Children In Early Childhood Education Research Articles

Effect of the ActivaMotricidad Program on Improvements in Executive Functions and Interpersonal Relationships in Early Childhood Education

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of a comprehensive physical exercise program with cognitive involvement during the school day on the executive functions and interpersonal skills of 5- and 6-year-old children. Methods: A total of 68 children participated in a 3-week pre–post intervention. Results: The results showed significant improvements in executive functions and interpersonal skills under the experimental conditions compared to the control group. These positive effects were observed to persist after a three-week follow-up. Conclusions: Therefore, the ActivaMotricidad program, which focuses on developing fundamental motor skills through cognitive, cooperative, and coordinative challenges, can serve as a useful and low-cost tool to achieve the objectives of comprehensive development and sustainability for children in early childhood education.

Book Review of Supporting Korean American Children in Early Childhood Education: Perspectives from Mother-Educators

Book Review of <i>Supporting Korean American Children in Early Childhood Education: Perspectives from Mother-Educators</i>

Effectiveness of a Bullying Intervention (Be-Prox) in Norwegian Early Childhood and Education Care Centers: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

A new and growing body of research has studied bullying among children in early childhood education and care centers (ECECs). The Bernese Program (Be-Prox) is designed to systematically prevent and handle bullying between children in Swiss ECECs. However, the effectiveness of the Be-Prox intervention has not yet been explored in a Norwegian ECEC setting. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Be-Prox in preventing and handling bullying among peers in Norwegian ECECs. ECECs from 2 Norwegian municipalities were invited to participate in a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Be-Prox intervention on peer bullying in Norwegian ECECs. After baseline measures were taken, project ECECs were randomized to either an intervention or a control arm. The Be-Prox intervention was introduced to ECECs in the intervention arm through 6 modules over a 9-month period immediately after the randomization. ECECs in the control arm participated in the data collection and were offered the Be-Prox intervention the following year. The primary outcome of the effect evaluation is the mean sum of negative behavior between peers after the Be-Prox training is completed in the intervention arm. Secondary outcomes include child bystander behavior, teacher self-efficacy, and ECEC's authoritative climate. An extensive implementation and process evaluation, as well as cost-effectiveness analyses, will be conducted alongside the RCT. Baseline data collection was conducted in September 2023, and the postintervention data collection started in May 2024. At baseline, we collected data on 708 children and 413 personnel from 38 project ECECs in the 2 Norwegian municipalities. The results from the study will be available in late 2024 at the earliest. The proposed project includes a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of Be-Prox in Norwegian ECECs directly targeting the prevention and handling of bullying, including implementation and cost-effectiveness evaluations. The results from the project have the potential to fill in identified knowledge gaps in the understanding of negative behavior and bullying between peers in ECECs, and how these may be prevented. If proven efficient, our ambition is to offer Be-Prox to Norwegian ECECs as an evidence-based practice to prevent and handle bullying among preschool children. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06040437; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06040437. DERR1-10.2196/60626.

Teachers’ Views on the Importance of Critical Thinking Skills in Early Childhood Education in Tanzania

In the 21st century, critical thinking skills are essential for children in early childhood education, to help them in their learning and life in general. To cultivate and promote these skills in early childhood education, children need the support and guidance of their teachers. It is therefore imperitive to understand teachers’ views on the importance of critical thinking skills in early childhood education. The aim of this study is to address this question and explore teachers’ views on the importance of critical thinking skills in early childhood education in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methodology. This study employed a qualitative research approach with a phenomenography research design. The total sample of the study was five informants, selected through purposive sampling technique. The study used in-depth interviews with pre-primary schoolteachers to elicit data on their views towards the importance of critical thinking skills in early childhood education in the Kongwa District of the Dodoma region. After the data collection process, the analysis was done using the Miles and Huberman Model (2014). The findings demonstrate that critical thinking skills are important in early childhood education: they enhance children’s’ problem-solving abilities, their creativity and the foundations of learning; they foster intellectual development among children and they enhance their socialisation and language development. In conclusion, this study contributes to understanding teachers' views on the importance of critical thinking skills in early childhood education in Tanzania, and in other areas around the world. Conclusion. Based on the importance of critical thinking skills in early childhood education, this study recommends the need to incorporate critical thinking skills into the core curriculum, across several subject areas in early childhood education by including activities that encourage and motivate children to think critically.

