Since 2011, the state of Oregon has embarked on a comprehensive educational policy change to create a unified birth to twenty educational system. As part of the birth to age five early childhood and family investment strategy, mandated participation in Oregon professional development system is required for all early childhood educators working in Office of Child Care licensed programs. To date, research on early childhood educators' experience in professional development systems has focused primarily on experiences with regulatory systems. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored how four early childhood educators made meaning of their experiences of professional engagement in Oregon's state professional development system. As a researcher-participant, I conducted a two-part interview with these early childhood educators. First, we revisited the experience of the professional development journey in collage, followed by narrative semi-structured interviews. The researcher employed Dahlberg's (2006) concept of "bridling the experience" (p. 16) as a way to develop an understanding of early childhood educators' professional practice and the intersection between practice and professional engagement in Oregon's professional development system for childhood care and education. The collage and narrative dialogues illuminated the essence of each individual's experience. Experiences such as the intersection of personal professional self, acts of professional engagement, and the emotional nature of participants' work all emerged from the collage and interview process. Three essential themes emerged from the data interpretation and discussion, namely, (a)Personal and Professional Self: Intertwining Personal Experience and Professional Identity, (b)Curves Ahead: Maneuvering Rivers, Roads, and Paths, and (c)The Journey and the System are Asynchronous: "You Guys Figure that Out, Good Luck." Through the emergence of essential themes, participants demonstrated that their experiences while unique also shared common characteristics of what it means to be an early childhood educator in Oregon living with policy in the classroom. It is now the turn of policy makers and program managers of Oregon's professional development system to recognize the strength and wisdom of the voices in the early childhood classroom.

The number of preschool children displaying externalizing emotional and behavioral difficulties is constantly increasing. At the same time, these children often lack social and emotional skills as well. Even though more and more children display this noticeable behavior and preschool teachers are constantly reporting being overwhelmed with these children’s behavior in preschool, a high number of children do not receive any support or intervention. Play provides appropriate means to support children’s social and emotional development as play has a significant importance in young children’s development. The aim of this systematic literature review is to get a better understanding through previous research on which play interventions have been found to facilitate the social-emotional development in preschool children with externalizing emotional and behavioral difficulties. Six studies with six different play-oriented interventions have been identified through this review. The results show that all interventions had either positive outcomes on the social-emotional development or show a decrease in emotional or behavioral difficulties. The factors which have been found as facilitating to these outcomes were use of play, intervention setting, awareness of others, involvement of licensed professionals, a safe environment and culturally and ethnically representative toys. This review provides a comprehensive overview on effective play-based interventions in preschool setting. However, further research is needed to examine individual environmental, familial and participation factors as well as specific training for preschool teachers. / Die Zahl der Kindergarten Kinder mit externalisierenden sozial und emotionalen Verhaltensauffälligkeiten steigt permanent an. Gleichzeitig zeigen diese Kinder oft ein Defizit in sozialen und emotionalen Kompetenzen. Obwohl die Anzahl der Kinder mit diesen Verhaltensauffälligkeiten immer weiter ansteigt und auch Erzieher/Innen immer wieder darauf hinweisen, dass sie mit dem Verhalten der Kinder überfordert sind, erhalten viele Kinder keine Förderung. Spiel bietet einen angemessenen Ansatz, um Kinder in ihren sozial-emotionalen Kompetenzen zu unterstützen. Es ist bewiesen, dass Spiel eine signifikant positive Auswirkung auf die sozial-emotionale Entwicklung von Kindern hat. Das Ziel dieser systematischen Literaturanalyse ist es ein besseres Verständnis über bereits bestehende spielorientiere Förderangebote und deren Auswirkung auf die sozial-emotionale Entwicklung von Kindergarten Kindern mit externalisierenden sozial-emotionalen Verhaltensauffälligkeiten zu erhalten. Sechs Studien mit sechs unterschiedlichen spielorientierten Förderangeboten wurden während der Analyse identifiziert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass alle Förderangebote entweder positive Auswirkungen auf die sozial-emotionale Entwicklung hatten oder sozial-emotionale Verhaltensauffälligkeiten reduziert wurden. Fördernde Faktoren auf die Auswirkungen der Angebote waren die Anwendung von Spiel, der Rahmen, in der das Angebot stattgefunden hat, das Bewusstsein der Anwesenheit anderer, die Einbindung von geschulten Fachleuten, eine sichere Umgebung und die Anwendung von kulturell und ethnisch repräsentativem Spielzeug. Diese Analyse gibt einen umfassenden Überblick von spielorientierten Förderangeboten, die im Kindergarten umsetzbar sind. Es besteht jedoch ein Bedarf an weiterer Forschung, die individuelle Aspekte aus der Umwelt, der Familie und der Teilhabe der Kinder berücksichtigt. Außerdem ist es von Bedeutung, dass Erzieher/Innen die Möglichkeit für eine bessere Schulung bekommen, um mit den Verhaltensauffälligkeiten der Kinder besser umgehen zu können.

