Practice In Early Childhood Education Research Articles

“A Life Full of Meaning”: The Lifework and Educational Approach of Malka Haas

ABSTRACT Malka Haas (1920–2021) was a key pioneer in the founding of Israeli kibbutz kindergartens, and she profoundly influenced both the curriculum and practice of early childhood education (ECE) for the entire country. The article reviews Haas’s biography, her professional development, and the main principles in her educational approach: “the kindergarten as a whole life,” based on the significant experiences of the child in connection with the community and the Jewish tradition. The article also describes the sources of inspiration from which Haas drew her ideas and the impact of her approach on educational concepts for ECE in Israel today.

Multiple lenses to understand and shape multilingual literacy practices in Early Childhood Education

ABSTRACT Programs of multilingual education in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) are promising because they contribute to the development of young children’s language and literacy as well as their multilingual identities. In practice, many educators are unsure of how to engage children in multilingual literacy activities and policy often falls short of providing adequate guidance. The present paper investigates the case of Luxembourg where a multilingual program has been implemented over the last years. We draw on the continua of biliteracy to examine the range of language and literacy practices of 12 educators who worked with two to four-year-olds in three private, commercial centers differing in regional location, urban or suburban setting, and dominant language spoken. Using the lenses of the biliteracy continua of context, media, content, and development, we analyze examples, explain differing practices, and explore the educators’ varied understandings of languaging, literacy, and learning. We thereby demonstrate that the continua are a heuristic for research, teaching, and policymaking in multilingual environments. We conclude with implications for professional development, policymakers, and researchers.

‘유아교육과정’ 교과목 수업 개선 실천

This study explored the student agency changes of prospective early childhood teachers revealed in the process of improving the ‘Early Childhood Education Curriculum’ subject at S University in the metropolitan area. The research participants were 56 students from the Department of Early Childhood Education at S University and one professor who is the researcher oneself for the purpose of improving the 'Early Childhood Education Curriculum' class, the early childhood education curriculum theory lectures, on-site field classes, and TBL(Team Based Learning) were used to provide education to children. Research materials include kindergarten visit reports, research participants' PPT for early childhood education program presentation and key summaries, learning portfolios, class improvement reflection sheets, and researchers' research notes. The data collected during the research process was categorized based on specific concepts and reclassified based on the research problem through inductive content analysis. Excitement was mainly showed when the exercise of student agency was executed and field visit to kindergartens, and unfamiliarity was expressed through TBL early childhood education program presentations and discussion classes and learning portfolio experiences. Second, after improving the ‘Early Childhood Education Curriculum’ class, it is said that students came to recognize themselves as learners who formed student agency at the intersection of reflection and practice. I found autonomy like a compass through TBL, and through kindergarten field-related classes, they found themselves as a valuable resource as a early childhood teacher who lacked understanding of the connection between early childhood education theory and practice. Based on this study, we hope to become a systematic turning point in teaching-learning methods for improving theoretical classes to train high-quality pre-service early childhood teachers.

Enhancing Logical Thinking in Preschoolers: The Educational Block Media Approach

The capacity for logical thinking is crucial in early childhood development, facilitating the ability to reason and analyze from multiple perspectives to form concrete conclusions. This study investigates the effect of educational block media on enhancing logical thinking abilities among preschool children aged 4-5 years. Employing a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group format, the research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these tools in an educational setting. Forty children from a kindergarten class were chosen through purposive sampling as the study's participants. The data collection involved administering performance tests, both before and after the introduction of the educational blocks, to assess the children's logical thinking skills quantitatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21, which included tests for Normality, Homogeneity, and the Independent Sample t-test to compare the experimental and control groups' scores. The results showed that the experimental group, which used the educational block media, significantly outperformed the control group in the posttest, with mean scores of 15.65 and 9.90, respectively. The statistical analysis supported these results with a t-test yielding a significance level of 0.000, confirming the positive impact of the educational blocks on the development of logical thinking skills. The findings highlight the effectiveness of using tangible educational tools like blocks in stimulating cognitive processes among young children. This study provides valuable implications for early childhood education practices, recommending integrating educational block media into teaching strategies to enhance cognitive development. It also suggests areas for further research, particularly in the longitudinal impact of such educational interventions on child development over time.

