Preschool Learning Research Articles

Associations between executive functions at age 3 and children’s learning behaviors at age 6

This longitudinal study explores the associations between children’s executive functions at the beginning of preschool and their learning behaviors, namely competence motivation and attentional persistence, at the end of preschool. Participants were 218 Portuguese children ( Mage = 40.4 months, SD = 4.2; 52% boys) and their preschool teachers ( n = 29). The children’s executive functions (specifically attention shifting, working memory, and response inhibition) were individually assessed when they were 3 years of age. Teachers’ perceptions about the children’s competence motivation and attentional persistence were assessed with the Preschool Learning Behaviors Scale (PLBS) when the children were 6 years old. Results showed positive associations between children’s executive functions and attentional persistence, but not competence motivation, after controlling for covariates (age, gender, and expressive vocabulary). These findings contribute to current evidence about the links between early executive functions and later behavioral indicators of child persistence in learning tasks.

The Impact of Digital Storytelling on the Promotion of National Identity among Preschool Children

With the advent of digital storytelling, educators now have powerful resources to inspire national identity in the next generation and open new avenues for creative learning in preschool. This paper reports on a case study that explores the impact of digital storytelling (DST) on the promotion of national identity. This study used a qualitative approach to investigate the observed phenomenon. The context of this case study involves the utilization of DST within a modern, technologically equipped kindergarten that has adopted the new Saudi curriculum. Six preschoolers were included in this case study, and a range of qualitative data were collected through observations (notes, photographs, video recordings), nonparticipant and interaction observations, and children’s artifacts. Thematic analysis revealed that DST is a valuable tool for promoting national identity among preschool children. By incorporating DST into early childhood education, educators can effectively engage young learners in exploring their cultural heritage, thus promoting a sense of pride, belonging, and connection to their national identity.

Manifesting learning in the workplace: an activity theoretical study of professional learning in preschool using active learning classrooms

PurposeThe purpose of this study is the development of a methodology that draws on activity theory (AT) to assess educators’ and leaders’ professional learning in a pre-school setting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on a case study of professional development in an active learning classroom (ALC) where 20 professionals participated in a one-day writing workshop. AT was used to analyse the writing workshop as well as data from reflective writing, video recordings, interviews and surveys.FindingsThe paper shows that professional development is significantly influenced by a range of mediating technologies used in educational spaces such as the ALC. The mediated practice breaks normal work practice in the pre-school activity system and division of labour roles, and hierarchical positions and professional relationships. Such a break is considered to facilitate a manifestation of professional learning. However, it also poses a risk for organisational disruptions emphasising the need for diagnostic understanding when an ALC should be used for capturing workplace learning.Practical implicationsStructured writing workshops – taking place in ALCs – provide a suitable forum that breaks with routines, accelerates collective reflections and articulation of negotiated meaning and produces a common ground across hierarchical roles supporting collective professional development in the activity system.Originality/valueUnlike previous research focusing on student perspectives, this study views these spaces as settings for professionals to recognise and solve developmental problems. It suggests that structured writing workshops in ALCs can accelerate collective reflection and support collective professional development across hierarchical roles.

The Influence of Parents’ Beliefs and Home Literacy Environment on Preschoolers’ Attitudes toward Learning English as a Foreign Language

There are concerns about the negative impact of early English instruction on preschoolers’ attitudes, especially regarding parents’ beliefs (PB) and certain home literacy environments (HLE). However, limited research exists on how these factors influence young children’s attitudes toward learning English. This study examined the impact of PB and HLE on preschoolers’ attitudes toward learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Purposive sampling was utilized to select potential respondents from 14 administrative regions within Zhengzhou, China. A survey was conducted among 405 primary caregivers of English preschool learners, focusing on family demographics, perceptions of early English education, HLE, and preschoolers’ learning attitudes. The data were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) analysis in structural equation modelling (SEM). Results affirmed how preschoolers’ HLE significantly and distinctly influences their EFL learning attitudes via formal and informal learning activities as well as resource availability. Specifically, English literacy resources were found to shape preschool-age children’s affective and cognitive attitudes, while caregiver reports on informal English learning at home has a predominant effect on preschoolers’ behavioural attitude. Moreover, access to literacy resources at home serves as a critical intermediary between PB about the value of English education and preschoolers’ cognitive attitude. These findings underline the importance of a supportive HLE and the benefits of interventions designed to modify parents’ beliefs in fostering preschoolers’ favorable attitudes toward EFL learning.