This thesis explores the development of emergent literacy in Hong Kong Kindergarten children who are learning English as a Second Language (L2). Two interrelated empirical studies have been conducted, and both aim to examine the contribution of code-related and oral language skills to predicting early L2 reading ability, controlling for home influences. The majority of research on emergent literacy has been conducted on First-Language (L1) English-speaking children, and it is possible that these established concepts and models could also be relevant to L2 children. The first is a 2-year longitudinal study examining the continuity of L2 emergent literacy development in Hong Kong children from Kindergarten to early Primary school. The convenience sample of 51 children were initially assessed in their final or penultimate year of Kindergarten (mean age: 4;6 SD = 6.16) on 3 emergent literacy measures (receptive vocabulary, phonological awareness, letter identification) and a non-verbal cognitive measure. They later progressed onto the Primary section of the same school, and were assessed again as first or second-graders (mean age: 6;4 SD = 6.21) on a more comprehensive battery of measures. An extensive parental questionnaire on family demographics and the home literacy environment was also administered. In addition to assessing a wide range of L2 emergent literacy skills and English word reading ability, a Chinese syllable deletion task was also included, to explore the potential effects of cross-linguistic phonological transfer between the children’s L1 (Cantonese) and L2 (English). The second study sought to improve upon the first by selecting a larger, more representative sample of children from 3 bilingual Kindergartens in the Kowloon City School District. It examines the concurrent relationships between emergent literacy skills and L2 word reading ability in 137 children. They were all in their final year of Kindergarten (mean age: 5;2 SD = 5.61), and were assessed once on largely the same battery of measures as Study 1 (Time 2). Again, a non-verbal cognitive measure was administered, as well as the parental questionnaire on home support for language development. The main data analysis was carried out via multivariate statistical techniques such as multiple regression. Further analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling in Study 2, but in a cautious and exploratory manner. The overall findings suggest that like the L1 emergent literacy model, early L2 word reading ability is predominantly influenced by children’s code-related skills, especially print knowledge and phonological sensitivity. Also, the relationship between oral language and word reading seems to be mediated by code-related skills. Thus, while oral language abilities do not appear to make substantial direct contributions to early L2 reading, they do play an essential albeit indirect role. Furthermore, L2 children’s home influences seem to make their strongest impact before formal schooling begins, again in the form of indirect effects on pre-school oral language skills. In short, the development of emergent literacy and early word reading skills is similar in many ways for both L1 and L2 children, and implications for practice are considered.

