Early Childhood Educators’ Beliefs and Confidence Regarding STEM Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy MacDonald ◽  
Lena Danaia ◽  
Shukla Sikder ◽  
Carmen Huser
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Early Childhood Educators

“State standards and IEP goals. A lot of TPT products.” What Early Childhood Educators Report Using to Plan Mathematics Instruction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Peltier ◽  
Tiffany K Peltier ◽  
Taylor Werthen ◽  
Andy Heuer
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Mathematics Instruction ◽  
State Standards ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exceptional Children ◽  
What Works ◽  
What Works Clearinghouse

Access to high-quality resources is integral for educators to provide research-aligned mathematics instruction. Identifying the supplemental resources educators use to plan mathematics instruction can inform the ways researchers and organizations disseminate research-based practices. The goal of this study was to identify the frequency in which early childhood educators (i.e., pre-Kindergarten through third grade) reported using various resources to plan for mathematics instruction. Furthermore, we investigated whether differences were observed based on teacher factors (i.e., general or special education, route to certification, years of experience) and locale (i.e., rural, urban, suburban). We retained data from 917 teachers for data analysis. The three most frequently reported resources by educators were colleagues, Teachers Pay Teachers, and Google/Yahoo. The three least frequently reported resources were the typical outlets researchers use to reach teachers: What Works Clearinghouse, Teaching Exceptional Children, and Teaching Children Mathematics. General and special education teachers differed on their self-reported usage of five resources: colleagues, Google/Yahoo, teaching blogs, Teaching Exceptional Children, and the What Works Clearinghouse. Rural educators self-reported that they were less likely than suburban educators to use colleagues or specialists at the district to plan instruction. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Training may enhance early childhood educators’ self-efficacy to lead physical activity in childcare

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianne A. Bruijns ◽  
Andrew M. Johnson ◽  
Jennifer D. Irwin ◽  
Shauna M. Burke ◽  
Molly Driediger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Space Extension ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Early childhood educators (ECEs) play a critical role in promoting physical activity (PA) among preschoolers in childcare; thus, PA-related training for ECEs is essential. The Supporting PA in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention incorporated: 1. shorter, more frequent outdoor play sessions; 2. provision of portable play equipment; and, PA training for ECEs. An extension of the SPACE intervention (the SPACE-Extension) incorporated only the shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods component of the original SPACE intervention. The purpose of this study was to explore the individual impact of these interventions on ECEs’ PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Methods ECEs from the SPACE (n = 83) and SPACE-Extension (n = 31) were administered surveys at all intervention time-points to assess: self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA (n = 6 items; scale 0 to 100); self-efficacy to implement the intervention (n = 6 items); and, knowledge of preschooler-specific PA and screen-viewing guidelines (n = 2 items). A linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the impact of each intervention on ECEs’ self-efficacy and knowledge and controlled for multiple comparison bias. Results The SPACE intervention significantly impacted ECEs’ self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA for 180 min/day (main effect), and when outdoor playtime was not an option (interaction effect). Further, the interaction model for ECEs’ knowledge of the total PA guideline for preschoolers approached significance when compared to the main effects model. Participants within the SPACE-Extension did not demonstrate any significant changes in self-efficacy or knowledge variables. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the benefit of ECE training in PA with regard to fostering their PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Future research should explore the impact of PA training for ECEs uniquely in order to determine if this intervention component, alone, can produce meaningful changes in children’s PA behaviours at childcare.

Monitoring children’s development in early childhood education settings to promote early detection of autism

2021 ◽  
pp. 183693912199808
Author(s):  
Beth Mozolic-Staunton ◽  
Josephine Barbaro ◽  
Jacqui Yoxall ◽  
Michelle Donelly
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Children’S Development

Autism is a developmental condition that can be detected in early childhood. Early intervention can improve outcomes, though many children are not identified until they reach primary school. Early childhood educators are well placed to monitor children’s development and identify those who may benefit from additional supports, though implementation of standardised tools and processes is limited. The National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia has increased the onus on educators to support families to access funded services. A workshop on evidence-informed practice in early detection for autism was provided for early childhood professionals. The theory of practice architectures informed development and analysis of pre- and post-workshop surveys to explore changes in early childhood educators’ perspectives on factors influencing universal developmental monitoring and referrals to early intervention supports using an evidence-based tool, the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R). Post-workshop increases in early childhood educators’ perceived knowledge and confidence are evident, though recent policy reforms present challenges. Population surveillance using SACS-R in early childhood education is effective for identification and referral for children who have autism, and capacity building for professionals to use SACS-R is recommended.

Supporting Young Children’s Efforts toward Peacemaking: Recommendations for Early Childhood Educators

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Walker ◽  
Karen S. Myers-Bowman ◽  
Judith A. Myers-Walls
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Educators

scholarly journals Implementation Adherence and Perspectives of the Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy: A Process Evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812199628
Author(s):  
Monika Szpunar ◽  
Andrew M. Johnson ◽  
Molly Driediger ◽  
Shauna M. Burke ◽  
Jennifer D. Irwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Childcare Centers ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Verbal Prompts

The Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) policy was an evidence-informed, eight-item institutional-level policy document targeting children’s physical activity, outdoor play, and sedentary time. Nine childcare centers in London, Ontario, participated in this cluster, randomized controlled trial. Early Childhood Educators allocated to the experimental group, from five childcare centers in London, Ontario, implemented the policy for young children (18 months to 4 years) for 8 weeks and documented adherence to each policy item (i.e., dose) in daily logs. Program evaluation surveys ( n = 21) and interviews ( n = 10) were completed postintervention to assess Early Childhood Educators’ perspectives of feasibility, context, enjoyment, communication between researchers and childcare staff, and likelihood of future implementation. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and thematic analysis was conducted. Adherence to policy items ranged from 16.5% (for delivery of shorter, more frequent outdoor periods) to 85.9% (for delivery of unstructured/child-directed play). Participants reported effective communication between the research team and childcare centers (0 = not at all effective to 5 = very effective; M = 4.20; SD = 0.83) but noted that they were unlikely to continue the implementation of more frequent outdoor periods (0 = not at all likely to 5 = extremely likely; M = 2.19; SD = 1.21). Interview themes included weather as a prominent barrier and the use of verbal prompts as a solution for implementing the policy. As this was a small and short-term intervention, this pilot study offers important insight on larger scale policy interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and minimizing sedentary time among children enrolled in childcare.

A Father’s Interactions with His Toddler: Personal and Professional Lessons for Early Childhood Educators

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolores J. Appl ◽  
Shannon Brown ◽  
Michael Stone
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Educators

The influence of TPACK contextual factors on early childhood educators’ tablet computer use

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
pp. 57-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney K. Blackwell ◽  
Alexis R. Lauricella ◽  
Ellen Wartella
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Tablet Computer
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