Understanding the Effect of Preschool Learning Environments on Children's Well- Being from Teachers' Perspectives: A Case Study

Understanding the Effect of Preschool Learning Environments on Children's Well- Being from Teachers' Perspectives: A Case Study

High-Capacity Robots in Early Education: Developing Computational Thinking with a Voice-Controlled Collaborative Robot

This study investigates the potential of a voice-controlled collaborative robot to promote computational thinking (CT) skills in preschoolers aged 4 to 6 in Southern Chile. During a week-long workshop, 34 children engaged in activities designed to develop several CT components while interacting with a robotic arm. Pre- and post-workshop assessments utilizing the TechCheck-K tool revealed significant improvements in CT skills. The findings of this preliminary study demonstrate the effectiveness of voice-controlled robots as innovative tools in early education, significantly enhancing young learners’ understanding of CT concepts, practices, and perspectives. This research advocates for further exploration of robotic integration in educational settings, highlighting their potential to improve or extend preschool learning environments and foster CT skill development.

Children health learning through Project Based Learning (PBL) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

Children who learn through Project-Based Learning (PBL) in preschool can be an environment that gives children the opportunity to gain wider knowledge to understand the reality of life and how to deal with it. This study aims to see the effect of the Project Based Learning (PBL) method on the development level of preschool children's health learning. This study used an action research design involving three boys and three-year-old girls from a preschool in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Data from observations, interviews and related documents were collected and analyzed narratively before and after the implementation of PBL. The results of the study found that the development level of children's health learning increased after being directly involved in the implementation of PBL. Findings also show positive behavioral changes. In addition, the study successfully gave positive implications to the need for preschool teachers to be exposed to the skills of the PBL method in order to create more effective teaching methods.

Can Preschoolers Learn Novel Causal Rules in Pretense?

ABSTRACT Pretend play is often hypothesized in a global sense to be an effective context for young children’s learning, but there is much still to learn about whether all types of information can be learned equally and whether all types of pretend play are equally beneficial. The present study tests whether preschoolers can learn a simple, novel causal rule from a pretend demonstration. American children watched either one (Experiment 1) or two (Experiment 2) experimenters pretend that a wooden box was a “blicket machine” and that certain blocks were “blickets.” In Experiment 1, performance was compared to a control group who saw an experimenter use the same materials in a realistic context. Results show that participants in the control condition outperformed children in the pretend condition in learning the novel causal rule. Data from both experiments combined revealed that, in pretense, participants learned the novel causal rule when the rule involved block color but not when it involved block shape. These results add to previous research on learning from pretense which indicates that learning novel information from pretense is selective and not always as effective as learning from real contexts.

Children’s Social-Emotional Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protective Effects of the Quality of Children’s Home and Preschool Learning Environments

ABSTRACT Research Findings: The study examined the development of children’s social-emotional problems between 2019 (T1) and winter 2021/22 (T2) during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the role of children’s home and preschool learning environments. The sample included 228 German children ages 3–7 years at T1 (M Age = 5.13, SD = 0.79, 46% female). Results showed an increase in emotional problems between T1 and T2, which was more pronounced among already disadvantaged groups of children from families with lower income and lower educational background. Peer problems increased only among children from families with lower educational backgrounds. The emotional climate of the family and the quality of children’s preschool learning environment were identified as protective influences for the development of children’s peer problems, but not for children’s emotional problems. Practice or Policy: The policy restrictions implemented to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus had longer-lasting consequences for (some) children’s emotional functioning. Efforts should be undertaken to mitigate such detrimental effects by supporting disadvantaged groups of children. In addition, based on the findings regarding the importance of high-quality interactions to prevent the development of social problems among children, policy should establish the conditions for preschool staff to provide high-quality interactions in childcare.

