Title of project: Awareness of parents of preschool children about the existence of the Outdoor pre-schools in Hradec Králové area. Aim of project: To describe the level of awareness of parents about the existence and form of outdoor preschools. This is put into context with communication channels that outdoor preschools use. We create recommendations for increasing public awareness of this type of pre-school facilities. Methodology: We used both qualitative and quantitative methods fo our work. It has been survey from quantitative methods. This questionnaire was created specifically for the purpose of our research and it has been spread among parents of preschool children in Hradec Králové. We also used a literature search and structured interview fromor qualitative methods. We conducted the interview with representatives of outdoor preschool in Hradec Králové. Results: We found, that only 43% of parents in Hradec Králové and surroundings knows about existence outdoor pre-school. Only 19% of respondents has more informations about outdoor pre-schools has. Furthermore, we found that the most common way to spread awareness of that institution is personal contact (friends), television and websites. Keywords: outdoor preschools, preschool age, forest education, marketing, marketing mix

Inledning: Idén till denna studie framkom efter vår verksamhetsförlagda utbildning (VFU) från förskollärarprogrammet på Högskolan Väst. Musiken och sången finns alltid närvarande genom sångstunder, spontansång vid matbordet eller i form av sångtexter och noter uppsatta på väggarna. Dock är de lärarledda musikaktiviteterna ofta i återskapande form, eller call-response form, det vill säga att barn upprepar något som en pedagog sjunger först. Hur kan det komma sig att musiken, som i läroplanen inte har en uttalad koppling till språket, har en förhållandevis stor roll i förskoleverksamhetens vardag? Syfte: Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur pedagoger använder musik och musikaktiviteter i språkutvecklande syfte i förskolan. Frågeställningar som användes var på vilka sätt musik kan användas i språkutvecklande syfte, och hur förskolans pedagoger talar om kopplingen mellan musik och språkutveckling. Metod: För att svara på dessa frågeställningar valde vi att använda oss av den kvalitativ forskningsmetod, närmare bestämt fokusgrupper. Genom de diskussioner som uppstår i fokusgrupper vidgas deltagarnas synsätt, erfarenheter och åsikter med hjälp av de andra deltagarnas perspektiv. Vi valde just denna metod då vi anser att den ger oss data som kan ge svar på de frågeställningar som framställts. Studien utfördes på förskolor i Västsverige, med deltagare i spridd ålder från flera olika kommunala förskolor samt en öppen förskola inom samma område. Resultat: Resultatet visar att musiken till stor del används som ett språkutvecklande verktyg på grund av det intresse och den uppmärksamhet musiken bidrar med, den sprider glädje och hjälper barn att slappna av. Det är lätt att variera lärarledda aktiviteter samt anpassa nivån på lärandeobjektet till varje individs behov och nivå. Enligt vissa pedagoger ses inte användningen av instrument i musikaktiviteter som nödvändigt för barns språkutveckling, men det ses som en stor tillgång att ha musikaliskt kunniga pedagoger i arbetslaget. Det syns även skillnad i arbetssättet på förskolor och på öppna förskolan, där öppna förskolan inte har samma krav på verksamheten. Trots det sker sångstunder och musikaktiviteter regelbundet där syftet ofta är att stötta barn i sin språkliga utveckling.

