Early Childhood Education Majors Research Articles

Research on the Development of Integrated Educational Literacy among Students Majoring in Early Childhood Education

In recent years, China has implemented various policies to strengthen the development of inclusive education in early childhood education, particularly focusing on improving the pre-service training quality of teachers in this field. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current state of inclusive education literacy among early childhood education majors. The research subjects are 13 soon-to-graduate students majoring in early childhood education from higher education institutions in Guangdong Province. The study uses a case interview method and employs Nvivo14 software for coding analysis of the textual data. The results indicate that while early childhood education majors generally recognize the concept of inclusive education, they lack a deep understanding of it. They acknowledge the importance of inclusive education courses but have a relatively limited experience with its forms. Additionally, internship experiences with special needs children influence their self-efficacy in inclusive education to a certain extent.

Japanese University Students’ Perspectives on the COVID-19-Driven Cancellation of Their Study-Abroad Program

In February 2020, 49 Japanese early childhood education majors attending a private university in central Japan travelled to Australia to study abroad for ten months. As the students were required to acquire a childcare certificate in Australia, their time abroad was not only important for the development of their linguistic skills but also to improve skills which would be valuable as their careers unfolded. However, two months into their program the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and the students’ university required them to return to Japan where their classes were moved online. In this paper the author examines data collected in interviews conducted with six of those 49 students, exploring their thoughts and feelings about the fact that their study abroad program was cut short by the global pandemic. It further analyzes how this sudden change in their plans potentially changed their career paths, along with their experiences, both positive and negative. The author also looks at how the students felt they had changed through this difficult period. By knowing and understanding these students’ views, we can better prepare and plan to assist future students with their study abroad experience should circumstances similar to the COVID-19 pandemic arise again.

Optimization of the game improvement and data analysis model for the early childhood education major via deep learning

An ever-growing portion of the economy is dedicated to the field of education, intensifying the urgency of identifying strategies to secure the sector’s enduring prosperity and elevate educational standards universally. This study introduces a model for enhancing games and optimizing data analysis within the context of early childhood education (ECE) majors, hinging on deep learning (DL). This approach aims to enhance the quality of instruction provided to ECE majors and refine the effectiveness of their professional pursuits. This study commences by examining the incorporation of DL technologies within the domain of ECE and delving into their fundamental underpinnings. Subsequently, it expounds upon the design philosophy underpinning ECE games operating within the framework of DL. Finally, it outlines the game improvement and data analysis (GIADA) model tailored to ECE majors. This model is constructed upon DL technology and further refined through the integration of convolutional neural networks (CNN). Empirical findings corroborate that the DL-CNN GIADA model achieves data analysis accuracy ranging from 83 to 93% across four datasets, underscoring the pronounced optimization prowess bestowed by CNN within the DL-based GIADA model. This study stands as an invaluable reference for the application and evolution of artificial intelligence technology within the realm of education, thereby contributing substantively to the broader landscape of educational advancement.

Pre-service Teacher Training Program at Yarmouk University: Mixed methodology Evaluation Study

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the pre-service teacher training program (TTP) for the Classroom Teacher and Early Childhood Education majors at Yarmouk University from stakeholders’ perspectives.
 Methods: The study utilized a mixed methodology approach. The quantitative method with (57) female students from the Classroom Teacher and Early Childhood programs at Yarmouk University, 41 female cooperative teachers, and 10 faculty supervising for 2019/2020 at the Bani Ubaid District Directorate of Education. The qualitative method utilized the Consensual qualitative research (CQR) with a phenomenology paradigm through 21 semi-structured interviews to explore how stakeholders perceived the different challenges and opportunities that affected the efficiency of the pre-service training program at Yarmouk University.
 Results: The quantitative methods indicated a high degree of effectiveness in meeting the program's expected competencies (planning, teaching, classroom management, and assessment) in both majors. The qualitative data uncovered two main themes about challenges: teaching practices and regulatory and organizational challenges, and three themes in terms of opportunities: reforming competencies to include dispositions, creating a shared vision between schools and TTP units, and building accountability systems to enhance the efficiency of TTP.
 Conclusions: The study provided recommendations to revisit the pre-service teacher education program competencies, enhance pipeline efforts between the TTP unit and the schools, and monitor the pre-service procedures and regulations on both sites: university and school.

