Abstract/Notes: This paper presents perspectives from early childhood practitioners of pre-school children’s (n = 100) social and emotional competencies upon entering pre-school and again after term three of the pre-school year. This research reports findings from five pre-school settings within rural and urban locations. A quantitative approach is used with pre-school practitioners completing the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and an Emotional Regulation Questionnaire to rate the children’s social and emotional competencies. Our findings indicate that many of the social and emotional competencies increase by the end of term three of the pre-school year. We report higher proficiencies in emotional competencies in comparison to their social competencies. Overall the findings suggest that children can transform their competencies during the pre-school year.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/09669760.2020.1865134

ISSN: 0966-9760

Abstract/Notes: Extant research studies have found that autonomy support has a positive impact on the perceived competence and intrinsic motivation of students. However, few studies have investigated how autonomy supportive classrooms can be implemented. Montessori education is established upon the philosophy of helping each child attain self-mastery and independence. It emphasizes that students be given autonomy to engage freely with their learning environment. This case study of an upper-elementary Montessori classroom found that the Montessori philosophy of education guided how teachers used autonomy supportive strategies. Teachers supported student organizational autonomy by allowing them choice in terms of school work and work partners. They fostered cognitive autonomy by encouraging student independent thinking, encouraging self-initiation, and honoring students’ voice. When implementing control, they acknowledged and respected student feelings, provided rationales for expected behavior, and suppressed criticism. Students surveyed rated themselves highly in terms of intrinsic motivation for schoolwork. Five guidelines are derived from this study to help teachers implement autonomy support in K-12 classrooms.

Language: English

DOI: 10.5296/ije.v2i2.511

ISSN: 1948-5476

Abstract/Notes: Despite great changes in the level and type of early childhood services in Ireland over the last decade, relatively little research has been carried out on this topic. We know little about the types of services used, the reason for particular choices, the numbers of children attending different settings and the experiences such children are having. In an effort to broaden the research base and learn more about the lives of our young children the authors undertook to take part in an international comparative study investigating the early experiences of children—the IEA Preprimary Project. This article provides an account of the recent developments in early education in Ireland, addresses the question of quality in service provision and describes Ireland's participation in the research project. [En dépit des grands changements qui ont eu lieu depuis une dizaine d'années le niveau et type d'assistance offerte a la petite enfance, tres peu de recherche a été faite dans ce domaine. Nous savons très peu de choses sur les types de services utilisés, les raisons pour les choix qui sont faits, le nombre d'enfants répartis par groupes de niveaux ainsi que les experiences vécues par ces enfants. Dans le but d'élargir la base de la recherche et aussi d'étudier la vie de nos jeunes enfants, les auteurs se sont engages a participer a une etude comparative Internationale qui examine les premieres experiences de jeunes enfants dans le cadre du ‘IEA Preprimary Project’. Cet article expose les récents développements dans l'enseignement des jeunes enfants en Irlande. Il addresse aussi la question de la qualité des services fournis et décrit la participation de l'Irlande dans ce projet de recherche. / A pesar de grandes cambios en la calidad y tipo de servicios de primera infancia acontecidos en Irlanda en la ultima década, relativamente escasa investigation ha sido desarrollada en este tema. Sabemos poco de los tipos de servicios empleados, el motivo de determinadas elecciones, el número de ninos que acudieron a los diferentes entornos y las experiencias que tales ninos han tenido. En un esfuerzo por ampliar la base investigadora y aprender más sobre las vidas de nuestros pequeños, los autores decidieron indagar en las primeras experiencias de los niños, tomando parte en un estudio comparativo international — IEA Preprimary Project. Este artículo ofrece un informe sobre los útimos progresos en la cuestión de primera education en Irlanda se pronuncia on el tema de la calidad en las prestaciones de cara al futuro y describe la participación de Irlanda en el proyecto de investigación.]

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/0966976970050105

ISSN: 0966-9760

Abstract/Notes: Since comprehensive evaluation of academic skills cannot be extensively conducted in early childhood, specific learning disabilities cannot be diagnosed in preschool-aged children. To evaluate academic skills, children must be school-aged and interventions cannot begin in the preschool period. However, specific learning disabilities in children may also be noticed during preschool. Preschool teachers need to determine which kids are at risk of having specific learning disabilities so that they can be detected early and an intervention provided. Preschool teachers need to be aware of the early signs of specific learning disabilities to distinguish between typically developing children and those at risk of having specific learning disabilities. In this review, studies describing the preschool characteristics of students at risk of having specific learning disabilities are examined, and the early signs of specific learning disabilities and early intervention processes are described based on the literature. Research suggests that the signs of specific learning disabilities can be seen in early childhood. The need for preschool teachers and families to be sensitive to the characteristics of children at risk of specific learning disabilities in the context of early intervention is discussed.