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Promote Parent-Teacher Relationships in Early Care and Education: Exploring the Social Process Between Parents and Teachers

Parent-teacher relationships are known to promote positive outcomes for young children in early childhood education; however, parents and teachers face barriers to forming quality relationships. To better understand how to support parents and teachers in forming quality relationships, the present systematic review sought to identify existing interventions designed to promote quality parent-teacher relationships in early childhood education. Systematic search and data extraction identified peer-reviewed manuscripts describing interventions that included components to increase parent-teacher relationships in early childhood education. Each included manuscript was evaluated to answer the following questions: (1) how is the social process between parents and teachers conceptualized?, (2) what strategies were used to improve this social process?, and (3) what outcomes are associated with improving this social process ? Nine out of the 1,992 nonduplicate screened manuscripts met inclusion criteria. Results indicate a small body of research focused solely on interventions designed to improve parent-teacher relationships. Included interventions were limited in their conceptualization of the social process between parents and teachers, strategies to improve it, and associated outcomes assessed. Additional research is needed to understand low-cost and highly feasible interventions that promote quality parent-teacher relationships in early childhood education.

APLICAÇÃO DA ANÁLISE DA INTELIGÊNCIA EMOCIONAL NA APRENDIZAGEM INFANTIL

The article aims to demonstrate the relevance of emotional intelligence in learning and make some considerations about intelligence and emotions, as a possibility of improving the quality of the teaching and learning process, always highlighting that the current school should not be based only on intellectual development, and Yes, also get involved in your emotional development as a way of optimizing and educating emotions. The objective of this article is to make some statements about intelligence and emotions, as one of the methods of improving the quality of learning development in children in early childhood education. It reports on what “Emotional Intelligence” is, what its connection with emotions is – how important this is within the family, at school and how the teacher can contribute to this process. How can this emotional literacy be achieved; what the possible results will be in practice; what challenging points we will have for building emotional intelligence and what this can entail in children's lives, and how they will become in adulthood having this emotional balance combined with cognition.

SOCIOLOGY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

This article is due to bibliographic research and aims to ask the questions about the socialization of children in early childhood education and, more specifically, to understand aspects of the social construction of the so -called “student craft” at this level of education. It was intended to unravel the relationships involving early childhood education, families, children and their socialization. Starting from the assumption that there is currently a tendency in society to anticipate the schooling of the child and that this is related to both the transformations of the senses of childhood and “being a child” and specific social conditions, such as forms of family configuration , the division of labor between the sexes, the role of women and their place in the sphere of production, as well as the properly economic pressures about families. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in the interface of childhood sociology with the sociology of education. Thus, it was possible to highlight their commitments to awaken in children early attitudes of discipline and certain habits and knowledge to prepare it for the school and social “future”.

Building a Pedagogy of Welcome in practice: ways to support refugee children in early childhood education and care through examination of professional positionality

ABSTRACT Child displacement levels are rising due to conflict and violence; early educators often provide the first sustained contact young refugee children have with host-country culture. Sensitive pedagogical practices can provide refugee children with a sense of safety as they navigate their new world. This article shares one aspect of a Pedagogy of Welcome, which was developed through a small-scale doctoral research project and investigated the lived experience of four Syrian refugee children in ECEC. Successful models and approaches that enabled ethical power sensitive research engagement have been translated into praxis encouraging educators to deeply examine their professional positionality. This study found ways to navigate differences between Judaism and Islam utilising shared values of welcome. This Pedagogy of Welcome offers a third way for educators to create respectful spaces of welcome for both refugees and other marginalised children.

A Comparative Study on Dialogic Communication Strategies of Preschoolers in Greece and Rwanda

The present research aimed to delve into the communicative profile of children in early childhood education in Greece and Rwanda. More specifically, the study was designed and implemented with the aspiration to examine the communication strategies employed by young children and to explore the potential influence of gender, culture and age on the variation of these strategies among children in Larissa (a city in Greece) and in Kigali (a city in Rwanda, Africa). In the study, 120 children were observed in an attempt to document the communication strategies and further look for differentiations on the basis of their gender, age and cultural background. The study findings indicated that children's communicative repertoire is highly affected by their age and country of origin, while, concerning gender, no statistically significant associations were detected. The results of the research indicate the importance of acknowledging the diverse communication strategies employed by children and implementing a dialogic approach to teaching that accommodates the unique communication requirements of each child.