Structured early childhood education exposure and childhood cognition – Evidence from an Indian birth cohort

Experiences in early childhood form the bedrock of future human potential. In impoverished settings, structured early childhood education (ECE) in preschool years can augment overall childhood and later human abilities. The current study evaluates preschool learning exposure and childhood cognition, using longitudinal follow-up of a community-based birth cohort in Vellore, south India. The birth cohort study site in Vellore recruited 251 newborns between 2010 and 2012 from dense urban settlements and further followed up into childhood. Preschool enrolment details were obtained from parents. Childhood cognition was assessed by Weschler’s preschool primary scale of intelligence (WPPSI) and Malin’s intelligence scale for Indian Children (MISIC) at 5 and 9 years of age respectively. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with adjustments for socio-economic status (SES), maternal education, stunting status and home environment. Out of 251 new-borns recruited into the MAL-ED birth cohort, 212 (84.46%) and 205 (81.7%) children were available for the 5 year and 9 year follow-up respectively. At 5 years, structured ECE of 18 to 24 months duration was significantly associated with higher cognition scores, with the highest increase in processing speed [β: 19.55 (11.26–27.77)], followed by full-scale intelligence [β: 6.75 (2.96–10.550)], even after adjustments for SES, maternal cognition, home factors and early childhood stunting status. Similarly adjusted analysis at 9 years showed that children who attended 1.5–2 years of structured ECE persisted to have higher cognition, especially in the performance domain [β: 8.82 (2.60–15.03)], followed by the full-scale intelligence [β: 7.24 (2.52–11.90)]. Follow-up of an Indian birth cohort showed that structured ECE exposure was associated with better school entry cognition as well as mid-childhood cognition. Strengthening ECE through a multi-pronged approach could facilitate to maximize cognitive potential of human capital.

Speaker Competence Affects Prefrontal Theta and Occipital Alpha Power during Selective Word Learning in Preschoolers.

In the present study, we investigated the cognitive processes underlying selective word learning in preschoolers. We measured rhythmic neural activity in the theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha frequency range (7-12 Hz) in 67 four-year-olds. EEG was recorded during anticipation and encoding of novel labeling events performed by a speaker who had previously shown either competence (correct) or incompetence (incorrect) in labeling familiar objects. In both groups, children selected the target object equally often upon recall. However, children observing the incompetent speaker revealed weaker representations of novel words indicated by an increased likelihood for selecting familiar but incorrect items upon recall. Modulations in theta and alpha power suggest differential processing of novel label-object pairs depending on the speakers' competence. In the incompetent, but not the competent, speaker condition, increases in prefrontal theta power during anticipation and encoding were related to increased recall success. Findings suggest that theta power in the present study reflects cognitive control. In both conditions, occipital alpha power-indicating attentional processes-reflected familiarity with novel items, but in opposite directions. In familiar item trials, alpha power was increased observing the incompetent and decreased observing the competent speaker. Thus, both cognitive control and attention processes during word learning are differentially affected by speaker characteristics.

Teachers’ attitudes towards the implementation and involvement in GREEN activities at pre-school level

Abstract Pre-school education is a crucial time in the formation of children’s individual personalities and values. In the context of growing concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability, integrating GREEN education into the pre-school system is becoming an essential choice for preparing new generations for global environmental challenges. In this sense, the proposed research focuses on teachers’ attitudes towards the implementation and involvement in GREEN activities at pre-school level. A key aspect of this research is to identify the underlying motivations behind the adoption of GREEN education in pre-school settings. Exploring these reasons will shed light not only on the theoretical and normative aspects that support the need for GREEN education, but also on the practical aspects related to the benefits observed in children’s development in terms of environmental awareness, social responsibility and the formation of sustainable behaviours.The research will also focus on the level of teachers’ interest in the application of GREEN education in the preschool learning process. Assessing this aspect will contribute to understanding the degree of teachers’ receptiveness and willingness to integrate specific GREEN education themes and activities into the curriculum.The research will also explore ways of implementing GREEN education in the pre-school environment, highlighting effective practices and obstacles encountered by teachers in the process. This approach will provide useful information for the development of educational strategies and resources to facilitate the effective integration of GREEN themes into pre-school curricula. Through this research, we will also investigate the level of knowledge teachers’ knowledge about GREEN education, identifying possible gaps in their professional training in this field. The results will provide essential information for the development of in-service training programmes to support teachers in improving their skills in GREEN education. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to bring attention to teachers’ attitudes towards implementing and engaging in GREEN activities at pre-school level, providing relevant and practical data for improving the quality of pre-school education and training future generations in sustainability.