Cette étude vise à évaluer les éléments facilitants et les barrières à l’implantation du programme d’éducation à la nutrition Camille, Antoine et l’archipel Ôlait, développé par les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC), auprès d’enseignants du préscolaire provenant de six régions du Québec et ayant reçu un atelier de formation animé par une diététiste des PLC. Elle vise également à connaître le degré d’implantation et la fidélité du programme ainsi que son appréciation, son utilisation et sa pertinence. Après une moyenne de 5 mois d’implantation, un questionnaire auto-administré a été complété par 37 enseignants (N = 86, 43 %), dont 10 utilisateurs (27 %) et 27 non-utilisateurs (73 %). Puis, des groupes de discussion ont eu lieu avec 13 enseignants (N = 170, 8 %). En moyenne, 11,4 activités sur 30 ont été réalisées (38 %), dont 6,3 telles quelles (55 %) et 5,1 modifiées (45 %), et les enseignants ont rapporté avoir l’intention de refaire 6,1 activités (54 %). L’implantation du programme a été facilitée ou limitée par différentes caractéristiques des enseignants, par l’appréciation de son contenu et son format, par sa pertinence concernant les exigences pédagogiques au préscolaire, la réalité des élèves et des parents et les objectifs d’apprentissages en nutrition, par le milieu scolaire, familial et communautaire ainsi que par la crédibilité et le support des PLC. Plusieurs de ces facteurs sont à la fois des éléments facilitants et des barrières. Les résultats obtenus aideront à ajuster ce programme et guider le développement et l’évaluation de programmes similaires. / This study aims to assess the facilitating conditions and barriers to the implementation of Camille, Antoine et l’archipel Ôlait nutrition education program, develop by the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), with preschool teachers, from six regions of Québec, who assisted a workshop delivered by a dietitian from DFC. It also seeks to know the degree of implementation and fidelity of the program and its assessment, its use and relevance. Following an average of five months of implementation, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 37 teachers (N = 86, 43 %), 10 users (27 %) and 27 non-users (73 %). Then, focus groups were held with 13 teachers (N = 170, 8 %). On average, 11.4 out of 30 activities have been carried out (38 %), including 6.3 as planned (55 %) and 5.1 modified (45 %), and teachers reported that it intends to repeat 6.1 activities (54 %). Implementation of the program was facilitated or limited by various characteristics of teachers, the assessment of its content and its format, its relevance to the educational requirements for preschool, the reality of pupils and their parents and objectives in nutrition learning, at school, in their family and community as well as the credibility and support of the DFC. Many of those factors are both facilitating conditions and barriers. The results will help to adjust the program and guide the development and evaluation of similar programs.

De nombreuses études empiriques ont démontré que la qualité des relations parent-enfant est importante pour le développement des fonctions exécutives (FE) des enfants. Cependant, la majorité des études ont porté sur des échantillons de mères ou de pères, mais non des deux. Le présent mémoire contient un article empirique qui poursuit deux buts. Premièrement, l’article a examiné la contribution unique de la qualité des interactions mère-enfant et père-enfant avec leur bambin (toddler) à la prédiction des FE en milieu scolaire. Deuxièmement, l’article a investigué les effets d'interactions entre la qualité des relations mère-enfant et père-enfant. L’étude a été menée auprès de 46 familles intactes (mère-père-enfant). Lorsque les enfants avaient 18 mois, la qualité des interactions mère-enfant et père-enfant a été mesurée par observation de séquences indépendantes de jeu avec le Mutually Responsive Orientation scale. À la maternelle, les problèmes exécutifs des enfants furent rapportés par le professeur à l’aide du Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Les résultats indiquent que les enfants qui ont des interactions de meilleure qualité avec leur père à 18 mois sont ensuite considérés par leur professeur de maternelle comme ayant moins de déficits exécutifs. Cela suggère que la relation père-enfant peut être un facteur important à considérer en ce qui concerne le développement des FE des enfants. Les implications théoriques et empiriques ainsi que les implications pratiques, notamment celles concernant les professeurs, sont abordées lors de la conclusion de ce mémoire. / There is increasing evidence that the quality of parent-child relationships is important for the development of young children’s executive functioning (EF). However, studies have focused on samples of either mother-child or father-child dyads, not both. The present master’s thesis includes an empirical article pursuing two aims. First, the article examined the unique contributions of the quality of mothers’ and fathers’ interactions with their toddlers to the prediction of children’s subsequent EF in kindergarten. Second, the article investigated the interactive effects of mother-child and father-child relationships. The sample included 46 families. The quality of mother-child and father-child interactions was assessed independently during separate interactive sequences at 18 months. In kindergarten, child EF problems were reported by their teachers with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Results indicated that kindergarteners who had higher-quality interactions with their fathers in toddlerhood were considered by their teachers to present fewer EF problems in everyday school situations. This suggests that father-child relationships may be an important factor to consider regarding the development of EF in children. Theoretical and empirical implications as well as practical implications, particularly for teachers, are discussed at the conclusion of this master’s thesis.