유치원·어린이집 관리자의 경험을 통한 유아 및 보육교사 양성체제 분석

From the perspective of training and qualification standards for infant teachers and childcare teachers, this study aims to deal with the overall discussion on improving the training system of infant teachers and childcare teachers by exploring the experiences of kindergarten and daycare center managers for field teachers. As a result of the study, first, both kindergarten and daycare center managers recognized that there was a difference in expertise according to the type of training institution. Teachers with long educational years were considered to be relatively superior in terms of competencies required for work. Second, kindergarten and daycare center managers commonly recognized the difference in competency between early childhood education majors and non-child education majors such as childcare and other child-related departments. Third, both kindergarten and daycare center managers recognized that a lot of improvement was needed in terms of educational practice. Fourth, both kindergarten and daycare center managers pointed out the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of incumbent education at the same time. Fifth, the qualification acquisition path was influencing in the appointment and recruitment process. Based on the analysis results, suggestions can be provided as follows. First, it is desirable to reorganize both the training system for infant teachers and childcare teachers centered on the subject system and to abolish the short-term training system. Second, various improvements should be made in educational practice. Third, incumbent education should be field-friendly. Finally, this study is meaningful in that by analyzing the perception of institutional managers in terms of the training system, the necessity that the training process to secure expertise for each system is needed to change for the unification of childcare center and kindergarten.

Analysis of Constructive Learning Models in Forming Religious Characters of Early Childhood

The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the development of learning models that can stimulate students to interpret every learning activity in shaping the character of early childhood. The research method is a qualitative method in which the researcher captures the phenomenon of the development of religious and moral values of early childhood is only limited to habituation and the discovery of data that the teacher does not compile a special program of character development in learning. The study was conducted in DKI Jakarta (Jakarta Capital Special Region) with 60 samples consisting of University students Open PAUD (Early Childhood Education) majors who are PAUD teachers in DKI Jakarta. Data collection techniques from interviews, observation and questionnaire distribution and also documentation. The results of the study stated that a constructive learning model is needed that is able to give meaning to the learning process in character development.

A qualitative inquiry on child-rearing experience of graduate student moms in early childhood education majors

A qualitative inquiry on child-rearing experience of graduate student moms in early childhood education majors

Connecting formal and informal learning to enhance elementary teacher preparation in geosciences

The U.S. National Research Council has called on the science education community to conduct further studies on how informal learning complements the formal classroom environment. Responding to this research need, we are developing, testing, and studying new instructional materials that integrate informal, field-based science learning into elementary teacher education. Us-ing EarthCaching as a model for teaching geosciences, the project team has developed an introductory module and seven field-based EarthCaching activities that connect to the earth and space science core ideas described in the Next Generation Science Standards. The materials are aimed at pre-service elementary teachers; however, they are appropriate for use with early child-hood and special education majors. To date we have piloted the materials over four semesters, gathering feedback through fo-cus groups to inform iterative revisions. Through the redesign process, the team has identified a set of preliminary design prin-ciples to guide other teacher educators interested in integrating EarthCaching into their instruction. These include attention to preparation, safety, and navigation; emphasis on observation, estimation, and prediction; promoting peer group interactions; presenting familiar sites from a new perspective; and highlighting cultural significance. Elementary pre-service teachers in the focus groups noted the value of taking young learners outside to EarthCache, including the opportunity to connect classroom learning to the real world and to teach geosciences locally. We anticipate that integrating informal science learning experiences into a science course for elementary pre-service teachers will increase their positive attitudes towards informal learning and in-tention to use elements of informal learning with their own students.

Taking Culturally Relevant Teaching to the Big House: Implications for Early Childhood Teacher Educators

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the conceptualization1 of a foundational course on culturally relevant pedagogy for early childhood education majors at a predominantly white university in the U.S. Southeast. The course has been taught for 7 years to approximately 1,000 preservice teachers. A discussion of the complexities involved in teaching equity-focused courses is included (e.g., the magnitude of what we are asking preservice and inservice teachers to do; the depth and historical legacies that must be dismantled, deconstructed, and transformed). I deliberate on issues such as these: How can teacher educators meet preservice teachers (white and persons of color) where they are, but also move them beyond those places and spaces? What frameworks and guidelines have been found useful? How can teacher educators prevent equity-based courses from being derailed and hijacked by a few detractors? What types of supports are necessary for success? Examples of assignments, readings, and activities are shared.