[pt] A tese toma como objeto de estudo as narrativas de dez educadoras de três escolas comunitárias de educação infantil - professoras, coordenadoras, cozinheiras e auxiliares de serviços gerais - e tem como objetivo conhecer quem são as profissionais responsáveis pelo atendimento de crianças entre zero e cinco anos de idade das creches e pré-escolas em um município da Baixada Fluminense do Rio de Janeiro. Conhecer, nessa pesquisa, significou chegar às pessoas, escutá-las e compreendê-las em sua inteireza, em sua humanidade e em suas relações. A relevância do trabalho das instituições comunitárias se deve ao fato de que ocupam um lugar fundamental no atendimento educacional do município pesquisado, pois assumem uma demanda que as redes públicas municipais não conseguem abarcar. A estratégia metodológica, sustentada no diálogo com Martin Buber, Mikhail Bakhtin e Paulo Freire, foi de recontar as histórias de vida das profissionais das escolas comunitárias de educação infantil. Em um movimento de rememoração do passado, o primeiro capítulo aborda os temas da narrativa, da memória e da formação, reconstrói o histórico das creches comunitárias no Brasil e, mais especificamente, das creches comunitárias da Baixada Fluminense. E, para ampliar esse movimento de volta ao passado, discute-se a escolha das histórias de vida como metodologia dessa pesquisa. O capítulo 2 enfoca a filosofia do diálogo, como proposta de ampliação para compreensão e análise das histórias de vida, trazendo os principais conceitos de Martin Buber, Mikhail Bakhtin e Paulo Freire. No terceiro capítulo, a pesquisa reconta as histórias de vida das entrevistadas. Os capítulos 4 e 5 trazem as análises das histórias de vida das profissionais das creches comunitárias de um município da Baixada Fluminense, divididas em dois eixos: histórias de infância e de formação (capítulo 4) e histórias de práticas com crianças, adultos, instituições, com a cultura e a religião (capítulo 5). O capítulo final, partindo do que é possível aprender com as histórias, traz recomendações para a formação de professores de educação infantil. / [en] The thesis analizes the narratives of ten educators - teachers, coordinators, cooks and general helpers – of three community preschools. Its main goal is to know who are these professionals, responsible for the assistance and care of children between zero and five years old of three community preschools in the region of Baixada Fluminense in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In the context of this research, to analize the narratives meant: approach those professionals, listen to them, try to understand them in their integrity, humanity and relations. These community institutions are very important because they occupy a very important role in the educational services of the studied region, which are not able to meet the educational needs of the population. The methodological strategy, sustained in dialogue with Martin Buber, Mikhail Bakhtin and Paulo Freire, was to retell the stories of life of the professionals that work in the community preschools. The first chapter mentions the themes of the narratives, memory, training and education, reconstructs the history of the community preschools in Brazil, specifically in the Baixada Fluminense region. It also discusses the choice of life stories as a methodology for this research. The second chapter focuses on the dialogue philosophy as a proposal to enlarge the analysis and understanding of the stories of life bringing the main concepts of Martin Buber, Mikhail Bakhtin and Paulo Freire. The third chapter retells the stories of life of the interviewed and the fourth and fifth chapters analizes the stories of life of the professionals that work in the community preschools in Baixada Fluminense, divided in two axial parts: childhood stories and training/education (chapter 4) and stories of professional/educational practices with children, adults and institutions with the culture and religion (chapter5). The last chapter brings reflections and suggestions, based on what is possible to learn with the life stories, for the training/education of preschool teachers.

The introduction of Grade R (Reception Year) and its curriculum in early childhood education has been a key policy initiative, but despite the importance of this level of education the demands of the transition from Grade R to Grade 1 are not explicitly discussed. Official documents note the likely difficulties and challenges inherent in the transition of children from preschool and home into the primary school environment but they do not explicitly say how these difficulties can be dealt with. This study investigated the implementation of transition policy and existing practices for children transiting from preschool or the home into Grade 1 in South Africa’s schools. A case study of two purposively selected schools, from two different provinces, explored the impact of transition on both children’s adjustment to their new environment and the school itself. Key policy documents were initially analysed, and key informants in government and non governmental organisations (NGOs) were interviewed in relation to aspects of the policy guidelines and practices for transition to school. Participating principals, teachers, parents and children as subjects were interviewed to identify their perspectives about transition and how they deal with it. The social, behavioural and academic adjustment of 6 children from each of the two schools was investigated using the Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS). The results show that although some differences in the adjustment of children between the two case study schools were noted, it appeared that preschooled children were more likely to make better adjustments than non-preschooled (home) children. The study also revealed that schools’ strategies for dealing with transitions are not informed by the government’s transition policies and guidelines. Instead, the two schools devised their own in-house strategies to deal with transitions and these differed from one school to another. The study also highlights that teachers are not familiar with policies governing their working lives. The schools studied also lamented the lack of continuity in the curricula and the way of life between the school and preschool despite policies enacted to deal with this disjuncture. Whilst the findings show a disparity between the adjustments of preschooled children and their home counterparts a longitudinal study involving more case schools would provide greater insight into preschool grade 1 transition in a developing South Africa. The educational and policy implications of the study are discussed with regard to important processes and structures put in place for the transition process of children entering into primary schools. While case study findings cannot be generalised the results can be beneficial in informing other similar contexts grappling with transitions. The study highlights important processes undertaken in the adjustment of children into primary schools, however it also revealed some shortcomings which have serious implications for policy and practice. “Policy literacy” should be embarked upon to familiarise teachers as end users with what policy entails. Every school should have a transition programme that would help orientate and settle in the new entrants into the school environment. / Thesis (PhD (Education Policy Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Education Management and Policy Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