The Processes of Insertion and Sociability of Haitian Migrant Children in Early Childhood Education

The number of children, both accompanied and unaccompanied, currently crossing international borders in search of humanitarian refuge, has increased significantly in the last few decades of the Twenty-first Century. In Brazil, the presence of Haitian migrant children cannot be ignored, as, in addition to the lack of public policies, they are also victims of racism and xenophobia. Schools face a massive impact of migration, which alters their social structure. Often, the school community is not adequately prepared to cater for these children, as is the case with some schools in the Brazilian municipality of Balneário Camboriú. This research, which is linked to the Postgraduate Program in Education at the University of Vale do Itajaí, initially aims to investigate how Haitian migrant children interact with each other, and with Brazilian children, in two early childhood education schools in Balneário Camboriú. It also intends to investigate, based on the presence of Haitian migrant children, the processes of subjection or transgression of expressions of whiteness as a practice of power and representation of white identity, and to analyze the Municipality’s Curricular Proposal regarding Ethnic-Racial Education. The study is based on the Sociology of Childhood, Racial Studies, and Migration. The research is qualitative and is based on a literature review in two databases. The studies analyzed indicate that one reason for the lack of interest and knowledge about ethnic-racial diversity issues in schools is the existing gap in this theme in both initial and continuing teacher education.

Implementing early childhood education for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya.

The immediate implementation of early childhood education (ECE) for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya has been impeded by obstacles. Major gaps in implementation remain. We investigate, firstly, the widely held, but in our view fallacious, belief that the implementation of inclusive ECE can be progressively realised only when there are available resources. Secondly, we examine the other fallacious belief that children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities are ineducable, and thirdly, the belief that the provision of inclusive ECE is merely a regulatory governmental function, implying that accessibility and reasonable accommodation requirements for children with disabilities do not rest primarily on the state. This study aimed to investigate the gaps in both countries between the policies and legislation and effective implementation, to show that these gaps are exacerbated by the perpetuation of these fallacious beliefs and by information vacuums at governmental level. A critical analysis of inclusive ECE was undertaken on relevant law and policy processes in both countries to expose both governments' reasons for their lack of effective implementation of inclusive ECE. The factors contributing to the lack of immediate and significant implementation of inclusive ECE for children with disabilities in both countries have been investigated. Accountability and transparency need to be implemented at the governance level to ensure that both governments fully implement and prioritise inclusive ECE. This article establishes that mistaken premises and information vacuums may be used by governments in an attempt to renege on their international and constitutional obligations to implement inclusive ECE.

Analysis of Brain-based Learning Pattern in Early Childhood Education in Punjab

This study investigated teachers' attitudes towards Brain-Based Learning (BBL) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) using a descriptive approach and purposive sampling. Data from 209 teachers in Multan's Government schools where Early Childhood Education being taught were collected through a modified questionnaire based on Shelly Klinek's work (2009), but adapted and modified to align with the Pakistani context and the specific needs of the educational landscape in the region. The analysis of the collected data involved the use of statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, and chi-square, with the software SPSS employed for the analysis. The findings of the study revealed a generally positive attitude among teachers towards the implementation of BBL in ECE. Moreover, significant mean differences were observed in various demographic factors, including teaching level, academic qualification, professional qualification, and teaching experience, concerning teachers' attitudes towards BBL at the ECE level. Recommendations include educational authorities organizing seminars or workshops focused on BBL in ECE to familiarize teachers, especially new ones, with brain-compatible classroom principles. Targeted professional development opportunities can effectively support teachers in implementing BBL, enhancing learning experiences for young children in early childhood education.

PERANAN BANTUAN OPERASIONAL PENYELENGGARAAN PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI TERHADAP AKSES LAYANAN PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI DI INDONESIA

There is limited knowledge and information for parents in the process of early childhood growth and development, so the right step for parents is to enrol their children in Early Childhood Education (PAUD) institutions. Government intervention is needed to expand access to PAUD services in Indonesia, one of which is by providing BOP PAUD to PAUD providers. This research uses panel data to analyze the relationship between Operational Assistance for Providing Early Childhood Education (BOP PAUD) and the Gross Participation Rate (APK) for PAUD in Indonesia. Selecting the best panel data model from three types of panel data regression models (Ordinary Least Square ( Pooled Least Square), Fixed Effect Model, and Random Effect Model) can be carried out using the Chow Test, Hausman Test, and Lagrange Multiple Test. Classical assumption tests and model feasibility tests were also carried out using the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) estimation technique. PAUD BOP per student was tested with several control variables and the results found that PAUD BOP per student did not have a significant relationship with PAUD APK. Meanwhile, school variables, student-teacher ratio and urban households with their own home status have a significant relationship to PAUD APK.