Fostering self-regulated learning in preschool through dynamic assessment methodologies.

Self-regulated learning is a transversal competency which plays a central role in acquiring autonomy. This investigation aimed to support approaches that foster self-regulated learning in preschool. We proposed to improve preschoolers' self-regulated learning strategies (i.e., forethought, performance, and self-reflection) through the educational intervention Pipo and Mia, the magic knights, hypothesizing different results when comparing levels of the program intervention. Participants included 115 preschoolers and their nine teachers. Teachers implemented the program to children, and engaged in professional training simultaneously. Aiming to validate the Dynamic Assessment of Self-regulation in Preschool (DASP) method socially, it was used as children's pre and post-measure, and focus groups were conducted with teachers to assess its validity. Results showed improvements in children's use of strategies, and some significant differences between intervention levels. Teachers highlighted the DASP method potentialities. The study's contributions and constraints are discussed considering implications for practice, research, theory, and policy.

The validity of learning potential for predicting educational adjustment in preschoolers with Down syndrome: A longitudinal study.

Learning Potential tests aim to assess cognitive functioning using mediation strategies by observing subsequent changes in learning patterns. In this study, this methodology was applied with the Preschool Learning Potential and Abilities Scale and two additional tests, the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and the Battery of Aptitudes for School Learning I, to a total of 58 children with Down Syndrome, at four and six years of age. The results demonstrate improvements in general intelligence, learning potential, and school aptitudes between the two timepoints. There was a significant, positive relationship between the variables measured in the different tests, as well as on the predictive variables of school aptitudes, in these children at six years of age. There is evidence that supports the use of this dynamic evaluation methodology, opening new fields of action in child evaluation processes.

Self-Regulation and Academic Learning in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Links to School Engagement and Levels of Autism Characteristics.

Children with autism spectrum disorder often demonstrate self-regulation challenges and academic difficulties. Although self-regulation has been well documented as an important factor for academic achievement in neurotypical children, little is known about how it is related to academic learning in autistic children, especially during preschool, a critical developmental period for both emergent academic skills and self-regulatory abilities. It is also unclear whether school engagement or autism characteristics influence the relation between self-regulation and academic learning in autistic children during preschool. Thirty-two autistic preschoolers participated in this study. Direct measures and parent reports were used to measure three dimensions of self-regulation, including executive function, effortful control, and emotion regulation. Classroom-based data from multiple academic programs were used to reflect their average rates of achieving new literacy and mathematics learning goals. Teachers reported the participants' levels of school engagement, and their autism characteristics were measured directly. Emotion regulation was significantly linked to the rate of meeting literacy learning goals in autistic preschoolers, whereas multiple executive function skills, including inhibitory and attentional control and working memory, were associated with their mathematics learning rate. Emotion regulation demonstrated a stronger association with literacy learning when autistic children were more engaged in classroom activities. Levels of autism characteristics did not mediate or moderate the association between self-regulation and academic learning. Future interventions and teaching should consider fostering self-regulation and facilitating school engagement for autistic preschoolers besides targeting their learning performance on specific academic content to promote their current and future academic success.

