Professionals in early intervention have little information about the levels of sibling involvement in intervention, factors that contribute to sibling involvement, or how sibling involvement is related to families’ perceptions of self-efficacy. Few studies have investigated siblings in early intervention, and none have focused on relationships between sibling involvement in early intervention and parent self-efficacy. Using quantitative survey research this study investigated factors related to sibling involvement in early intervention strategies. Respondents completing the survey consisted of 129 parents who had a child enrolled in Michigan’s early intervention program, and at least one sibling in the home. Results indicated a significant relationship between sibling use of early intervention strategies and 1) the region in which the family lives, and 2) the age difference between the siblings in each sibling dyad. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.

本研究旨在探討幼稚園教師對美術活動之教學態度，主要目的有三：一、編制「幼稚園教師美術活動教學態度問卷」；二、瞭解幼稚園教師對美術活動教學態度之實際情況；三、探討不同背景變項下幼稚園教師對美術活動教學態度之差異情形；四、根據研究結果提出具體建議，做為改善學前階段美術教育之參考。 本研究以調查研究法，調查與分析幼稚園教師對美術活動之教學態度，依據文獻探討的結果編製「幼稚園教師美術活動教學態度問卷」，並經專家效度檢驗以及問卷預試成立正式問卷及建立問卷的效度與信度(Cronbach’s α係數為 .886)。 本研究以台北縣公、私立幼稚園之教師為研究對象，並以「幼稚園教師美術活動教學態度問卷」為研究工具，共發放340份問卷，回收208份問卷，回收率為61%。調查所得資料以描述統計、卡方考驗、單因子變異數分析方法進行分析。 本研究之研究結果為：一、幼稚園教師對美術活動的教學態度分為四個主要取向，分別為「幼兒本位取向」、「美術本位取向」、「教師本位取向」，以及「較少干涉取向」。二、不同教學年資、年齡、專業領域、公私立園所之幼稚園教師在美術活動教學態度上有所差異。 最後，本研究依據研究結果，分別對幼稚園教師、相關教育單位，以及後續美術活動相關研究提出具體建議，以供參考。 / The purpose of research is to investigate the kindergarten teachers’ attitude of teaching art. Four aims of this research are: 1. To compile the “Kindergarten Teachers’ Attitude of Art Activity Questionnaire” as the research tool. 2. To inquire current kindergarten teachers’ attitude of teaching art. 3. To analysis differences among teachers’ attitudes of teaching art on four distinct dimensions: years of teaching, age, professional knowledge of individual teachers, and the types of kindergarten (public and private). 4. To make suggestions for a teacher teaching art in kindergarten, related associations or departments, and someone interesting this topic. Researcher designed the contents of “Kindergarten Teachers’ Attitude of Teaching Art Questionnaire” by following phrases: compile items of questionnaire from literature, evaluate items by five experts to build validity, and using statistical analysis to establish reliability (Cronbach’s α .886). Researcher randomly sampled 340 subjects from kindergartens in Taipei county and delivered the questionnaire and 208 samples were valid (61%). The data were analyzed using: descriptive statistics, χ2 test, one-way ANOVA, and LSD posterior comparisons. The result was: 1. The mainly approaches of teachers’ attitude of teaching art are children-oriented approach, art-oriented approach, teacher-oriented approach, and little-intervention-oriented approach. 2. Significant differences of teachers’ attitude were found between teachers in different years of teaching, age, professional knowledge of individual teachers, and the type of kindergarten. The researcher made recommendations to kindergarten teachers, education administrations, and further related research based on the conclusions.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between prekindergarten classroom quality indicators and student achievement at the prekindergarten level. Pre-existing data on prekindergarten classroom quality measures and student achievement was utilized. Quality indicators were assessed using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) (Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2008) and student achievement was measured by the end of year results on the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) (Invernizzi, Meier, Swank, & Juel, 2004) and the Bracken School Readiness Assessment end of year results (Bracken, 2007). A quantitative ex post facto correlational research design was employed to identify relationships between program quality and student achievement among the prekindergarten classrooms. An ex post facto design was chosen because the circumstances of conducting the research did not allow for an experiment. The classrooms in this study site were rated overall as high in quality. The findings indicate that quality in classrooms established by high scores in the Emotional Support and Classroom Organizational domains, paired with scores in the middle to high range in the Instructional Support domain have no statistical correlation between high achievement related to PALS and Bracken scores, with the exception of one subgroup. For students that receive Public Assistance, there was a statistical significance in their end results for PALS and Bracken, indicating a positive relationship between classroom quality and student achievement. It is vitally important to develop prekindergarten programs that can be easily replicated. Replicating successful programs would save time, money, and effort. Practitioners can increase and standardize structural quality factors such as length of day, credentialing requirements of staff, and the maintenance of an organized system of in-service training and systematic curriculum oversight, while ensuring the presence of process quality, This focus will create prekindergarten programs that offer the most at risk students the highest quality possible.