The Effects of Children’s Literature on Preservice Early Childhood Mathematics Teachers’ Thinking

In this article, the author shares an intervention of using children’s literature as a pedagogical frame for an undergraduate mathematics content course with early childhood education majors to influence their thinking about mathematics teaching and learning. With this case study of 29 preservice teachers, the author found that literature increased preservice elementary teachers’ excitement about mathematics, heightened their self-efficacy in mathematics, and motivated them to design innovative mathematics lessons. By elaborating on these findings, the author makes a case for the continued need for mathematically competent teachers in elementary classroom spaces, and the author advocates for the incorporation of literature as a means to do this work. Finally, the author provides implications for future research and practice with other SoTL-related projects involving children’s literature.

Experience of Becoming Play Therapist in Early Childhood Education Majors

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of their lives as counselor and professor through the experience to becoming a play therapist for children in early childhood education major. The narrative inquiry was conducted. Research methods followed the procedures of narrative inquiry proposed by Clandinin and Connelly. The procedure of the narrative inquiry have usually three step. It include generally study start step, telling step, retelling step. As a result, there appeared three themes in the early childhood majors’ experience of becoming a play therapist for children: ‘start for majors deepening and teacher Received (January 20, 2016), Review Result (February 3, 2016) Accepted (February 12, 2016), Published (March 31, 2016) (Main Author) 36830, Early Childhood Education, Gyeongbuk Provincial College., 114 Doripdaehak-gil, Yecheon-eup, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea email: church1004@hanmail.net (Corresponding Author) 51767, Early Childhood Education, Kyungnam Univ., 7 Kyungnamdaehak-ro, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-Si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea email: sena49@Kyungnam.ac.kr Experience of Becoming Play Therapist in Early Childhood Education Majors Copyright c 2016 HSST 350 empowerment’, ‘journey of play therapist with conflicts and dilemmas’, ‘change and overwhelming moment through a play therapist for children’. To becoming a play therapist for children had two different meanings. One was to re-search play in early childhood education field and the other was to re-search healing and teaching as professor.

Academic Motivation And Self-Regulated Learning In Predicting Academic Achievement in College

The purpose of this study was to determine whether academic motivation and academic self-regulated learning predicted students’ GPAs in the Early Childhood Education Department. The study participants consisted of 166 early childhood education majors enrolled in the 2014 spring semester at Georgia Southern University, USA. Data were gathered using the “academic motivation scale” developed by Vallerand et al. (1992), and the “academic self-regulated learning scale” developed by Mango (2010). The study’ s results showed that there was no correlation between GPA and academic motivation and academic self-regulation learning. In other words, the students’ academic motivation and academic self-regulated learning total scores, together, did not predict their GPA.

Exploring the Impact of TeachME™ Lab Virtual Classroom Teaching Simulation on Early Childhood Education Majors’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a mixed-reality teaching environment, called TeachME™ Lab (TML), on early childhood education majors’ science teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Sixty-two preservice early childhood teachers participated in the study. Analysis of the quantitative (STEBI-b) and qualitative (journal entries) data revealed that personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy beliefs increased significantly after one semester of participation in TML. Three key factors impacted preservice teachers’ (PST) self-efficacy beliefs in the context of participation in TML: PSTs’ perceptions of their science content knowledge, their familiarity with TML technology and avatars, and being observed by peers. Cognitive pedagogical mastery (TML practices), effective/actual modeling, cognitive self-modeling, and emotional arousal were the primary sources that increased the PSTs’ perceived self-efficacy beliefs. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the TML is a worthwhile technology for learning to teach in teacher education. It provides a way for PSTs to have a highly personalized learning experience that enables them to improve their understanding and confidence related to teaching science, so that ideally someday they may translate such an experience into their classroom practices.

Lessons from the Team

AbstractThe authors of this article have collaborated in the planning and implementation of two courses for the early childhood education majors they had in common: Language Arts and Computers in Education. This article tells the story of their collaboration, including: rationale, components of student involvement, obstacles, outcomes, and where to go from here.