This study investigated what constitutes a moral development program in Buddhist temple preschools in Thailand. The researcher employed three qualitative methods: structured, in-depth interviews, observations of teachers' instruction, and document analysis of curriculum guides. Four Buddhist temple preschools were selected as the sites. Participants for interview included three abbots and one head nun, four principals, and twelve teachers. Participants for observations included four teachers of third year classes in each preschool. The study concentrated on four research questions: (a) what are the elements of the character education curriculum? (b) How do teachers teach moral development concepts and skills? (c) What are the teachers' perceptions of the moral development of third year preschoolers? (d) How do teachers assess their pupils' moral development? Key findings for the research questions were: character education was not a subject in the National Preschool Curriculum which was implemented in the Buddhist temple preschools. Core morality was integrated into every topic. The moral behaviors emphasized in the curriculum and the lesson plans included discipline, mindfulness, kindness, helpfulness, patience, honesty, respect, thriftiness, and politeness. The Buddhist concept of the process of moral development includes character education and meditation. The preschoolers were trained to pay respect to teachers and parents as an obedience approach to character education. Preparation of teachers included screening for their values and pre-service training. The instruction of meditation was approached gradually and aroused the children's interest. After three years of schooling, the third year preschoolers were well-behaved, helpful, and kind; no aggressive behaviors were reported. The assessment of moral development of preschoolers was based on observation of the teachers throughout the school year. Implications for practice are discussed, including procedures for gathering information on beliefs, attitudes, and culture of the parents before implementation of different models of moral development. Finally, future research directions are proposed.

The overall aim of this licentiate thesis is to increase our knowledge about the division of labor in the work with children in need of special support in preschools as described by the occupational groups of preschool teachers and special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs). This is explored in two separate studies. In the first study, the tasks, perceptions, and roles of SENCOs in preschools are examined. The study is part of a total population study where all SENCOs in Sweden (n = 4252) who were examined by the examination acts of the years 2001, 2007, and 2008 were sent a questionnaire. In a later phase of the procedure, the responses from SENCOs who work in preschools were extracted from the survey. These responses were analysed in Study I involving 523 participants. The results show that SENCOs’ working hours are primarily spent on consultation. SENCOs further report that they are able to influence their colleagues’ views on children's difficulties to a high degree. Most SENCOs in the study believe that the most important reason why children encounter difficulties in preschools is that preschools are poorly adapted to deal with children's differences. The results of this study are theoretically interpreted on the basis of Abbott's (1988) reasoning about jurisdictional control. Persson's (1998) two perspectives on different ways of understanding children's difficulties, namely a categorical and a relational perspective, are also used to interpret the results. Study II analyses how preschool teachers describe which occupational group claims jurisdiction over the work with children in need of special support. The data consist of interviews with 15 preschool teachers. The analysis of the data is based on Abbott's (1988) division of professional work into three aspects: a) formulating a problem, b) reasoning about the problem, and c) treating the problem. The results show that the area where preschool teachers claim jurisdictional control is related to the formulation of the problem. Preschool teachers do not, on the other hand, seem to claim jurisdictional control over the part of professional work that concerns reasoning about the problem. The results show a contradictory image of the treatment of the problem. Preschool teachers sometimes describe themselves as claiming jurisdictional control over treatment and other times describe how SENCOs have jurisdiction over the treatment of the problem. In the licentiate thesis, Abbott's (1988) reasoning about jurisdiction of occupational groups and Persson's (1998) categorical and relational perspectives for understanding children's difficulties are brought together and put in relation to different perspectives on inclusion.