A Organização do Currículo na Educação Infantil com Base na BNCC

The National Common Curricular Base for Early Childhood Education (BNCC) is an essential document that guides the educational process in Brazil, providing guidelines for curriculum organization in the initial stage of education. In this article, we discuss the signifi cance of the BNCC in structuring the curriculum in Early Childhood Education, highlighting its methodology of implementation and the expected outcomes for the holistic development of children. To achieve this, we employed a methodology of documentary studies, analysis of educational legislation, and a review of related research literature. Through data collection and synthesis, we aimed to emphasize the principles and objectives of the BNCC, its pedagogical guidelines, and its contribution to curriculum structuring in this educational stage. As a result, we identifi ed that the BNCC aims to promote the holistic development of children, encompassing cognitive, socio-emotional, physical, and cultural aspects. By proposing a curriculum based on these guidelines, we seek to ensure that all children have meaningful and age-appropriate learning opportunities according to their developmental stage. The curriculum becomes more fl exible and contextualized, recognizing the importance of considering each school’s particularities and valuing cultural and regional diversity. Furthermore, the BNCC guarantees rights and equity, as it establishes learning rights for all children in early childhood education, regardless of their origin, social status, or specifi c needs. Organizing the curriculum based on these rights aims to promote educational equity and combat inequalities. The BNCC also highlights the signifi cance of play as a pedagogical principle, recognizing it as a form of expression, learning, and child development. By organizing the curriculum based on this principle, the role of play in the educational process is valued, providing playful and creative moments for children.

A conceptual model of an effective early childhood physical literacy pedagogue

Physical inactivity has become increasingly prevalent among young children in early childhood education and care settings. One promising way to intervene and promote physical activity in these settings is to develop children’s physical literacy. Where most children spend their weekday in early childhood settings in the care of early childhood educators, the educators are viewed as ‘change agents’ and become responsible for developing children’s physical literacy. Thus, early childhood educators must possess adequate skills, knowledge, and practices to promote such development. However, research has yet to conceptualize a theory which identifies the significant capabilities and competencies that make early childhood educators, what we propose, an Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue. Therefore, this paper draws on early childhood research regarding physical literacy, physical activity, and active play, to present a conceptual model theorizing an Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue. Within this model, we propose educators’ professional identity and implementation of play-based pedagogy are essential characteristics of an Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue. Furthermore, educators’ physical literacy capabilities (psychomotor, affective, social, and cognitive) are recognized as the vehicle that drives the aforementioned characteristics to be the Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue. This conceptual model provides implications for future research to appropriately assess and target physical literacy interventions towards early childhood educators.

Ecology of the classroom support program in early childhood education for children with lower income family backgrounds – case Singapore

ABSTRACT Children from lower socio-economic status families, at times, experience particular difficulties when entering school. These children may be equipped with different skill sets not recognized at school. Many countries, including Singapore, are increasingly concerned about the quality of early education. Paramount to quality is also the inclusion and accommodation of diverse learners into the mainstream education setting. The Classroom Support Program (CSP), under scrutiny of this study, is a small-group (and one-on-one) intervention programme developed and implemented by the NTUC First Campus in Singapore. The Classroom Support Program (CSP) involves Classroom Co-Facilitators (CCFs) aiming to include and support children from lower-income family background into early learning classrooms. The objective of the study was to understand the effects of the Classroom Support Program. The results indicate that while this programme provided individualized and tailored learning experiences for these children, CCFs roles and responsibilities varied due to the lack of pedagogical leadership. The proportion of their work is on the academic preparation of the children and while they promote the holistic well-being of the children in their talk, the children spent long periods of the day in teacher directed learning.

