Do Young Children Consider Similarities or Differences When Responding to Referential Questions?

Young children often struggle with referential communications because they fail to compare all valid referents. In two studies, we investigated this comparison process. In Study 1, 4–7 year-olds (N = 114) were asked to categorize pairs of objects according to their similarities or differences, and then identified a unique quality of one of the objects by responding to a referential question. Children found it easier to judge the differences between objects than similarities. Correct judgments of differences predicted accurate identifications. In Study 2, 4–5 year-olds (N = 36) again categorized according to similarities or differences, but this time were asked for verbal explanations of their decisions. Recognition of differences was easier than recognition of similarities. Explanations of errors were either: (a) ambiguous; (b) color error: (c) thematic (creative imaginative explanations). Children offered thematic explanations when they failed to recognize similarities between objects, but not for errors of difference.

Mars Explorers: A Science Inquiry-Based Learning Project in Preschool

Inquiry-based science education has become one of the most effective methodologies to learn science; however, proposals in preschool are scarce. Different factors are responsible for this situation, such as the low self-confidence of teachers to teach science and the belief that young children are unable to develop certain reasoning skills. This study reports the implementation of an inquiry-based science project in a preschool setting, in the context of a preservice teacher’s school placement. The project aimed to promote the development of basic and integrated scientific skills, enhance acquisition of conceptual knowledge and make the students enjoy while learning science. The intervention is described thoroughly and illustrated with examples from the real implementation of the theoretical IBSE sequence. At the beginning of the proposal, the students received a hypothetical letter from the astronaut Pedro Duque, in which they were asked for help to plan his trip to living on Mars, a cold planet, with only frozen and saltwater. After some introductory POE (predict, observe, and explain) experiences on the perception of temperature and activities with fresh and saline water, the students performed a piece of research: growing lettuce in four different conditions, combining two variables: temperature and the salinity of water. As the project developed, the students progressively gave better descriptions and justifications, and also showed great interest in performing more “research experiments”. For the preservice teacher, the project provided an excellent opportunity to implement academic knowledge in school practice.

Reflection on the Professional Development of Early Childhood Education and Care Teachers in Japan Based on Children’s Voices

Using action research, this study examined the professional development of teachers through the reflections that kindergarten teachers obtain from children’s voices and the relevance between the working environment and teachers’ reflection at teacher conferences in Japan. Four teachers participated in the study. Data sources included teachers’ perspectives on imitation paper, teachers’ thoughts and reflections at conferences and during interviews, visual material, and narrative observations of children’s play. Children’s voices stimulate teachers’ reflection and provide deeper insights about diversity among children. The discussions at the conference about children’s voices showed teachers’ learning in four aspects: beliefs of play, environmental setting, understanding of children, and child–teacher relationships. In the act of listening to children’s voices, each teacher was influenced by their job positions and by the relationship within teacher groups in reflection at teacher conferences. Teachers appeared to understand each other’s beliefs by engaging in regular dialogue at conferences. This study contributed to the improvement of in-service training methods in early childhood education and care.

Untapped Potential for Professional Learning and Development: Kindergarten as a Learning Organization

The importance of professional learning and development for quality in kindergartens has been established in international research. The fact that the kindergarten is a learning organization can be crucial in achieving necessary professional learning. The aim of this study was to investigate what characterizes Norwegian kindergartens as learning organizations. Our research question is: What kind of understanding do kindergarten managers have of a learning organization, what do they believe that a kindergarten must learn about and what do they perceive as characteristics of a learning kindergarten? We have conducted qualitative interviews with five kindergarten managers. The findings point to joint reflection as a key characteristic of a learning kindergarten. However, kindergartens struggle to make reflection a natural part of a day-to-day practice. Consequently, kindergartens fail to utilize an important potential for professional learning. Hence, we conclude that there is an untapped potential for professional learning and development in Norwegian kindergartens.