Teaching Practices that Promote Motor Skills in Early Childhood Settings

Early childhood educators, especially those in preschool centers, are often expected to design and implement movement programs. However, these individuals may not have been taught these skills during their education. The purpose of this study was to determine if early childhood majors could successfully be taught to implement a mastery climate instructional approach to promote motor skill development to preschool-age children. Twenty undergraduate Early Childhood Education majors, who completed a Motor Development Across the School Years course, designed and implemented a movement program to develop preschoolers’ locomotor and object control skills. Fourteen preschoolers participated in an 11-week movement program. Preschoolers’ motor performance was assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development—2nd Edition prior to and following the intervention. Results indicate significant improvements in total performance (p < .05) and locomotor skills (p = .037). Findings indicate that with guidance and training, early childhood majors can effectively design and implement a mastery-based movement program that enhances motor skill competence. The findings also demonstrate the need and value for early childhood majors to receive training in the design and implementation of movement programs. This paper provides a conceptual framework and practical recommendations to assist teachers and educators with implementing a mastery climate movement programs.

Investigating the Use of Vicarious and Mastery Experiences in Influencing Early Childhood Education Majors’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs

This study investigated the effectiveness of an Early Childhood Education science methods course that focused exclusively on providing various mastery (i.e., enactive, cognitive content, and cognitive pedagogical) and vicarious experiences (i.e., cognitive self-modeling, symbolic modeling, and simulated modeling) in increasing preservice elementary teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. Forty-four preservice elementary teachers participated in the study. Analysis of the quantitative (STEBI-b) and qualitative (informal surveys) data revealed that personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy beliefs increased significantly over the semester. Enactive mastery, cognitive pedagogical mastery, symbolic modeling, and cognitive self-modeling were the major sources of self-efficacy. This list was followed by cognitive content mastery and simulated modeling. This study has implications for science teacher educators.

A Longitudinal Study of Pre-School-Teacher-Efficacy in a Case of Junior College Early Childhood Education Majors with a Focus on the Motivation of College Admission

A Longitudinal Study of Pre-School-Teacher-Efficacy in a Case of Junior College Early Childhood Education Majors with a Focus on the Motivation of College Admission

Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Early Childhood Music Teaching Experiences

Abstract The purpose of this case study was to examine the reflections of pre-service early childhood and elementary education majors on their music teaching experiences that were a part of their undergraduate early childhood music methods course. The research questions guiding this investigation were: (a) How did participants perceive themselves and young children while they engaged in a series of early childhood pre-service music teaching experiences and (b) how did the participants perceive those experiences to influence teacher preparation and other life experiences? Participants were 6female undergraduates who completed a series of music teaching experiences and reflections during an early childhood music methods course. Each participant also agreed to be interviewed three semesters following the completion of the course. Three themes emerged with regard to the first research question: (a) developing confidence, (b) recognizing children’s music responses and development, and (c) adapting while teaching. Two themes emerged with regard to the second research question: (a) transferring music skills, content, and activities and connecting to community; and (b) using reflection for understanding child development and self-development. Participants gained experience at reflection-in-action, appreciated reflection on reflection, and valued repeated authentic music teaching experiences and developing reflective practices early in their academic careers.

Using a Musicianship Portfolio as Assessment of Music and Education Course Objectives in a “Music for Elementary Teachers” Course

This study explores the use of a portfolio to document and assess development of musicianship in a university course on elementary music methods for early childhood and elementary education majors. The researcher develops and implements the portfolio during two semesters, and students complete a survey regarding the perceived usefulness of the assignment. Survey feedback suggests an appreciation on the part of students regarding the usefulness of the portfolio relative to their learning in the course. Students indicate that the portfolio helped them to understand what musicianship is and become aware of and grow in their own musicianship. The results also suggest that the portfolio was a valuable tool for students to synthesize their learning in the course. The majority of students respond that they believed musicianship was an important part of the course; this belief could be due in part to the experience of creating the portfolio.

Prospective Elementary Teachers’ Understanding of Order of Operations

This study investigates how well 381 prospective elementary, early childhood, and special education majors solved four arithmetic problems that required using the order of operations. Self‐reported data show these students to be relatively able mathematically and confident in their ability, with no substantial dislike of mathematics. The percentage of answers that were incorrectthat is attributable to order of operations ranged from 21.7% to 78.5%. Overall, fewer than half the subjects answered more than two questions correctly. Of those subjects who performed multiplication before addition, which indicates some knowledge of order of operations, 30.9% performed addition before subtraction and 38.0% performed multiplication before division rather than from left to right, which suggests that instead of using the correct order of operations, these students used the common mnemonic PEMDAS or “Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally “literally, performing multiplicationbefore division and performing addition before subtraction, rather than from left‐to‐right. Furthermore, 78.5% of subjects used the incorrect order of operations to compute −32.