Indicators of learning disabilities among kindergarten students from the perspective of their teachers

Introduction. The study of children's learning disabilities is highly relevant to the global scientific community for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, early identification and intervention in learning disabilities among kindergarten students can significantly impact their long-term academic and social development. By shedding light on indicators of learning disabilities from the perspective of teachers, this research contributes vital insights that can inform evidence-based practices and policies aimed at improving the educational outcomes of young children worldwide. In the vibrant city of Amman, where educational paradigms are progressively evolving, it is crucial to scrutinize the indicators of learning disabilities at this fundamental stage. This research paper aims to fill a critical knowledge gap by delving into the manifestations and indicators of learning disabilities among kindergarten student, as observed and reported by their dedicated teachers in Amman. Study participants and methods. Engaging a sample of 183 teachers (Jordan, Amman), the study examines the relationship between demographic characteristics (age, years of experience, and level of education) and teachers’ observations of learning disabilities, intervention strategies employed, and the sufficiency of professional development and administrative support received. Results. Demographically, the majority of participants were in the age groups of 20-29 (39.9%) and 30-39 (44.3%), with 75.4% holding Bachelor's Degrees. In terms of learning disabilities observation, a substantial number of teachers agreed (38.3%) or strongly agreed (31.7%) that students exhibited difficulty following instructions, and a similar pattern was observed for poor academic performance, with 35.5% agreeing and 35.5% strongly agreeing. Behavioral issues were acknowledged by 39.3%, and 29% strongly agreed. For social interaction problems, 31.7% agreed, and 27.9% strongly agreed. In terms of intervention strategies, peer tutoring was perceived as effective by 36.6% who agreed and 39.9% who strongly agreed. Visual and auditory learning aids were viewed positively, with 41% agreeing and 42.6% strongly agreeing on their effectiveness. Individualized learning plans also garnered support, with 35% agreeing and 36.6% strongly agreeing. In terms of professional development and support, the majority found the frequency of training sessions (53.6%) and the quality of training materials (56.3%) to be adequate, while a significant proportion indicated administrative support (53.6%) as adequate. Practical significance. These findings hold practical significance for educators, policymakers, and scholars, serving as a vital resource for informing policy decisions and pedagogical practices in early childhood education. Additionally, they offer a solid groundwork for future research and the formulation of effective strategies to address learning disabilities in this critical educational domain.

DETERMINANTS OF SERVICE QUALITY FACTORS AND PARENT SATISFACTION IN CHILDCARE CENTRE


 
 
 
 This study delves into the intricate dynamics of Malaysian childcare centres, focusing specifically on the elements that contribute to service quality and, ultimately, parental satisfaction. The research seeks to understand the underlying connections and impacts of various factors on parent satisfaction, excluding the aspect of educational leadership. With potential adverse outcomes from poor service quality, such as suboptimal child development and parental stress, this study aims to identify the key factors that enhance service experiences in early childhood settings. Adopting a quantitative approach, the study utilizes a causal research design to explore the relationships between various service quality elements and parent satisfaction. A comprehensive survey method was employed, offering a cross- sectional snapshot of opinions from parents with children in Malaysian childcare services. The study's design ensures precision in testing hypotheses, with findings analysed using advanced statistical tools like SPSS and PLS-SEM. The hypothesis testing reveals interesting insights. It shows the rejection of certain assumed direct impacts of basic facilities, curriculum, and program structure on parent satisfaction. However, other factors emerged as significant in shaping parental perceptions. Notably, the study found that specific service quality factors, particularly in the domain of student interactions, play a crucial role in determining parent satisfaction. The research methodology included a pilot study in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, for preliminary validation of the survey instruments. Purposive sampling selected 318 parents from various childcare centres, ensuring a relevant and focused sample. The findings indicate that while some service quality aspects may not directly influence parent satisfaction, others are crucial. The study’s implications are significant for policy and practice in early childhood education, emphasizing the enhancement of specific service quality factors as a strategy to uplift parent satisfaction in Malaysian childcare centres. This research adds an important dimension to the understanding of service quality and parent satisfaction in the context of early childhood education.
 
 
 

Cinematographic language: possibilities for work in early childhood education

The present article addresses the application of cinematographic language in educational practices aimed at Early Childhood Education. The central objective is to highlight the relevance of structured planning for the integration of this language, considering children as active participants in all stages related to this practice. In this perspective, the work is divided into stages. The first stage provides a brief history of cinema and its incorporation into education, with a focus on Early Childhood Education. The second stage discusses the importance of planning educational practices in Early Childhood Education. The third stage presents a real possibility of working with cinema based on interviews with teachers. In this way, it seeks to contribute to the broadening of understanding regarding the intersection between Early Childhood Education and Cinema, offering concrete possibilities for effective planning led by teachers from a Municipal Early Childhood Education Center. This planning aims to encompass meaningful proposals grounded in cinematographic language. The research methodology is qualitative, employing semi-structured interviews as a tool for data collection, directed towards teachers and children involved in the investigated educational context.

