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Descriptors:
Instructional Materials; Kindergarten; Ethnography; Foreign Countries; Educational Change; Early Childhood Education; Local Government; Young Children; Qualitative Research; Rural Areas; Educational History; Educational Policy; Mentors; Faculty Development; Social Change; Economic Change; Interviews; Teacher Attitudes; Administrator Attitudes

Abstract:
By far, literature regarding Chinese early childhood education and care (ECEC) has primarily focused on Youeryuan in urban settings. Youeryuan is the everyday Chinese term used for ECEC programs serving children ages three to six, which does include the U.S. version of the kindergarten year. This paper will refer to Youeryuan rather than the Western definitions of preschool or kindergarten so as to maintain authenticity. Furthermore, this paper will focus on the history and development of rural Youeryuan based on a qualitative study of the government-owned, privately operated Youeryuan that represent the current reform initiatives in early childhood in China. Through teacher and administrator interviews, onsite observations using ECERS-R, and school documents, the lead author immersed herself in rural Youeryuan as part of a larger ethnographic study in China in the midst of economic and educational transformations. The findings of this study revealed themes related to increased government investment, improved school policies, the lack of instructional materials, curriculum and instruction issues, local government support for professional development, administrative support for instruction, and the need for mentoring for teachers. (Contains 1 table.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Literacy; Books; Clubs; Student Reaction; Literacy Education; Reading Comprehension; Childrens Literature; Elementary School Students; Elementary School Teachers; Reading; Reading Instruction; Grade 2; Grade 3; Early Childhood Education; Emergent Literacy; Writing Instruction; Childrens Writing

Abstract:
This article positions a view of student responses with relation to current literacy expectations. Student responses to a single book, "The Egypt Game," are explored. The responses are analysed from a group and individual student perspectives. The responses demonstrate the complex understandings that young students created about this book. Connections to current classroom practices are explored. (Contains 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Child Care; Play; Intervention; Preschool Children; Compliance (Psychology); Behavior Modification; Preschool Teachers; Early Childhood Education; Outcomes of Treatment

Abstract:
The current study evaluated the effects of a teacher-conducted play intervention on preschool-aged children's compliance in child care settings. Study participants included 8 children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years and 5 early childhood education teachers within 5 classrooms across 5 child care centers. A combination ABAB and multiple baseline design was used to demonstrate the effects of the play intervention. Pretreatment observations revealed varying degrees of child compliance difficulties. The play intervention was associated with improved rates of compliance for each participant child. The intervention is discussed with regard to its potential as a proactive, nonintrusive strategy for improving young children's classroom compliance. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Academic Achievement; Mathematics Achievement; Geometry; Experimental Groups; Early Childhood Education; Grade 1; Elementary School Students; Gifted; Measurement; Mathematical Concepts; Statistical Analysis; Comparative Analysis; Measures (Individuals)

Abstract:
The goal of Project M2 was to develop and field-test challenging geometry and measurement units for K-2 students. The units were developed using recommendations from gifted, mathematics, and early childhood education. This article reports on achievement results for students in Grade 1 at 12 diverse sites in four states using the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) mathematics concepts subtest and an open-response assessment. Using HLM, as expected there were no statistical differences between the experimental (n = 186) and comparison (n = 174) groups on the ITBS (91% of the items focused on number). Statistically significant differences (p less than 0.001) favoring the experimental group were found on the open-response assessment with a large effect size (d = 1.88). Thus the experimental group exhibited a deeper understanding of geometry and measurement concepts on the open-response assessment while performing as well on a traditional measure that covered all Grade 1 mathematics. (Contains 7 tables and 4 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Stakeholders; Elementary Education; Foreign Countries; Principals; Case Studies; Early Childhood Education; Young Children; Economically Disadvantaged; Grade 1; Educational Policy; Interviews; Teacher Attitudes; Administrator Attitudes; Parent Attitudes; School Readiness; Educational Quality; Access to Education; Equal Education; Family Environment

Abstract:
In South Africa, the development of the 2001 White Paper No. 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD) has been an instrumental policy in the development of changes to assist in preparing children for formal schooling, along with a strong focus on early childhood education. However the extent to which these are being enacted is relatively unknown. This study investigated understandings and practices of stakeholders involved in the transition of children moving from preschool or home into primary school in South Africa. A case study approach was adopted focusing on two schools situated in economically disadvantaged provinces of South Africa. School principals and teachers were interviewed to determine their knowledge of, and relationships with preschools, and practices around school transition. Grade 1 teachers were also asked about the factors influencing children's transition to school. Parents were asked about their views of transition and how their children were supported as they started school. Taking note of the children's own voices was imperative in determining how they experienced transition to school. While case study findings cannot be generalised, the results suggest that much needs to be done to increase awareness of early childhood education and for the government to move beyond universal accessibility to ensuring the quality of provision at the local level. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Adult Education; Conferences (Gatherings); Lifelong Learning; Child Caregivers; Child Care; Early Childhood Education; Competence; Job Skills; Case Studies; Genealogy; Global Approach; Commercialization; Foreign Countries