An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Augmented Reality Technology Supported English Language Learning Activities on Preschool Children

Early learners experience various difficulties when learning foreign languages. Augmented reality technology can support learning environments and foreign language vocabulary teaching by attracting the attention of early learners. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Augmented Reality (AR) technology supported English language learning activities on preschool children with the effects of traditional activities (presentation, lecture, question-answer). In this study, embedded mixed method was used. The sample of the study consisted of 44 five-year-old preschool children (19 boys, 25 girls). Color knowledge test, mood scale, observation, and interview forms were used as data collection tools. As a result of the study, it was concluded that AR-supported English learning activities were more effective than traditional activities on students’ English color vocabulary levels. The children were very happy and they had fun during the experimental process. According to the results of classroom observations, children made weekly progress in cognitive, affective and social/language categories. Implications are discussed in terms of pedagogical insights, practices for AR supported English language learning in preschool, and further research directions.

Teachers’ perspectives of, and strategies for, promoting the social and emotional learning of preschoolers: A comparative study of Thailand and the republic of Korea

Teachers’ perspectives of, and strategies for, promoting the social and emotional learning of preschoolers: A comparative study of Thailand and the republic of Korea

Effective Strategies and Methods to Enhance Music Practical Teaching in Higher Vocational Preschool Education

Abstract:This paper studies of effective strategies and methods to elevate music practical teaching in higher vocational preschool education. Acknowledging the pivotal role of higher vocational preschools in shaping the foundational years of a child's development, the study navigates through a comprehensive exploration of the significance of music education. Grounded in a robust literature review, the paper highlights the importance of curriculum design, instructional techniques, assessment methods, and the seamless integration of technology in shaping impactful music education experiences.Theoretical frameworks, notably the Suzuki Method and Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, offer insights into pedagogical and socio-cultural aspects, emphasizing the creation of positive and immersive musical environments and collaborative learning experiences. Subsequently, the paper presents effective strategies, including the incorporation of technology, active learning approaches, and the customization of lessons to individual needs. The multifaceted benefits of music practical teaching in cognitive, emotional, and social domains are explored, emphasizing its role in holistic preschooler development. The study advocates for continuous professional development for music educators, stressing the importance of staying abreast of evolving pedagogical trends, engaging in collaboration and networking, and remaining informed about current trends and research in music education. By embracing these strategies, educators can cultivate a vibrant and enriching musical environment that fosters a lifelong love for music and nurtures the holistic development of preschool learners.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF MATHEMATICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Several studies and statistical data point to Mathematics as the subject that most fails Elementary School students. In addition, children reach the fi nal grades seeing this subject as the bogeyman of schools. Given this context, this study presents refl ections and analyzes about the construction of mathematical knowledge in Early Childhood Education, whose purpose is to understand the implications of teaching practice in teaching Mathematics, understanding that Early Childhood Education is the primordial stage of Basic Education, in which the The child is in a phase of development of natural curiosity experiencing the discovery of the environment that surrounds him. In this context, Mathematics is a discipline that, if well worked, can contribute to the development of signifi cant skills that will help the child to better understand this world. However, the teacher’s intervention in working on mathematical knowledge linked to environmental issues in classroom activities will enable the student to develop such skills. The work is a part of the theoretical contribution that underlies the Doctoral Thesis that investigates the teaching practice in the construction of mathematical knowledge in preschool children. The study shows the importance of teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood Education, relating the construction of knowledge to children’s knowledge for meaningful learning in Preschool.

Exploring Teacher Expectations and Experiences in the Preschool-Primary School Transition Process

This research explored the expectations, experiences, and challenges felt by Preschool and Primary school teachers. The expectations, experiences, and challenges teachers face can be considered for policy direction, implementation guidelines, and developing transitional preschool learning methods more contextual to real-world conditions and needs. The participants in this study include three lower primary school teachers and two Grade B kindergarten teachers. The research approach used is qualitative-descriptive. The research findings indicate that teachers have expectations that the preschool-primary school transition process is not solely the responsibility of preschool or primary school teachers. Still, there should be continuity and a shared perception between preschool and primary school teachers to ensure a seamless transition process. The experiences and challenges teachers face in teaching children during the transition period include dealing with students with different characteristics, which requires teachers to analyse each student's specific needs, especially when they encounter difficulties during this transition