Staff self-assessment of ECEC practices in meeting language diversity in Finland

The study examines language aware practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Finland. In Finland, the number of citizens with languages other than the national languages is estimated to increase, and population growth is dependent on migration. Children enrolled in ECEC have increasingly diverse language backgrounds. This calls for adjusting pedagogical practices to the needs of multilingual children only starting to familiarise themselves with the language of instruction. The data analysed were part of a national survey. A total of 882 respondents working in ECEC answered the survey. For this study, we concentrated on two open questions: “What kinds of practices do you have to support the language learning of children with an immigration background?” (N = 538) and “What kinds of needs to develop practices have you identified regarding language learning of children with an immigrant background or organising linguistic support?” (N = 509). Qualitative content analysis was used as an analytical approach. Our findings were condensed to a model consisting of six steps of language aware ECEC. The first three steps were well implemented according to the data. However, more attention is still needed to fully support language aware teachers, teams and systems.

Language-learning tools used in Norwegian ECEC

The article presents the findings from a qualitative content analysis of three language-learning tools used in Norwegian kindergartens. While the holistic approach to learning has been central to Norwegian early childhood education and care, the use of manual-based programs and tools can reflect a shift towards a school-readiness approach. The findings from the analysis show that the language-learning tools promote a view of language as an instrument for academic work and reading abilities in school, with a focus on isolated language components and majority language acquisition for children with minority home languages. This language view reflects the school-readiness approach’s focus on early intervention and problem prevention. The article draws on language policy research and contributes to the ongoing discussion on the standardization of pedagogical practices in Norwegian early childhood education and its consequences for the child-centered and holistic approach to play, learning, and care.

Exploring Family Engagement and Learning Outcomes in Early Childhood Education Programs in Brazil

This study explores family engagement and its impact on learning outcomes in early childhood education programs in Brazil. Through detailed case studies and empirical analysis, the research investigates the effectiveness of various strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting family-school partnerships. The case studies highlight community-based approaches and technology integration, while empirical analysis reveals the correlation between family engagement levels and children’s learning outcomes. Key findings underscore the importance of inclusive and culturally responsive practices in fostering strong family-school relationships. Implications for policy and practice in early childhood education are discussed, emphasizing the need for continued research and collaboration to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all children in Brazil.

Developing Indonesian Vocabulary Through the Application of the Mind Mapping Method in Children

Purpose of the study: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of implementing the mind map method in improving the Indonesian language vocabulary skills of children in Group B at Kindergarten School Al Khairiyah Kota Bandar Lampung.
 Methodology: This research uses qualitative methods with classroom action research as the main tool to teach Indonesian vocabulary to 19 group B children at Al Khairiyah Kindergarten, Bandar Lampung City with total sampling. Data collection, namely observation, documentation and analysis, was carried out to assess the impact of the method on vocabulary acquisition.
 Main Findings: In Cycle 1, the mind map method was applied in two meetings with a focus on the theme of food and drink, resulting in an increase in Indonesian vocabulary. Cycle 2 continued this approach with improvements to the clothing theme lesson, which resulted in significant improvements in students' understanding and response to the material. Overall, the application of mind map method proved effective in improving the Indonesian vocabulary skills of Group B children at Al Khairiyah Kindergarten, Bandar Lampung City.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This study contributes to the field by demonstrating the effectiveness of the mind map method in improving vocabulary acquisition among young learners. This research is offers practical insights for educators seeking innovative approaches to language teaching and learning, which have the potential to advance pedagogical practices in early childhood education.

The Soviet and Post-Soviet Anthrobscenes: Speculations from Cheburaska to Khulkulya

This paper seeks to investigate the representation of and presence of non-human animals through the framework of new media theorist Jussi Parikka's conceptualization of the "Anthrobscene."Additionally, an examination of Marxist-Leninist thought concerning both environmentalist policies and practices of early childhood education is essential to formulating a well-rounded understanding of the innate political nature of these anthropomorphic representations and, in turn, how the treatment of animals, both domestic and wild, are considered reflexively by the Soviet state and the current Russian Federation through both a Soviet example (Cheburashka the abstracted and unspecified mouse-cat-primate creature) and a more modern environmentalist mascot (Khokhulya the Russian desman), both of which are duly reflective of their political contexts and social imaginings. Through an analysis of historical contextualizations and the modern mascot representation of the animal as a means of either social or philosophical change as well as practical environmentalist aims under the new capitalistic system post-1990s, Cheburashka and Khokhulya respectively serve to articulate and exemplify a comparison between the ideological functions of both economic systems within the broader field of animal and early childhood media studies.