This study examined the delivery of information and services offered to grandparents who had become the primary caregivers of pre-k through third grade students to determine if the information and services were effective in decreasing chronic early absence as defined by Chang and Romero (2008). This mixed-method, multi-case study focused on the perceived needs of custodial grandparents and examined if the school system was meeting their needs through delivery of information and services. The researcher sought participation from 5 custodial grandparents who had grandchildren in pre-k, kindergarten, first, second, or third grades in a Northeast Tennessee school system and whose grandchildren had accumulated absences that met the definition of chronic early absenteeism (10% or more absences) as defined by Chang and Romero (2008). Skyward Database provided a list of families who met the aforementioned criteria. The average age of this group of grandparents was 51.8 with a range of ages from 48 to 54.The comparison group, also retrieved from the Skyward Database, included 4 custodial grandparents whose grandchildren had the highest attendance rates (top 5%). The average age of this group was 53 with a range of ages from 48 to 59. Researcher-developed questionnaires and interviews were used to determine outcomes and major findings. [a1] Major findings included 1) A Chi Squared Test determined that children in grandparent-led households were significantly more likely to meet the criteria of chronic early absence than children from parent/other guardian-led households; 2) 100% of grandparents in both groups had not heard of chronic early absence, 33% of teachers had not heard of chronic early absence, and 50% of Family Resource Center Staff had not heard of chronic early absence; 3) 47% of grandparent-led households met the criteria of chronic early absence while only 18% of parent/other guardian-led households met criteria of chronic early absence; 4) 0% of the parents were involved in the child’s life or education in the grandparent-led households while 50% of the parents were involved in the child’s life or education in parent/other guardian-led households; 5) 20% of children in grandparent-led households with chronic early absence had disciplinary actions while 100% of children in grandparent-led households with high attendance had significant disciplinary actions; and 6) Sickness was the primary reason for absences in grandparent-led families with chronic early absence; 7) A majority of grandparents in both groups used verbal communication with teachers and school staff, but written communication was preferred by each group.

1. The environment matters: design elements to consider : Beauty in everyday environments ; The impact of light ; Sounds make a difference ; A place for everything, everything in its place ; A secure and supportive environment ; Valuing diversity in the classroom ; Setting up appropriate learning environments -- 2. The process of planning for successful change : Creating the vision ; Developing a plan ; Introducing a new feature -- 3. Low-cost, big-impact changes : Decluttering ; Small changes ; Teacher's space -- 4. Building a sense of community in the classroom : Creating a welcoming and inviting entrance ; Developing a sense of place ; Valuing each member of the community ; Having effective group time ; Learning about and practicing responsibility ; Identifying personal spaces for children ; Providing choices for individual work ; Working in small groups -- 5. Real classroom makeovers : The importance of play ; Real classroom makeovers support children's play ; Literacy centers/areas ; Manipulatives/building ; Math and science ; Art and music ; Dramatic play ; Community meeting ; Nurturing environment -- 6. Early learning standards and the classroom environment : Early learning standards ; The unique needs of children ; Adapting the environment to all learners -- 7. The amazing (and real) classroom makeover adventure : The adventure ; Description of the classroom ; Developing a vision with an initial teacher interview ; The change process ; The first element of design considered ; The next element of design considered ; Teacher interview and reflection on the learning environment ; Art ; Books ; Blocks ; Gathering place ; Home living ; Science ; Writing ; Summary ; Teacher comments after the makeover -- Classroom evaluation checklist. / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1063/thumbnail.jpg

One of the hallmarks of being a professional field of practice with a united commitment to a competent and accountable workforce is having a set of agreed upon practice standards that guide practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve learning and enhance outcomes for young children and their families. The 2014 DEC Recommended Practices represent the practice standards for EI/ECSE. DEC seeks your input and involvement with the dissemination and product development plan to ensure that the 2014 DEC Recommended Practices are understood and implemented across the broad field of early childhood, including Head Start, public pre-k, early care and education, and family support. Share your perspective, brainstorm with colleagues, and strengthen dissemination efforts.

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Participants will explore a research-based approach to STEM professional development for preschool educators using hands-on explorations and rich discussions in the context of the garden.

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