The thesis discusses the current phenomenon of ICT penetration in kindergarten. The author at first take into account the broader context of the issue of changing the role of educator role in postmodern society. After that discusses the process and organizational incorporation of selected courses aimed at training teachers in kindergartens in the area of ICT. The first chapter concludes with a broader, related to the use of ICT focused, analysis of intergenerational differences that determine the further development of educational policy and requirements for the education of children. The second chapter focuses on the issue of school readiness of a child, in particular a close look at the psychological profile of the individual according to his age and development of cognitive function in preoperative stage. It is therefore a basis with which to be reckoned with in the revision of existing knowledge and increased demands on the educational component of pre-school preparation. It is also pointed to specific foreign studies that deal with the question of the effectiveness of the involvement of ICT in teaching preschool children. There is also a look back at criticism of current threats called as digital degeneration. In the third chapter are answered three hypotheses and also concluded whether a...

My diploma thesis is focused on specific topic called "How to be influenced by nature in a learning process - let the nature teach ourselves". In the first part of the thesis there are mentioned the first attempts trying to connect nature into the educational system and the history of this principle applied abroad and in our country. The main research is interested in activities undertaken in countryside during pre-school and school teaching as well as children's leisure time. The empirical part is casuistry capturing the main image of newly established school Zeměkvítek showing the way how children's learning and perceiving is affected by being in the nature during school and pre-school teaching. The results of the practical part shows that lessons in an outdoor environment contribute positively on development of children's learning. On the bases of SWOT analysis it can be stated that there is high possibility that ZŠ Zeměkvítek will develop and gain more members.

The disertation focuses on Czech School Inspectorate (CSI) and its impact on the preschool institutions in the region of Lanškroun. What are the criteria used in evaluating the work of kindergarten, what laws are governed in their work and what the implications of its findings are to the school management and decision-making processes in them. The thesis comrises the historical introduction of the state supervision over schools, the development of CSI, the comparison of school inspection systems in other EU countries, the extent of competency of the Czech School Inspectorate. The research shows that the Czech School Inspectorate has the positive impact on management in the kindergartens, it gives the essential feedback to the kindergarten headmasters. The headmasters consider the CSI evaluation to be the further step in their work. The determined conclusions are the results of the questionnaire to the headmasters, the analysis of inspection reports as the outcome of CSI activities in selected kindergartens in the region of Lanškroun. KEYWORDS: Czech School Inspektorate (CSI), inspection reports, evaluation standards, kindergarten, decesion making process, conditions, course nad results of education evaluation criteria, process and outcomes of education

Title: The importance of nature as a learning environment by mapping forest clubs and forest kindergartens in the Liberec region from from the point of view of educators. Objective: The aim of my thesis is to map forest kindergartens and forest clubs in the Liberec region. Further, by using semi-structured interviews to obtain specific information about the operation and educational activities of the forest kindergartens and clubs in the district. Results: Literature about pre-school pedagogy, alternative ways of education, forest kindergartens gave us insights into the topic. From semi-structured interviews that I conducted with various teachers of forest kindergartens or clubs in the Liberec region, I received necessary information. The functioning of forest kindergartens and forest clubs is different in many ways. Opening hours of kindergartens are about 7:00 to 17:00. Their approach to children is inspired by Waldorf and Montessori pedagogy. The timetable of the day differs, but the materials they use are similar and come from nature. All respondents mentioned that parents cooperate with them. It was evident that all of them have good relationship to nature and see its positive influence on children. Crucial final information is that the way of education changes from authoritarian to liberal,...

This thesis deals with pre-reading literacy and focuses on the factors and actors that it develops. The first chapter deals with the theoretical definition and importance of education to the reading. The second chapter outlines the literary form of preschool education and how the literary education is included in the general educational program for preschool education. The third chapter is devoted to the primary and most important factor that the development of a child's reading act, and that is the family. It shows the possibilities of how children can relate to the books in the family to support the role of the relationship of their parents to read and stresses the importance of reading and storytelling in the family circle. The following chapter deals with the cooperation of nursery school and family in the development of a child's reading, closer is about the influence of teacher's personality and it offers opportunities to work with the book in full day kindergarten regime. The last two chapters of the theoretical part characterizes the specifics of children's literature and provide an overview of the typology of literature for preschool children. The research part describes the process of investigation, which is aimed at determining the important criteria in the selection of children's books....