Direct and interactive effects of attendance rates on growth in language, literacy and mathematics skills for children enrolled in voluntary preschool programs

Attendance plays an important role in student academic success; yet few studies examine associations between preschool attendance rates and academic skills for children enrolled in early childhood programs. To address this gap, this population-based study examined associations between preschool attendance rates and language, literacy and mathematics skill growth for a cohort of four-year-old children (N = 20,414) enrolled in a state-funded public prekindergarten program within an urban county (N = 1,720 classrooms, N = 922 programs). Measures included linked administrative data on preschool attendance and program-administered direct assessments of oral language, literacy, and mathematics. Latent growth curve analysis (LGCA) found that attendance rates were associated with greater rates of change in all academic skills across the preschool year, controlling for child demographic covariates, preschool program provider type, and neighborhood risk. In addition, higher attendance benefited children more who entered preschool with lower initial academic skills as compared to children who entered preschool with higher academic skills. Implications of the findings, including future directions, and application to early childhood education policy and practice are shared.

Enhancing Fine Motor Skills in Early Childhood Through Fun Cooking Activities: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Purwakarta, Indonesia

This quasi-experimental study investigates the impact of engaging in cooking activities on fine motor skill development in kindergarten children aged 4-5 in Purwakarta, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Adopting a Nonequivalent Control Group Design, the research compared two groups: an experimental group participating in fun cooking activities and a control group following traditional teaching methods. Pretest and posttest assessments were conducted using a rating scale-based observation tool to measure fine motor skills. The intervention comprised three sessions of cooking activities, focusing on enhancing fine motor abilities. Data analysis utilized the N-Gain score method to quantify skill improvements. Results revealed a medium N-Gain score in the experimental group, indicating a significant enhancement in fine motor skills due to the cooking activities. In contrast, the control group showed no significant change. These findings suggest that fun cooking activities effectively develop fine motor skills in early childhood, offering a practical and engaging alternative to conventional teaching methods. This study's implications extend to curriculum design in early childhood education, advocating for integrating diverse and interactive activities. However, its limited geographical scope and the short duration of the intervention point to the need for further research. Future studies should explore long-term effects and broader applicability, potentially impacting policies and practices in early childhood education. This research adds to the growing body of literature that supports innovative and engaging learning approaches in the foundational years of schooling.

Educational leadership in early childhood education: Participant vulnerability and a ‘rule of care’

There is considerable literature describing the use of Change Laboratory as a simultaneous research and intervention methodology in workplace settings. However, there is limited literature describing Change Laboratory from the researcher-facilitator perspective. This paper examines the ethical dimensions of Change Laboratory from this perspective and specifically how a ‘rule of care’ became a conscious rule. The context is a series of Change Laboratories implemented with Centre Directors and Educational Leaders from early childhood education and care centres in Darwin and Melbourne, Australia. Based on our analysis we attribute the emergence of this rule to a particular vulnerability of the participants: that they were all recruited from centres that had been publicly designated as Working Towards National Quality Standard requirements for quality early childhood education and care practices. We present evidence of this ‘rule of care’ in our work as researcher-facilitators from our data. We conclude that attention to a ‘rule of care’ is necessary to support transformation, particularly for vulnerable participants such as Educational Leaders.

‘I feel like the Wicked Witch’: Identifying tensions between school readiness policy and teacher beliefs, knowledge and practice in Early Childhood Education

AbstractThis paper critically examines the tensions arising between Reception teachers' professional beliefs and knowledge, and the school readiness agenda in England. It scrutinises how the increasing academic expectations placed on children to ensure they are ‘ready for school’ may conflict with teachers' understanding of how young children learn, their pedagogical philosophies and classroom practices. In this paper, cultural‐historical activity theory (CHAT) is utilised as a methodological and analytical framework, specifically harnessing Engeström and Sannino's work on ‘manifestations of contradictions’. This theoretical lens is applied to elucidate the specific contradictions that surface at the policy–practice interface and to explore how teachers navigate these conflicts and tensions. Data were gathered through interviews with two Reception teachers and analysed to identify four distinct contradiction categories: dilemmas, double binds, critical conflicts and conflicts. The findings make a critical contribution to ongoing debates about the implications of the school readiness agenda on teacher beliefs, professional knowledge and the impact on children. Furthermore, this paper extends an original contribution to the practical application of CHAT in Early Childhood Education (ECE) research and emphasises the utility of identifying linguistic cues as an effective strategy to reveal contradictions in textual data, thereby furthering understanding of policy–practice tensions in ECE.

