Language: English

ISSN: 0010-700X

Language: Finnish

Published: Kajaani, FInland: Kajaaani opettajankoulutuslaitos, 1995

ISBN: 951-42-4318-8

Series: Olulun yliopiston Kajaanin opettajankoulutuslaitoksen julkaisuja

Language: English

ISSN: 0065-9444

Abstract/Notes: The physical environment in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions provide children with possibilities for play. This study describes a physical environmental intervention aiming to increase the possibilities for functional play in the indoor environment, and its influence on children’s well-being and physical activity. The intervention involved the establishment of a tumbling space with soft surfaces, mats and big construction materials. The sample consists of video observations of 65 children’s free play in seven ECEC institutions at two data points. Multilevel regression analysis indicates that children’s physical activity and functional play is strongly related to the use of a tumbling space, and that the intervention group had a higher increase in functional play following the intervention compared to the control group. The impact of the tumbling space on well-being is limited. The results indicate that targeting children’s possibilities for functional play may be beneficial form a health promotion standpoint.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2019.1651305

ISSN: 0300-4430, 1476-8275

Language: English

ISSN: 0065-9444

Abstract/Notes: A general rethinking of the school system is underway. Today, the purpose of school is to prepare students for rapid change and the complexity of reality so that they are not overwhelmed. Executive cognitive functions have been shown to be fundamental to this purpose, specifically thoughtful planning of an idea, reflexivity, systematic approach to a task/problem, and the ability to stay focused. These are the skills that tomorrow's leaders will need (Diamond and Lee, 2011). But what theoretical and instructional models exist that aim to develop the cognitive skills necessary to succeed in school and in life? How and to what extent are the pedagogical principles of these models reflected in the organization of the physical learning space? This paper aims to trace some of the methods that promote the development of executive cognitive skills and examine how they organize the learning space.   Ambienti di apprendimento che potenziano il funzionamento cognitivo degli studenti. È in atto un ripensamento generale del sistema scolastico. Oggi la finalità della scuola è di preparare gli studenti ai rapidi cambiamenti e alla complessità del reale in modo che non ne siano travolti. Fondamentali a questo scopo si sono rivelate le funzioni cognitive di tipo esecutivo, in particolare la pianificazione mentale di un’idea, la riflessività, la sistematicità nell’affrontare un compito/problema e la capacità di rimanere concentrati. Queste sono le competenze di cui avranno bisogno i leader di domani (Diamond & Lee, 2011). Ma quali sono i modelli teorici e didattici che si propongono di sviluppare le competenze cognitive necessarie per avere successo a scuola e nella vita? Come e in che misura i principi educativi di questi modelli si riflettono sull’organizzazione dello spazio fisico di apprendimento? Questo contributo si propone di ripercorrere alcuni tra i metodi che favoriscono lo sviluppo di competenze cognitive di tipo esecutivo e di indagare come organizzano lo spazio formativo.

Language: Italian

DOI: 10.36253/form-12606

ISSN: 1825-7321

Abstract/Notes: This paper highlights the differences and similarities between a Kindergarten outside Bremen in Lower Saxony, Germany and a Primary School Junior Infant Class in County Cork, Republic of Ireland. Both are concerned with the education of the young child but whereas the Kindergarten is attended by three to six year olds, the Junior Infant Class caters almost exclusively for four to five year old children. A case study account of both groups is given and an analysis of the activities which took place in each using the ‘Target Child Observational Schedule’ [Sylva et al., (1980)] is presented in bar‐graph form. The paper concludes that Erzieherinnen, Kinderpflegerinnen and Junior Infant Class teachers need to engage in more interaction with the children in order, in particular, to raise the frequency and quality of linguistic interaction. An increase in the structure of the children's play would help to enhance cognitive development. [Cet article souligne les differences et les similitudes entre un Jardin d'Enfants en Basse Saxonie, près de Brème (Allemagne) et une classe maternelle dans le comtè de Cork (République d'Irlande). Les deux établissements sont charges de l'éducation de jeunes enfants, mais tandis que les élèves du Jardin d'Enfants sont ages d'entre trois et six ans, la classe de maternelle ne s ‘occupe pratiquement exclusivement que d'enfants de quatre a six ans. On donnera un compte‐rendu de l'étude de cas faite sur les deux groupes, ainsi qu'une presentation sous forme de graphique en barres de l'analyse des activites proposées de part et d'autre, basée sur le Programme d'observation cible de l'enfant du Professeur Kathy Sylva (1980). En conclusion, nous avancerons que les Erzieherinnen, les Kinderpflegerin et les enseignants de la classe maternelle doiventfaire preuve de davantage d'interaction avec les enfants afin, en particulier, d'élever le niveau auquel de tels enfants parlent. Une structuration accrue des activites ludiques des enfants aurait également pour résultat un développement cognitif plus rapide. / Este ensayo trata de las diferencias y semejanzas entre un prescolar en la baja Sajonia, en las afueras de Bremen, Alemania, y una Clase Junior Infantil en la Escuela Primaria del Condado de Cork, en la República de Irlanda. Los dos sistemas se ocupan de la education de niños en la primera infancia pero, mientras que el prescolar se ocupa de niños entre las edades de tres y seis años, la Clase Junior Infantil se dedica casi exclusivamente a los niños de cuatro a cinco anos de edad. Este papel describe un caso particular de cada uno de estos dos grupos asi como de las actividades que tuvieron lugar en cada uno de ellos, utilizando Target Child Observational Schedule (1980) de Kathy Sylva, y que se presentan a manera de gráfica de barras. Es estudio llega a la conclusion de que los educadores de Erzieherinnen, Kinderpflegerin y de las Clases Infantiles Junior necesitan aumentar la interactión con el niho para elevar, especialmente, el nivel en el que estos nihos hablan. Un incremento en la estuctura del juego de los nihos también resultaria en la mejora del desarrollo cognitivo.]

