Preschool education is quite underestimated but it is an important and integral part of the educational system. The quality of education in kindergartens is reflected in the preparedness of children entering elementary school. A top class kindergarten, with a sound educational program is the result of the efforts of all its employees. The management of such a kindergarten plays a significant role in its success. This thesis deals with specific management of kindergartens and the approach of the headmaster to individual elements of management. The theoretical part consists of management terminology definitions and explanations and the placement kindergarten education in the scope of the Czech educational system and its development. The practical part of this thesis is dedicated to discovering the relationships between the educational programs in kindergartens with the style of their management. The goal of this work was to discover, what factors effect the style of kindergarten management, if there has been a change in the conditions of kindergarten management, and what is the relationship between the curriculum, climate and management of kindergartens. In order to fulfil the goals of this thesis I utilised both a quantitative and a qualitative approach to my research. The research took place within...

This master thesis is based on a five-month research of a relationship between the children and material culture of a forest kindergarten. The main focus of the work is casted on the analysis of the significance of material objects during the children s information internalization by means of the sensual experience. The evocative role of concrete material items that are presented in everyday life of children in the forest kindergarten is shown in this thesis. The children senses are activated by material items and these items serve as an impulse for the children learning process. The work also contains an analysis of the important objects from the children s point of view. The conventional anthropological methods were used within the research in this master thesis - the participant observation in the forest kindergarten and the non-formal interviews with the kindergarten staff. Moreover, the picture analysis method was used to indentify the material items having an important role for the children in the forest kindergarten. The collected photodocumen- tation is employed to illustrate the specific environment and activities in the forest kindergarten. Keywords: forest kindergarten, material culture, sensual experience, learning process

Children with ASD are characterized by impairments in socialization and communication, as well as by the presence of repetitive behaviours and limited interests. Their impairment often influences their participation in everyday ac-tivities and by extension their social engagement in playful activities with their peers is affected. Researches set play as the leading activity for a child’s development, because it is identified as the means that can deliver various mental tools and teaching strategies to preschoolers. Purpose of this systematic literature review is to identify play interven-tions that describe the procedures aiming in promoting the social engagement of preschoolers with autism. This review will also examine the people that implemented these interventions, in order to provide information and guid-ance for all professionals and educators that may need them. Search in the three databases, ERIC, CINAHL and PsychINFO was performed. Seven articles were found to meet all criteria and were divided based on the similarities on the design and the procedures that were followed. The results of the study led to three play interventions that used the ASAP and JASPER intervention programs in order to examine the social communication of children with autism leading to their social engagement. The remaining findings resulted in four different kind of interventions that use play as the context for either increasing social engagement or promoting engagement of students with ASD with their peers. These interventions include auditory, dance and video modelling interventions. The Zone of Proximal Development was used as the theoretical framework to support the ideas mentioned, since it points out the role of play in the child’s development. However, this study highlights the need for further investigation regarding the pro-motion of social engagement of preschoolers with ASD. The level of the social engagement of children with ASD are rarely investigated in the natural context of schools during their everyday peer-to-peer play interactions.

