantitative approach is used with pre-school practitioners completing the Strengths

ABSTRACT This paper considers the pedagogical collaborations between early childhood teachers in kindergarten (4 years) and the first year of school (5 years) in one Australian State. We report on a year-long project that brought these early childhood teachers together as we asked them to design STEM learning ecologies that would not only support new learning, but also provide a context for a meaningful

ABSTRACT Children's food preferences are strongly associated with their consumption patterns. Children tend to choose foods with which they are familiar. It is proposed that the earlier and broader the experience with food, the healthier the child's or adult´s diet. In a focus group we developed a toolkit consisting of a training course for kindergarten staff, a booklet with nutrition and sensory-based

ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating the teachers’ perceptions in Qatar regarding employing assistive technologies in teaching children with disabilities in early intervention programmes. A descriptive method (survey) was used to answer the research questions. The study sample consisted of 183 female teachers from Qatar. These participants all worked in early intervention programmes in both public

ABSTRACT This study examines children’s touch conduct in peer-group interaction in a Swedish preschool. Through a detailed analysis of 100 video-recorded touch episodes from everyday preschool activities, the study proposes an initial description of touch functions in children’s peer groups. The results suggest that touch was primarily used to control other children and to show affection. Both affectionate

ABSTRACT The preliminary study examined teacher and students’ translanguaging practices in a preschool in Sarawak, Malaysia. Analysis of audio-recorded interactions of 15 students with their teachers in two preschool classrooms (1 English, 1 Malay) found 291 instances of teacher talk functions (English, 87; Malay, 204) and 222 instances of student talk functions (English, 71; Malay, 151). As the teachers

ABSTRACT This study explored nursery practitioners ‘slowed down’ documentary photography in everyday moments. The enquiry draws on Documentary Photography, Visual Sociology and Early Childhood and entails a novel application of the theoretical concept of ‘presence’ (Senge, P., C. O. Scharmer, J. Jaworski, and B. S. Flowers. 2008. Presence: Exploring Profound Change in People, Organizations and Society

ABSTRACT This paper aims to explore the impacts of a Learn to Play programme in specialist schools for children with multiple developmental issues. Specialist schools are schools dedicated to children with IQs below 70 and who may also have other developmental issues. The Learn to Play programme focusses on facilitating children’s enjoyment and ability to self-initiate pretend play. Staff views were

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the ways in which a particular digital technology, the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB), mediates preschool teachers’ teaching. Over five months in 2017 and early spring 2018, five preschool teachers and 22 children aged 4–6 were video observed. By identifying aspects of IWB as a mediational means, the findings of the study have shed light on the relationship between

ABSTRACT Research indicates that the early years are a pivotal time for developing foundational mathematical knowledge, and that early experiences with mathematics have a lasting impact on later numeracy skills and academic achievement. However, the importance of early mathematical thinking and learning is often undervalued or overlooked in early childhood education and care contexts. This paper presents

ABSTRACT The paper reports on a case study addressing the question of how young children think about the living/non-living distinction before and after their engagement in a ‘Philosophy for Children’-inspired learning environment. The aim of the learning environment was to help children come up with a better identification of living and non-living things by grasping certain biological functions as

ABSTRACT Research into pedagogical approaches used in early years’ nature education, more specifically European and UK forest schools, remains according to Leather, ‘undertheorised.’ In a similar situation in Australia, the bush kindergarten programmes (referred to as ‘bush kinders’), have had limited research attention. Influenced by European and UK forest school approaches, bush kinders are a recent

ABSTRACT This comparative study of everyday life in Norwegian and French preschools explores how ‘risk’ related to children’s body practices is understood, practised and negotiated by teachers and how this may regulate educational practices in a short- and long-term perspective. Studying educational institutions in two different societies illuminates institutional constraints, normative principles

ABSTRACT It has become increasingly clear that the early use of decomposition for addition is associated with later mathematical achievement. This study examined how younger children execute a base-10 decomposition strategy to solve complex arithmetic (e.g. two-digit addition). 24 addition problems in two modalities (WA: Written Arithmetic; OA: Oral Arithmetic) with sums less than 100 were administered

ABSTRACT The existing literature on early childhood education (ECE) quality is predominantly from the US or other developed countries. In low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), systematic research on ECE quality, however, is very limited. In the present study, we explore variation in structural and process indicators of ECE quality in two Eastern European LMICs, Kosovo and Ukraine, using the Classroom

ABSTRACT There is little research to show how early childhood educators perceive risk-taking and whether, in the pursuit of high quality early childhood education, educators might take risks in their professional practice. We conducted a qualitative case study to explore early childhood educators’ views on, and engagement with, risk-taking in professional practice. Through thematic analysis of interviews

ABSTRACT This study investigates how and to what extent critical literacy activities in an out-of-school context serves as a space for bilingual immigrant children in the United States to solve their conflicts and challenges in life. Using the contextual format of a multicultural book club and a critical dialogue, the qualitative case study discusses the children's experiences with critical literacy

ABSTRACT This systematic review analyses the research results of low-achieving grade K-3 children’s numeracy competencies by investigating the research approaches used, the definitions of low achievers and the numeracy competencies reported. 18 articles, identified in ERIC, PsycINFO and Web of Science, were selected for further analysis. The results show that the main part of the studies used a fixed-strategy