LITERACY AND HYPERACTIVITY IN EARLY EARLY EDUCATION

This article aims to observe how literacy happens in hyperactive children in early childhood education. The term literacy has currently been used by some scholars to designate the process of developing reading and writing skills in social and professional practices. It is known that hyperactive children have concentration and learning difficulties. However, it needs attention so that literacy can occur in literacy activities. The understanding of the professional (teacher and psychologist) is essential to facilitate the understanding of reading and writing for students with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). However, it is possible to deal with this group of students, work and interact with them. Because, their knowledge of the world prevails and provides them with reading and writing skills. Children with hyperactivity disorders need initiatives from teachers at school so that attention deficit problems can be overcome and teaching, learning and literacy can flow both in writing and reading and in social practice.

Negovanje inkluzije - merenje bezbednosti u indonezijskim sredinama za obrazovanje u ranom detinjstvu za svako dete

Introduction. Safety holds paramount importance in inclusive school environments that accommodate all students. The UNICEF report emphasizes that, regrettably, both peer sand teachers may engage in physical abuse against children in early childhood education (ECE). Objective. This paper aims to assess early childhood education teachers' perspectives on school safety, their strategies to ensure a safe environment, and the supporting rules for school environmental safety. Method. This research employed a quantitative descriptive approach, gathering numerical data through a survey questionnaire. The study included 52 ECE teachers who had undergone anti-violence education training in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru, two inclusive cities in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Results. Findings reveal that teachers reported instances of physical aggression, cyberbullying, verbal insults, and sexual harassment as infrequent occurrences. However, addressing social manipulation and physical aggression through corrective measures is recognized as necessary. Teachers implemented diverse strategies to maintain a safe and respectful classroom atmosphere, including reinforcing norms, promoting civility, teaching non-violent conflict resolution, and acknowledging students who intervened to protect victims. Importantly, teachers affirmed their commitment to transparency by refusing to conceal unethical behaviors by staff or students, thereby strengthening school safety protocols. Nevertheless, the evaluation of school environmental safety activities and regulations identified significant opportunities for improvement. Conclusion. The majority of ECE institutions lack clear protocols for conflict resolution, diversity promotion, bullying prevention, parental involvement, teacher training, and safety assessment. Addressing these shortcomings is crucial to establishing a more secure and inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all children.

Stakeholder perspectives of PBL and their involvement in the implementation of play pedagogy in selected Schools offering ECE in Southern and Central Zambia

While several studies have been done on parental involvement in early childhood education, gaps still exists relating to the conceptualisation of play and play-based learning in different contexts. The various perceptions of play and play- based learning have a strong influence on their involvement in play-based learning activities involving children in Early Childhood Education. Using a qualitative approach, framed within the interpretive research paradigm, this study revealed a disjuncture between the positive perception held by the stakeholders on play and PBL to the reality of play-based learning in the ECE schools. The researchers asked three questions: 1. What are the perceptions of parents, community, and school administrators (teachers and administrators) regarding play and play-based learning? 2. How do these stakeholders get involved in PBL? 3. And what factors influence their involvement? The researchers collected data through key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions and classroom observations. The study established that the involvement in PBL varied among stakeholders. For parents and community members their involvement was often based on solicitation by the school administrators and external development agencies - as opposed to volunteering postulated by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement employed in the study. Among the factors that influenced their participation was a general lack of a clear understanding of PBL and their role and functions in PBL and ECE in general. Thus, the study recommends capacity building in PBL for parents, community members and school administrators.

The Influence of Number Dice Games in Improving Early Childhood Mathematical Logic in Early Childhood Education

Purpose of the study: The aim of this research is to determine the effect of the number dice game in improving the mathematical logic intelligence of young children in Early Childhood Education.&#x0D; Methodology: The method used in this research is quantitative with an experimental research design, the sampling technique is purposive sampling, with post test and pre test research instruments, the data analysis used is inferential statistics.&#x0D; Main Findings: The results of this research show that Early Childhood Education Teachers use the number dice game media used in mathematics learning, which is a game that children like because it is very easy and interesting to play. In order to stimulate various areas of development such as cognitive, language and social. Social skills trained in this game include the willingness to follow and obey the rules of the game, playing in turns. Mathematical cognitive skills that are stimulated are stating the order of numbers, recognizing number symbols and number concepts.&#x0D; Novelty/Originality of this study: The use of a number dice game introduces a novel and engaging way for young children to interact with mathematical concepts. It offers an enjoyable learning experience that can potentially enhance children's motivation and interest in mathematics, establishing a positive foundation for learning.