Abstract:
We provide a historical (genealogical) study of the changes in discourses on adult education since the famous UNESCO conference in Montreal, to present day texts of the European Union on lifelong learning. We also analyse how these changing global discourses on lifelong learning have travelled--through the hegemony of English language--to local situations, such as in Flanders. In the case of Flanders, they have paradoxically contributed to a significant counter-professionalisation of the early years workforce. This genealogical case study also shows how research, policy and practice are closely intertwined in their contribution to this paradox. The study shows that genealogical approaches are useful to show both how international influences need to be considered in a globalised world, but also how specific local "hybridisations" of these discourses are constructed. (Contains 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Parent Child Relationship; Foreign Countries; Educational Needs; Facilitators (Individuals); Context Effect; Preschool Teachers; Preschool Children; Parents; Semi Structured Interviews; Focus Groups; Economically Disadvantaged; Social Support Groups; Early Childhood Education; Program Effectiveness

Abstract:
Supported playgroups are a service model used widely in Australia with the dual focus of providing stimulating early childhood environments for children and supportive environments for parents. This article describes research findings from a recent doctoral study that explored three supported playgroups in western Sydney. In particular it focuses on the multi-dimensional and complex facilitation role in these groups. It shows how the creation of inclusive and engaging playgroup environments was inextricably tied to eight categories of support that a diverse range of parents experienced. The research findings demonstrate how effective facilitation in these groups led to parents experiencing increased emotional support, decreased feelings of isolation and inequality and increased confidence in parenting. It also draws attention to the training needs of early childhood professionals who undertake the complex role of facilitation in groups that work with parents and children together. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Arithmetic; Numeracy; Mathematics Skills; Training Methods; Preschool Children; Factor Structure; Early Childhood Education; Numbers; Number Concepts; Computation; Mathematics; Factor Analysis; Scores; Comparative Analysis; Correlation; Intervention

Abstract:
Validating the structure of informal numeracy skills is critical to understanding the developmental trajectories of mathematics skills at early ages; however, little research has been devoted to construct evaluation of the Numbering, Relations, and Arithmetic Operations domains. This study was designed to address this knowledge gap by examining the structure of these three numeracy skill domains and examining the relations among these domains. Three hundred ninety-three children participated in the study (51.7% girls, 55.7% White, 33.8% African American, and 10.5% other). Results indicated that the relations among the informal numeracy skills were best explained by a three-factor model that included Numbering, Relations, and Arithmetic Operations factors, and this factor structure was the same in both younger and older preschool children. (Contains 9 tables, 1 figure, and 5 notes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Special Education; Depression (Psychology); Developmental Disabilities; Burnout; Preschool Teachers; Workshops; Young Children; Special Education Teachers; Self Efficacy; Early Childhood Education; Teacher Burnout; Anxiety; Faculty Mobility; Pilot Projects; Preschool Education; Evaluation; Intervention; Evidence; Feedback (Response)

Abstract:
High stress and burnout are common for early childhood special educators, contributing to high rates of attrition, diminished educational effectiveness, and high turnover. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of problems. Using a randomized wait-list control design, this pilot study evaluated whether ACT workshops delivered to preschool teachers who serve children with developmental disabilities would improve stress-related problems of teachers (i.e., stress, depression, and burnout) and increase collegial support. At pretest, measures of "experiential avoidance" (EA) and "mindful awareness" (MA) showed significant relationships to reports of depression, stress, and burnout. The intervention reduced staff members' EA, increased teachers' MA and "valued living" (VL), and improved teachers' sense of efficacy. This suggests that ACT workshops can help influence factors affecting depression, stress, and burnout in an early childhood special education setting. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Parents; Teaching Methods; Content Analysis; Early Intervention; Semi Structured Interviews; Parent Attitudes; Expectation; Educational Resources; Change Strategies; Family Programs; Program Descriptions; Participation; Community Programs; Home Programs; Early Childhood Education

Abstract:
The authors examined the extent to which parent expectations, perceptions about resource availability and supports, and strategies used to promote participation in home and community activities varied by setting and activity type. Sixteen 90-min semistructured interviews were completed with families receiving Part C early intervention services in three states. Interviews were analyzed in descriptive and interpretive phases using content analysis to identify patterns across cases and logical analysis to cross-classify data and identify patterns by setting and activity type. Parents described how often and how much their children participated but had different ways of describing their expectations depending on the activity setting and/or its purpose. Parent-reported strategies to promote participation provided a direct way of understanding how environments were perceived to impact participation. Implications for tailoring interventions to address the needs of immigrant and nonimmigrant families receiving Part C services are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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