Diss. Uppsala : Univ., 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

"Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Program Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009." / Advisor(s): Petross, Diana ; Naegle, Brad. "December 2009." "Joint applied project"--Cover. Description based on title screen as viewed on January 28, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: N/a Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-47). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Psych. Ed.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Lehigh University, 2009. / Adviser: Lee Kern.

This paper study aims to show the presence of mathematics and science in Swedish preschools and describe how teachers integrate these subjects into their daily work. The research was a case study in a preschool in a small city<img src="https://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" /> of Southern Sweden. The research concerns children from 3 to 5 years old and the method used was a combination of observation and interviews. Six teachers were interviewed after the observation of their daily work. Having experienced the Greek preschools, this study also points out the Greek example in a limited way, wanting to show different perspectives of the topic.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which teachers scaffold students’ acquisition of reading comprehension skills. This semester-long study employed ethnographic methods of data collection, including classroom observations, teacher interviews, and video and audio recordings of classroom events. Data was analyzed using the constant comparative method as described by Strauss and Corbin (1990) and discourse analysis, informed by Mercer (1987). Two case studies offer detailed portraits of the nature of comprehension instruction in second grade classrooms. Findings indicate that teacher directed scaffolding of comprehension strategies and a classroom environment that supported engagement and understanding of text afforded young readers opportunities to acquire strategies that assist in making meaning from text. Study findings also suggest that a continuum of support within teacher-led lessons provided the students occasions to observe and to participate in comprehension strategy use in a supportive context. This study offers insight on pedagogical practices that support young readers in acquiring comprehension skills and strategies. / text

<p> This dissertation explores how Waldorf early childhood educators use the theories and practices embedded in Waldorf early childhood education (WECE), which are based on the psycho-spiritual-biological model of development developed by philosopher Rudolf Steiner, to help parents care for their children during their first 7 years. While there is a large body of writing on Waldorf early childhood theory and practice from within the Waldorf community, little has been written in scholarly and academic circles. Seeking to bridge this divide, 12 senior Waldorf early childhood educators who are acknowledged experts in their communities were interviewed. The study gathered information from senior Waldorf early childhood educators through qualitative, semi-structured interviews aimed at understanding the nature of teaching parenting skills that accord with Waldorf early childhood principles. Interview questions were informed by the literature review, which focuses on Steiner&rsquo;s (2003) developmental theory, Susan Howard&rsquo;s (2006) outline of early childhood education essentials, and the historical contexts in which these teachings are embedded. All interviews were analyzed using an adaptation of grounded theory methods. Results illuminated 11 major themes to describe how parent educators use the environment and their &ldquo;being&rdquo; to offer parent-centered, experiential practices rooted in Anthroposophy that &ldquo;protect childhood&rdquo; from impinging cultural conditions and contemporary parenting challenges. Through modeling and relationship with parents and children, parent educators offer a set of parenting skills that support health for families as understood through an Anthroposophical developmental lens. Additionally, parent educators help foster community and attachments such that parents can integrate their learning and begin a path of inner transformation. The study is designed to provide an empirical base to discussions of how Waldorf early education of parents works at the beginning of the 21st century.</p>

Vegetation has the potential to support all domains of early childhood development when carefully selected, yet it is infrequently used as a deliberate learning element in outdoor play environments for young children. The purpose of this study was to measure vegetation value in the context of developmentally appropriate early childhood education by assessing existing vegetation and interviewing educators at thirteen nationally accredited preschools in Tucson, Arizona. Results indicated low vegetation density and diversity compared to presence and quality of built elements, both indoors and out. While potential of existing vegetation was high, many educators reported few values of vegetation and rarely regarded it as a tool in their stated environmental curriculum. Furthermore, the values of structure for climbing and refuge for dramatic play appeared infrequently despite their importance in cited literature.

Improving treatment for early adolescent girls with depression by understanding factors that promote the maintenance of treatment effects is an important area of research given the association of depression with functional impairment and negative future outcomes. The effectiveness of CBT for treating depressed youth in the short-term has been well-established. However, limited research exists on the impact of CBT beyond one year post-treatment and on factors that enhance treatment maintenance for children and adolescents with depression. An intervention strategy that may yield the maintenance of treatment effects is the inclusion of primary caregivers. However, there is presently insufficient evidence to ascertain whether including primary caregivers in girls’ depression treatment produces additional benefits because they have rarely been incorporated into clinical trials of depression treatment for youth. This approach warrants study since families of depressed youngsters are often characterized by disturbances in family functioning and because aspects of the family environment are related to the development and maintenance of depressive disorders in youth. The current study addressed gaps in the existing literature about the maintenance of treatment effects for girls with depression by examining the impact of a parent training (PT) component added to a school-based, group-administered CBT intervention on girls’ depressive symptoms and key areas of family functioning (i.e., conflict, cohesion, communication, and family sociability). Participants included 9- to 14-year-old girls with a depressive disorder, one primary caregiver for each girl who completed measures, and caregivers in the parental treatment component. Girls were randomly assigned to a CBT, CBT+PT, or minimal contact control condition. Ratings of girls’ depressive symptoms and the family functioning variables were obtained from girls and primary caregivers at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and annually for up to four years following treatment. Results from growth curve modeling using hierarchical linear models indicated no significant differences in rate of change of girls’ depressive symptoms over time depending on whether they were in the CBT or CBT+PT condition. However, subsequent analyses revealed two significant factors associated with treatment maintenance: child attendance at CBT meetings and parental attendance at PT meetings. Specifically, higher rates of child and parental attendance were generally predictive of a sustained decline in girls’ depressive symptoms over time. In addition, findings supported the positive impact of CBT with PT on aspects of the family environment from pre- to post-treatment, but not from post-treatment through the four years of follow-up assessment. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for further areas of research are discussed. / text

The purpose of this study was to determine if preschool children, specifically three- and four-year olds, were able to demonstrate recognition of chord changes and identify implied tonic-dominant chord changes as a result of age-appropriate instruction focusing on harmony. Sixteen preschool children (7, three-year-olds; 9, four-year-olds) were given 10, 15-minute lessons that consisted of activities designed to enhance their awareness of harmony. Following instruction, students were given a test that measured their ability to recognize chord changes with regular and irregular harmonic rhythm. Furthermore, subjects were asked to demonstrate audiation of the implied harmony in three unaccompanied melodies by performing chord changes on an electronic keyboard. Results indicated that preschool children (94%) could recognize tonic-dominant chord changes, especially when they occurred in a regular harmonic rhythm. A majority of students (69%) also showed mastery when chords were played in an irregular harmonic rhythm. Students were unable to demonstrate mastery in any of the audiation tasks. Following the 10-week treatment, eight of the original subjects continued for an additional 10 sessions. Instructional and testing procedures remained the same. The scores from the 10- and 20-week tests were compared using a repeated-measures ANOVA. Students showed significant improvement in their ability to recognize chord changes that were played in an irregular harmonic rhythm. A moderate correlation was found to exist between age and this same task.