Digitaliseringen sker i snabb takt i samhället vilket gör att frågan om förskolans verksamhet och förskollärare följer med i utvecklingen. 2018 var året då digitaliseringen trädde in i förskolans läroplan och numera är surfplattan ett verktyg som används både i det egna arbetet och i undervisningen. Syftet med studien är att undersöka om förskollärares förhållningssätt har utvecklats sedan den nya läroplanen togs fram 2018, vilka förutsättningar förskollärare har för att använda surfplattan med ett pedagogiskt syfte samt hur digital litteracitet blir synligt i förskollärarnas sätt att tillämpa surfplattan i arbetet. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ ansats där semistrukturerade intervjuer har använts för att få förståelse för hur förskollärares förhållningssätt ser ut till surfplattan idag. Hermeneutiken har format studien i samband med att vi har tolkat och studerat förskollärarnas kunskaper och inställningar. I studiens resultat framkommer det att förskollärarnas förhållningssätt utvecklas långsamt och att det personliga intresset är det som driver kompetensutvecklingen framåt. Dock kan styrdokument och forskning hämma utvecklingen av pedagogers förhållningssätt mot surfplattan. Arbetet med digital litteracitet blir synligt genom att barn och förskollärare tillsammans undersöker surfplattans alla möjligheter, vilket ser olika ut beroende på förskola och arbetslagets förutsättningar. / The preschool's activities and preschool teachers follow the development. 2018 was the year when digitization entered the preschool curriculum and nowadays the tablet is a tool that is used both in one's own work and in teaching. The purpose of the studies is to investigate whether preschool teachers' attitudes have developed since the new curriculum was developed in 2018, what prerequisites preschool teachers have for using the tablet with a pedagogical purpose, and how digital literacy becomes visible in the preschool teachers' way of applying the tablet at work. The study is based on a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews have been used to gain an understanding of how pre-school teachers approach the tablet today. The hermeneutics has been studied in connection with the fact that we have interpreted and studied the preschool teachers' knowledge and attitudes. In the results of the study, it appears that the preschool teachers' approach develops slowly and that personal interest is what drives competence development forward. However, governing documents and research can inhibit the development of educators' approach to the tablet. The work with digital literacy becomes visible through the fact that children and preschool teachers together examine all the possibilities of the tablet, which looks different depending on the preschool and the conditions of the work team.

The main aim of this paper is to explore preschol teachers' perspectives on the implementation of gender goals as set by the Swedish national curriculum for preschools. This qualitative research endeavours to investigate the way preschool teachers implement the curriculum and what their feelings are when implementing it. Finally, the research also seeks to explore the teachers' views based on their experience on ways to improve the curriculum. Six preschool teachers, who teach in international preschools in Sweden were interviewed;three female pedagogues and three male ones. A thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed material of the interviews and three primary themes emerged: I) Implementation of the curriculum through everyday engagement with the students, II) mixed feelings when implementing gender-equality pedagogy and III) satisfaction about the gender goals set by the curriculum but beliefs that it can be improved. In conclusion, this paper by closely examining the preschool teachers' perspectives and opinions, seeks to aid the discussion on gender teaching to young children in preschools.