Language: English

DOI: 10.20489/intjecse.722383

ISSN: 1943-023X

Abstract/Notes: A brief history of the development of Early Childhood Care and Education in pre and post Independent India has been given first. The current situation of ECCE, teacher training and research has been described and the Research — Policy — Program interface has been delineated. Among the myriad issues confronting ECCE in the country a few have been selected for discussion. [Un bref historique du développement de l'accueil et de 1'éducation de la petite enfance de la période pré — et post Indepnédance est donné pour débuter. La situation actuelle ,1a formation des enseignants et la recherche ont été décrites et la Recherche — Politique — Programme envisagé ont été délimités. Parmi les myriades de sujets auxquels l'Accueil et l'Education de la Petite Enfance ont été confrontées quelques‐uns ont été sélectionnés pour la discussion. / Primero ha sido descrita una breve historia acerca del desarrollo del Cuidado Temprano de la Niñez y Educacion en la India pre y post independiente. Se ha descrito la situación presente de ECCE, el entrenamiento del profesorado e investigatión y la Investigación — la Política — el Programa común ha sido delineado. Dentro de los muchos miríados temas que confronta la ECCE en el país unos pocos han sido seleccionados para discusión.]

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/0966976940020103

ISSN: 0966-9760

Abstract/Notes: Preschool educators may observe that this unique historical period is an opportunity to integrate peace education into the educational program. The communication that has developed thanks to new technology has offered the opportunity for transformation. Teaching, nonviolence, conflict resolution, well-being, economic, political participation and interest in the environment can be considered as concepts of education for peace. This visionary idea includes global education, prevention of violence, character education and moral education. The educational program and methods of education for peace of preschool children (from birth to 8 years old) include different themes: 1) promote cooperation and resolve conflicts 2) respect for self and authority; 3) appreciation of diversity 4) the role of permeating cultural violence including television, video games, films and dramatic games stimulated by toys and representations of violent actions. These central themes contain the hope that the principles contained in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child will be applied. Parents' participation seen as essential agents in decision-making concerning their children is a fundamental concept. The study of this event produced a visionary model, identified as education for peace, with the participation of parents. OMEP members act as catalysts for peace education efforts with an emphasis on intercultural education. Peace education was, is and will be a goal of pre-school and primary education for all educators around the world. There is a great need for activities in preschool, primary and other educational programs to reduce tensions peacefully.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174500

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658

Abstract/Notes: "...Primary education starts at the age ofsix in Nepal. Parents were not aware of the need of institutional education for their preschool children before the establishment of a Montessori School by the government for the first time in 1949. This school was based on the philosophy of the early childhood educationalist Madam Montessori. Since then the idea of early childhood education started to grow in the context ofNepal. With the establishment of a College of Education (Now Faculty of Education) in 1956, the Montessori School was merged into its Laboratory School. Thus, this Montessori School lost its separate identity and started to work as a downward extension of the Laboratory School of the college. Since then, this model as a downward extension of primary school was followed by the private and boarding schools..."

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174504

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658

Abstract/Notes: The study described below compares the goals, beliefs, practices and training of early childhood educators from three different origins: Montessori, Traditional and the Association of Playgroups (PPA), and reports practice of a research in progress. The information was gathered by means of a questionnaire which was sent to early childhood practitioners and which covers various subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, free choice, accessible activities, scoring, role played and commitment of parents. There was consensus on the main goals of early childhood practitioners, but many differences emerged between groups for beliefs, practice and training. The importance of high quality training for early childhood practitioners has been demonstrated. The Traditional group appeared to have the highest level of training and the practice is more often than not to maintain contact with current research more than the other two Montessori and PPA groups.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174924

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658

Abstract/Notes: WHAT IS 'MONTESSORI'? To some the word 'Montessori' sounds Italian, vaguely familiar but unclear. To some teachers it is perhaps a name from their training days - a little old fashioned - or one of those schools where children do as they please - or where the children are so strictly controlled they are not allowed to play or is it about 'nurturing the little babe in your arms'? As a mainstream teacher, I came to Montessori when my own children attended a Montessori kindergarten - the only playgroup in my new home town with vacancies...

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174262

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658

Abstract/Notes: One of the schools visited was employing the Montessori method.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF03174287

ISSN: 0020-7187, 1878-4658