Post-COVID-19 Własne pokoje: Wnioski wyciągnięte z wirtualnych projektów rozwoju zawodowego przeznaczonych dla nauczycieli wczesnego dzieciństwa w Ontario

This paper reflects and explores lessons learned during two professional learning series related to the pedagogical practices of early childhood educators (ECEs) in Ontario, Canada. Drawing on a comparative analysis of our observations, collaborative inquiries, and discussions, we underline post-COVID-19 conditions that change how we think, engage, and envision possibilities in professional learning. We discuss the way the use of technology at the intersection of time and space and carefully chosen pedagogical approaches pushed us to reconsider current practices used in the design of professional learning activities, the implementation, and the responses to educators’ learning. We focus on the way technology helped us envision and plan for virtual rooms as environments as third teachers. Trading the traditional professional workshop-like activities with fixed time boundaries for virtual café-style learning, introducing design thinking, distributed leadership, Indigenous world views, and rhizomatic wonderings, we discuss our decisions to change the directions of professional learning from focusing on skill development and transmission of knowledge to enhancing dispositions needed to become lifelong learners, innovators, and advocates. We conclude the paper with invitations and provocations for educators, academics, researchers, and regulatory bodies to further discuss professional learning activities for the early childhood education (ECE) community in Ontario. In brief, we focus on removing the dividing practices between professional learning activities and pedagogical approaches as a starting point to envision possibilities in Ontario’s ECE field.

Big and small, girls and boys: intersecting gendered touch practices in early childhood educators’ discourses

ABSTRACT In this study, we argue that touch is a way of producing gender in preschool and our aim is to explore different kinds of matters that intersect with gendered touch practices in this context. Our theoretical starting points draw on the performativity of gender and the discursively constructed touch practices of early childhood educators. We analyse these discourses by employing intersectional analysis. The data consist of three group discussions among 27 female early childhood educators. The findings suggest that gendered touch practices intersect across children’s age, materiality, time, place, and heteronormative assumptions. Furthermore, cultural conventions affect the ways in which children are touched and the kinds of touch that are considered appropriate in relation to gender.

Inquiry-based project learning as an approach to foster wellbeing, sustained focus, and bi-cultural practice in early childhood education

Rapid technology advancements and global responses to sustainability have had a transformational impact on education in the 21st century. As early childhood teachers in Aotearoa/New Zealand respond these challenges, many have recognised the potential inquiry-based project learning (IBPL) has to transform learning for children through empowering them to discover answers through collaboration, representation, reflection and dialogue. This paper explores a current research project in Aotearoa/New Zealand examining how early childhood teachers have interpreted global and local discourses on IBPL and how this impacts children’s learning. The research utilised narrative inquiry to examine the experiences of six early childhood communities using this approach. The study found that IBPL contributes to environments of wellbeing and sustained focus for both children and teachers when relationships and time are prioritised and inquiries are focused on place, and that this approach can create pathways for early childhood teachers to enact rich bi-cultural practice.

The Empowering Ecopedagogical Communities and Restructuring Environment-Based Early Childhood Education Curriculum in Coal Mining Regions

The Early Childhood Education Curriculum should always be thoughtfully tailored to contextual conditions. For institutions situated in coal mining regions, an environmentally-based curriculum becomes imperative to address the ongoing exploitation of the environment. However, it has come to light that Early Childhood Education institutions in coal mining areas have not aligned their curricula with these contextual considerations. In response to this discrepancy, a Participatory Action Research (PAR) initiative was undertaken by a team of researchers in collaboration with mentor subjects, who are Early Childhood Education teachers in the Hatungun, Binuang, Tapin Selatan, and Salam Babaris Districts. The overarching goal was to rectify this less-than-ideal situation. The series of PAR activities proved to be transformative, leading to the graduation of 38 community members equipped with the ability to design, implement, and evaluate environment-based Early Childhood Education practices. This achievement represents a significant step toward nurturing a generation of educators who can effectively engage with the unique challenges of coal mining regions, fostering sustainable and responsible approaches to education that align with the local environmental context. Ultimately, it paves the way for a more harmonious relationship between early childhood education and the environment, contributing to the broader goal of mitigating environmental exploitation.