In this year-long qualitative study we found that most early childhood student teachers involved children with special needs in project work and realized its benefits. The factors that promoted children's involvement were familiarity and interest in the topic, comfort with the size and composition of the small group, and the use of open-ended,…

With the development of advanced degrees in early childhood education and the accompanying professional standards (National Association for Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2002; National Board for Professional Teacher Standards [NBPTS], 2001, advanced early childhood programs are called to reach beyond the university classroom walls into the…

This article investigates how a Midwestern early childhood teacher's practice and her views of her practice are culturally constrained. The research is framed by a cultural psychology and draws on an ethnographic and interpretive biographic study of Mary, an experienced first-grade teacher. We explore Mary's practice through four central themes:…

The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of "hansei" (introspection) among teachers, parents, and other relatives of Japanese kindergarteners. The data came from essays written by Japanese adults. The data analysis revealed that the concept of "hansei" encompassed self-evaluation, improvement, and morality. The implications for…

The purpose of this study was to explore how non-teaching demands are affecting the teaching/research/service dynamic in the tenure process of early childhood teacher educators. Fifty-seven NAECTE members responded to a 24-item survey exploring issues and current initiatives that support or impede scholarship. Findings revealed that early…

Laboratory schools play an important role in furthering the study of child development and education. Budget cutbacks at universities have threatened the existence of many lab schools, and a growing number are expanding to full-day programming to develop more consistent sources of funding. As lab schools evolve we must consider how they can best…

This qualitative study looked at how early childhood teachers talk about and interact with the most powerful children in their classrooms--the student leaders. Relying primarily on interviews with six teachers in early childhood classrooms (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) within a University-affiliated center, this paper reconsidered…

The present study investigated specific teacher factors that potentially influence teacher-child relationships with preschool-age children. One demographic questionnaire and three rating scales were used to survey 152 head teachers of 3-6-year-old children in community-based childcare and preschool centers in one mid-western state. There were 46…

Data comparing the effects of traditional lectures and instruction paired with video anchors on test scores of general education and special education preservice teachers are presented. The sample in both the experimental and control groups included a mixture of preservice teachers including those beginning a general education early childhood…

This national study used descriptive quantitative methods to examine and describe the perceptions and concerns of individuals involved in the process of change through the recasting and the reconceptualization of early childhood education through the Reggio Emilia Approach. The study's participants were faculty, laboratory school staff and…

The study examined the integration of science and mathematics methods courses and preservice teachers' understanding of constructivism. The participants were 50 preservice teachers who were enrolled in early childhood education mathematics and science methods courses, and an early childhood practicum. The two methods courses were integrated and…

This study examined correlations between teachers' attitudes toward mathematics/teaching mathematics and the practice of developmentally appropriate mathematics. This study tested two independent variables: (1) kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward mathematics; and (2) kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward teaching mathematics; and their…

The purpose of the study was to examine the engagement of preservice teachers in the kind of authentic experiences that provided the modeling needed to make high-quality instruction in mathematics a reality for young children. Inasmuch as these preservice teachers had not yet received any formal methods classes in mathematics, the authors…

A university child development/early childhood education professor renews her relationship with young children and with current public school teaching by spending 5 weeks in kindergarten. This article describes some highlights of her experience: the children's daily journal writing, an in-class and take-home math activity, and teaching the…

Converging research has demonstrated the importance of early literacy intervention to prevent reading disabilities. However, no one program can meet the needs of all children. One proposed revision of current special education identification procedures is known as the response-to-intervention (RTI) model. RTI will require that early childhood…