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/0966976950030303

ISSN: 0966-9760

Abstract/Notes: 62 English-speaking preschool children were divided into three groups, a Montessori group (n = 21), a traditional preschool group (n = 21), and a homestaying group (n = 20) to compare their relative cognitive and social-emotional development. Significant differences in favour of the school groups were found for vocabulary, language comprehension, ability to judge the correctness of figural stimuli, visual memory, and perceptual organization. No differences were found for social-emotional development, and no relationship existed between type of preschool and level of development.

Language: English

DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1989.65.2.480

ISSN: 0033-2941

Abstract/Notes: Esta investigación parte del supuesto que girar la mirada hacia el diseño de ambientes como dispositivo para potenciar el juego en la primera infancia, implica un movimiento en la comprensión de las prácticas docentes que podría llevar a cuestionarse, entre otros: el rol del maestro, las características en el desarrollo de los niños y las niñas, su necesidad de actividad libre y autónoma y su juego dentro de ambientes diseñados para tal fin. Este estudiocuyo objetivo fuepromover y estudiar la reflexión sobre el diseño de ambientes para el juego, desde la práctica de un grupo de profesores; se fundamenta en una visión de la educación cuyo fin específico es potenciar el desarrollo infantil. Se inspira en algunos autores representativos en el campo de estudio, como Montessori, Decroly, más recientemente, Malajovich, Glanzer, Abad, Hoyuelos, Schön, entre otros. El marco metodológico escogido es la investigación-acción desarrollando los ciclos de planeación, acción, observación, reflexión, con el grupo de docentes involucrados en el trabajo. El resultado más destacado de esta investigación fuehacer visible el saber que surge a partir de la reflexión de la propia experiencia, en torno al diseño de ambientes para el juego. Además de lo anterior contribuyó a que los maestros se sintieran reconocidos y valorados en su quehacer docente y permitió contemplar institucionalmente tiempos y espacios para el encuentro y la reflexión del colectivo de maestras. / This research focuses on the design of environments as a device to enhance the game in early childhood which implies a movement to the understanding of teaching practices that could lead to question, among other matters: the teachers’ role, the features of children’s development, the need for free and independent activity of play environments designed for that purpose. This study aims to promote reflection and study on the design of environments for play, from the practice of a group of teachers. It is based on a vision of education whose specific purpose is to promote child’s development, having as activities of the early childhood, game, art, literature and exploration of the environment, as well as the possibilities of expression, communication, interaction and approach to the culture of early childhood. It draws on some important authors in the field of study, such as Montessori, Decroly, Garvey and more recently, Malajovich, Glanzer, Abad, Hoyuelos, Schön, among others. The methodological framework chosen is the action research, developing cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection, with the group of teachers involved in the work. The most outstanding result of this research was to make visible the knowledge that comes from the reflection of their own experience about the design of environments for play. Besides, the teachers felt recognized and valued in their teaching work. After that the group of teachers was granted with time and space for meetings and reflection activities.

Language: Spanish

ISSN: 2255-0666

Abstract/Notes: This study compared the time use and perceptions of schools, teachers, and friends of approximately 290 demographically matched students in Montessori and traditional middle schools. We used the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) and questionnaires and conducted multivariate analyses showing that the Montessori students (a ) reported more positive perceptions of their school environment and their teachers, and (b ) more often perceived their classmates as friends while at school. ESM time estimates suggested that the 2 school environments were also organized in different ways: Montessori students spent more time engaged with school‐related tasks, chores, collaborative work, and individual projects; traditional students spent more time in social and leisure activities and more time in didactic educational settings (e.g., listening to a lecture, note taking, watching instructional videos). These results are discussed in terms of current thought on motivation in education and middle school reform.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1086/496907

ISSN: 0013-5984