Abstract/Notes: Research Findings: This paper presents findings from an exploratory study to define associations between social–emotional teaching practices and teacher characteristics through a person-centered approach. The sample consisted of 97 teachers working in center-based early childhood education settings with young children ages 2–5 in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. We analyzed teachers’ observed classroom social–emotional teaching practices and self-reported Professional Development (PD) experiences, job attitudes (e.g., job-related stress, satisfaction, and commitment), and disciplinary efficacy to identify profile membership of teachers. A latent profile analysis revealed 4 profiles: (a) higher practice quality, higher PD experience, higher job attitudes, and higher disciplinary efficacy, (b) higher practice quality, mixed PD experience, lower job attitudes, and lower disciplinary efficacy, (c) lower practice quality, mixed PD experience, higher job attitudes, and higher disciplinary efficacy, and (d) lower practice quality, mixed PD experience, mixed job attitudes, and lower disciplinary efficacy. Practice or Policy: The results suggest that a person-centered approach to understanding classroom quality might provide multiple dimensions to consider for quality improvement. Additionally, a tailored and tiered professional development approach to support the early childhood workforce is needed that considers the complex connections between teachers’ practices, beliefs, and job attitudes.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2020.1857215

ISSN: 1040-9289, 1556-6935

Abstract/Notes: This study tested the hypothesis that curriculum type (Montessori and constructivist) moderates the impact of temperament (specifically activity level and attention-persistence) on the classroom behavior of 3- to 5-year-old children. Mothers enrolled in Montessori and constructivist preschools filled out the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory. The children’s teachers filled out the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire and the Preschool Adjustment Questionnaire. A near-significant trend suggested that temperamentally active boys were more likely to be perceived by their teachers as having behavior problems if they were enrolled in Montessori programs than if they were enrolled in constructivist programs. There was no such trend for girls. There was no evidence that temperamental attention span persistence moderated the impact of curriculum type on either boys’ or girls’ behavior. The findings thus give modest support to the notion that parents should be advised to select constructivist early childhood programs especially for boys who are temperamentally predisposed to be highly modifying their teaching practices to better accommodate the needs of these children active. In addition, directors and teachers in Montessori programs may consider

Language: English

DOI: 10.1207/s15566935eed1102_3

ISSN: 1040-9289, 1556-6935

Abstract/Notes: Assessments provide teachers with essential information regarding children’s learning. Alternative education systems offer insight into ways that assessments can be redesigned to be developmentally appropriate to particular ages, including unique stances on what defines assessment, who should assess, and what should be assessed. We examined themes of early childhood assessment through a review of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf (also called Steiner). Each of these three alternative systems emphasize assessments designed to understand every child’s learning as unique. Many of the practices used align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) current recommendations regarding developmentally appropriate assessment. There is a clear acknowledgement that engagement, not just specific knowledge, is particularly important to assess. To assess engagement, classrooms must be carefully constructed learning environments that implement individualized assessment techniques, such as observation. As children engage in developmentally appropriate experiences, teachers assess their individual learning patterns. Specific components of each system contribute to effective and informative assessment, for example collected artifacts and documentation from children’s work (Reggio), activities and materials designed to show children when an error is made (Montessori), and participation in classic stories (Waldorf). The increased focus these systems place on assessing during interactive learning experiences answered NAEYC’s current recommendations regarding assessment as well as on-going calls in education reform for a child-centered approach to learning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-022-01353-y

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: Although children’s physical environments play an important role in their development, there have been few empirical studies on the interior design of early childhood centres. This is partly due to a lack of adequate methods and instruments for the systematic spatial investigation of educational environments. In light of this, the following paper presents a qualitative method for such systematic investigation, which we shall call visual environment analysis. It also presents the results of the application of this method to ten early childhood centre environments, which can be ranged between the two extremes of restraint and expressiveness. The analysis shows that early childhood centre environments may be shaped by partly conflicting aims, such as giving children as much freedom as possible on the one hand and providing them with a stimulating atmosphere on the other. The paper therefore discusses both visual environment analysis as a method and, in applying this method, the interior design of a number of educational environments.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-018-0914-x

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: Investigated experiences in a multiage classroom, especially from the child's and parents' perspectives. Found that despite concerns, in the multiage classroom each child is allowed to progress at his or her own pace; individuality is valued; competition is lessened; and children have more time to develop relationships. (Author/SD)

Language: English

DOI: 10.1023/A:1009590724987

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: The changes in the social and economic structure of India have intensified the need for universal early childhood education. The formidable challenges before the Indian Government are: to provide high quality early childhood education programs; to preserve indigenous practices such as multilinguality, family/community involvement, participation of older children as caretakers of their younger siblings; and to provide early childhood education to all children despite serious financial constraints. This article presents a brief overview of the traditional childrearing practices in India, chronicles government initiatives in early childhood education, describes the range of programs available in India, and identifies goals that will shape the future of early childhood programs in India.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/BF02430544

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: Culture and child development have been seen as two separate sources of early childhood curriculum. Essentially they are closely related, since culture heavily influences development. We can see the influence of culture on development. In looking at programs of early childhood education from different countries, we can also see how the culture of each country influences the content of the early childhood curriculum.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/0300443961230101

ISSN: 0300-4430, 1476-8275

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori Method is accepted as an alternative education model today. Although it was spread out in USA at the beginning of the 20th century, it is currently used and accepted all over the world. Although its application in pre-education is common, it has also been adopted and applied at different levels. The Montessori method differs from traditional education not only in terms of approach to students, teachers, discipline, and school environment, but also in the way it uses certain materials in its education. According to Maria Montessori, kids should be at the center of education, and the duty of teacher is to observe and guide children. The Montessori method, which is mostly applied in general education, is also used in the education of religion, values, and morals. In this study, besides Maria Montessori's thoughts on general education, her thoughts on religious education are also discussed. This research focuses on Montessori schools in Indiana, United States -. In this study, the qualitative research method and the phenomenological approach are adopted. Observation, interview, and document analysis are used as data collection tools. The subject of the study is the discussion of the Montessori method in terms of research results in religion, values and moral education and Montessori’s point of view on the subject. All participants, who work as instructors in Montessori schools, determined by maximum diversity and snowball sampling, Observation in Montessori schools and the program of one of them is used as an aid in the interpretation of the research findings. / Montessori eğitim metodu, özellikle okul öncesi eğitim olmak üzere, eğitimin farklı kademelerinde benimsenmiş ve uygulanmıştır. Montessori eğitim metodunun, geleneksel eğitimden öğrenci, öğretmen, disiplin, okul ortamı, kullanılan materyaller ve gelişim özelliklerine yaklaşım noktasında farklılaştığı kabul edilmektedir. Daha çok genel eğitimde uygulanan Montessori metodu, din, değer ve ahlak eğitiminde de kullanılmaktadır. Bu araştırma, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri Indiana Eyaleti’nde bulunan Montessori okullarını konu edinmektedir. Çalışmada, nitel araştırma yöntemi kapsamında fenomenolojik yaklaşım benimsenmiş olup, veri toplama aracı olarak gözlem, görüşme ve doküman incelemesi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın konusu, maksimum çeşitlilik ve kartopu yoluyla seçilen Montessori eğitmenlerinden oluşan çalışma grubu ile Montessori metodunda din, değer ve ahlak eğitimini tartışmaktır. Araştırmaya katılan Montessori okullarında yapılan gözlemler ve bir okula ait program incelemesi araştırma bulgularının yorumlarında yardımcı olarak kullanılmıştır.

Language: Turkish

DOI: 10.15745/da.931903

ISSN: 1301-966X

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246