Die vorliegende Dissertation fokussiert auf den Bildungsbereich Bewegung in der Frühpädagogik und strebt an die pädagogischen Konzepte und die aktuelle Situation sowie den Stellenwert der Bewegungserziehung in den südkoreanischen und deutschen Kindergärten zu vergleichen und daraus Maßnahmen der Qualitätsverbesserung für die Bewegungserziehung in Südkorea abzuleiten. Die Arbeit setzt sich zusammen aus einer literaturbasierten Darstellung der bildungs- und bewegungstheoretischen Rahmungen zur Ausrichtung der Bewegungserziehung in Südkorea und Deutschland sowie einer empirischen Untersuchung zur ‚Umsetzung‘ der Bewegungserziehung in den Kindergärten in den beiden Ländern.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that indoor environments can impact the health of students and can affect concentration, attendance, and student performance (USEPA 2008). In a school year, children are required by the Florida Department of Education to be in school for a total of 180 days, which is 795 hours spent in a classroom (FLDOE 2008). In the elementary school setting, kindergarten classes typically spend a portion of the school day with floor-based activities. The American Lung Association (ALA) states that over 6.8 million children under the age of 18 are affected by asthma (ALA 2008). Allergic reactions and/or sensitization to allergens such as dust, animal dander, and cockroaches are among triggers associated with asthma cases. Literature suggests looking at the areas where individuals spend a considerable amount of time to identify potential exposure sources. Currently, many of these studies have been done regarding the home indoor environment; however, few specifically document the concentrations in carpeting in elementary schools and the exposure time associated with floor-based activities. The objective of this research was to quantify the concentrations of cat (Felis domesticus I), dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus I, Dermatophagoides farinae I), and cockroach (Blatella germanica) allergens in carpeting in an elementary school kindergarten class and to document and quantify student group activities that are floor-based. One Florida elementary school classroom was identified as the study site. A total of eight reservoir dust samples were collected during the school year to be analyzed for Felis domesticus I, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus I, Dermatophagoides farinae I, and Blatella germanica allergens. The sampling reservoir was the carpeting used for group floor-based activities by the school children. Dust samples from the carpet were analyzed by The Johns Hopkins University Reference Laboratory for Dermatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology (DACI). The sample collection methodology followed the "Dust Analysis Instructions for Use" provided by the DACI laboratory, along with the "nozzle sock" sampling media. Following discussions with the kindergarten teacher regarding curriculum and scheduled classroom activities, group floor activities were identified. The kindergarten class was observed periodically throughout a school year to document and quantify classroom activities that were floor-based. The information documented includes: occupancy of classroom, occupied floor area, occupant density, and time spent on carpeting. Felis domesticus I (Fel d I) measurements ranged from 2,206 - 10,558 ng of allergen/g of settled dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus I (Der p I) measurements ranged from 3,408 - 86,704 ng/g and Dermatophagoides farinae I (Der f I) measurements ranged from 704 - 6,720 ng/g, and Blatella germanica (Bla g I) measurements were below detection limits. Based upon the DACI criteria, dust mite concentrations were moderate to high and cat concentrations were low to moderate. Kindergarten children spent approximately 38% of classroom time in floor-based activities.

Teacher attrition is a problem that has consequences for children and schools in many countries; children are affected negatively both emotionally and intellectually, while schools suffer setbacks, such as financial stress and disruption of the learning environment. This multiple case study explored the perspectives of stakeholders in India regarding how teacher attrition in private early childhood schools influenced students, teachers, parents, school leaders, and schools, as well as the factors that stakeholders identified as important for teacher retention in private early childhood education. The conceptual framework was Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. Data were collected through interviews with teachers and school leaders with at least 2 years of experience, and parents of children at affected schools. Twelve participants were selected via homogenous purposive sampling, with 4 in each group. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results of data analysis showed that teacher attrition led to an increase in workload for the remaining teachers, causing mental and physical stress. Positive workplace relationships were needed to stem the problem. School leaders felt that teachers' salary should be commensurate with workload, while parents believed teacher contracts should include a minimum number of years of service required. Future research might focus on factors considered important to stemming teacher attrition such as flexible timetables, reduced workloads, and teaching independence. The study has implications for positive social change by providing insights to help policy makers and education leaders in India understand and possibly lessen the problem of teacher attrition

Recognizing characteristics that improve inclusion in general education classrooms allows educators and parents to make conscious decisions regarding how students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be included most appropriately. The purpose of this qualitative Delphi study was to understand the opinions of individuals with expertise in the fields of autism and inclusion as to the characteristics and behaviors within the environmental constellation that support or inhibit inclusion of elementary students with ASD. The conceptual framework was based on tenets of applied behavior analysis, multiple intelligences, and ecosystem characteristics. Research questions addressed characteristics and behaviors of general and special education teachers, other school personnel, students, and their families. Sixteen international experts responded to semistructured interviews and follow-up questions. Data were coded and distilled across three rounds. Knowledge of disabilities and effective behavior management were agreed to be important for all adults, and a sense of humor and willingness to collaborate were agreed to be important for students and adults. Participants agreed that cognitive abilities were important for students. There was no consensus on the unconditional inclusion of all students. Specific types of support and training for adults and more research by educators, parents, and professionals who work with students with ASD were recommended. Specific characteristics and behaviors of all involved are important in the development of the child. A suggested resource was created as part of this study. Being knowledgeable of how to work together support children in the general education classroom is a start for those students to become more included in the larger world.

In a Texas school district, administrators did not monitor the fidelity of implementation (FOI) of the Montessori kindergarten program implemented in 2005, which left administrators without empirical data regarding program implementation. The purpose of this qualitative evaluative case study was to explore teachers' and administrators' perceptions and implementation of the Montessori program. Using the implementation of science framework, which involves examining FOI by monitoring interventions, implementation methods, enabling contexts, and intended outcomes, data were collected through interviews, nonparticipatory observations, and a review of archived Montessori documents. A convenience sample of 10 Montessori teachers, who met criteria of over 5 years of teaching experience, and 2 or more years experience teaching in the Montesorri program, and administrators who met criteria of supervising Montesorri grades, volunteered to participate in this study. Data were analyzed using comparative and inductive analyses and analytical coding. Findings from the data resulted in emergence of 5 themes: administrative support and capacity building for the Montessori program to support FOI, availability of more advanced Montessori resources, peer coaching to support novice Montesorri teachers, precise and consistent comprehension of the Montessori learning model, and relevant and targeted professional development related to Montesorri program implementation. A 3-day professional development project was designed to promote FOI of the Montessori program for teachers and administrators. The project will improve stakeholders' knowledge and capacity building to strengthen Montesorri program FOI and promote students' academic success. Fidelity of Implementation of an Urban Elementary Montessori Kindergarten Program by DaMesia D. Starling MS, Walden University, 2010 BS, Jarvis Christian College, 2003 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University April 2018

Elementary students in the United States are expected to read proficiently in order to be successful on high-stakes assessments. Researchers have found that many elementary students lack the motivation to become frequent readers. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the reading motivational techniques used at a local district to encourage elementary students to become frequent readers. Framed by Skinner's operant conditioning theory and the focus on motivators and their effects on learning outcomes, the research questions explored teachers' perceptions of the motivators that increase student reading in the elementary grades. Data for the study were collected through individual interviews with a sample of 6 teachers who volunteered from the district's elementary schools. Open coding of the transcribed interview data and thematic analysis revealed 5 overarching themes: difficulties and challenges, preexisting perceptions, perceived effectiveness of used incentives/motivators, applicability to other grade levels, and factors critical to support reading development. The findings revealed certain recommended strategies such as free choice reading, increased parental involvement, and grade enhancement that may support intrinsic motivation compared to external motivation, which may be better supported through more immediate rewards. This study has the potential to promote social change by providing educators and other stakeholders at the local site with research findings on effective techniques to motivate elementary students to read more frequently.

The evidence supporting the common instructional method of daily calendar group time to teach math skills to prekindergarten children has been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exposure to daily calendar group time on prekindergarten children's math score gains in a private early-childhood program located in the suburban Southeast. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory guided this quantitative, causal comparative design wherein archival data from 104 prekindergarten students' pre- and posttest numeracy skill scores on the Young Children's Achievement Test were analyzed. Data from 6 classrooms over 2 school years were compared using multiple linear regression. Four classrooms offered daily calendar group time (n = 72), and the other 2 did not (n = 32). Results from multiple linear regression analyses showed that when pretest scores, English language learner status, and socioeconomic status were controlled for, posttest scores of prekindergarten students who were instructed using the calendar were not significantly different from posttest scores of students with no calendar exposure. The results from this study can be used by prekindergarten administrators and teachers to inform classroom math instructional practices. This study contributes to social change by demonstrating that the instructional practice of prekindergarten daily calendar group time does not assist young children in attaining additional math skills prior to kindergarten entry; other methods of instruction may be more effective.