En stor del av Sveriges 1-2 åringar vistas på förskolan och därmed innefattas av läroplanen för förskolan (Lpfö 18). Läroplanen innehåller mål och riktlinjer för naturvetenskaplig innehåll och undervisningsmetoder som kan främja barns lärande. Tidigare forskning menar att det finns flera olika metoder att undervisa yngre barn. Forskningen visar även att lärande kan främjas av att barnen få erfara naturvetenskapliga fenomen och begrepp med kroppen (Skalstad & Munkebye, 2021; Franzén, 2014; Bergnell, 2019). Att uppmuntra, utmana och ställa frågor när barnen leker har också visat sig främja barnens framtida intresse och nyfikenhet för naturvetenskapligt innehåll (Dejonckheere m.fl., 2016). Hur förskollärare upplever att de undervisar och införlivar naturvetenskapligt innehåll blev därför intressant för oss att undersöka i relation till vad den tidigare forskningen har visat. Vi har använt oss av två perspektiv som analysverktyg: det aktivitetsinriktade perspektivet och det begreppsmässigt inriktade perspektivet (Gomes och Fleer, 2020). För att komplettera dessa perspektiv har vi också använt två begrepp, den proximala utvecklingszonen och scaffolding (stöttande) (Säljö, 2014). Den här studien syftar till att undersöka förskollärares uppfattningar om naturvetenskaplig undervisning för de yngsta barnen i förskolan. I föreliggande studie används semistrukturerade intervjuer för att besvara våra frågeställningar. Åtta förskollärare har intervjuats i fyra olika kommuner i Sverige. Dessa intervjuer har transkriberats och sedan analyserats genom en tematisk analys. Vårt resultat är att förskollärarna beskriver sin roll som medforskare i barnens upptäckande. Förskollärarna i vår studie uppger att den naturvetenskapliga undervisningen oftast skedde spontant utifrån det barnen visar intresse för i stunden. De beskrev också hur olika verktyg och olika miljöer kunde fungera som inspiration för naturvetenskapligt lärande.

本研究旨在探討台北市幼稚園教育人員資訊素養與學校效能之現況及其關係，並依據研究分析結果，提出結論與建議，期能提供日後幼稚園提升教育人員資訊素養與學校效能之參考。 本研究採用問卷調查法，以研究者自編之「幼稚園教育人員資訊素養與學校效能調查問卷」為研究工具，研究對象為台北市公私立幼稚園之教育人員(含園長、主任、組長及教師)，共抽取630位為研究樣本，回收有效問卷共計440份，回收率為69.8%。問卷回收後分別以「平均數」、「標準差」、「單因子變異數分析」、「獨立樣本t考驗」、「Pearson積差相關」、「多元逐步迴歸」以及「結構方程模式」等統計方法進行分析，根據研究分析結果歸納岀以下幾項結論： 一、台北市幼稚園教育人員資訊素養之現況大致良好，在網路能力層面較佳，惟在圖書館能力及電腦軟硬體能力層面有待加強。 二、台北市幼稚園教育人員的與學校效能之現況大致良好，普遍重視幼兒學習表現，惟在社區家長支持層面有待加強。 三、台北市幼稚園教育人員資訊素養能力會因年齡、服務年資、教育程度、園所規模及園所屬性之不同，而有顯著差異。 四、台北市幼稚園教育人員在知覺學校效能方面會因教育程度、園所屬性之不同，而有顯著差異。 五、台北市幼稚園教育人員資訊素養與學校效能間呈現正相關之關係。 六、背景變項與資訊素養各層面對學校效能整體有顯著的預測作用。 七、資訊素養對學校效能有正向的影響。 / This study is aimed at investigating the current conditions and relationships of educational personnel information literacy and school effectiveness in preschools of Taipei City. Furthermore, conclusions and suggestions are provided based on the findings in order to give preschools some suggestions to facilitate educational personnel information literacy and school effectiveness. This study adopts the research method of questionnaire survey.“ Educational Personnel Literacy and School Effectiveness in Preschool Questionnaire” was designed from literature review. The subjects of questionnaire survey include principals, directors, team leaders and teachers in preschools of Taipei City. The samples were 630 educational personnel in preschools and the returned valid questionnaires were 440, making the return rate of 69.8%. The valid sample data was analyzed by various statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation, stepwise multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling. These conclusions of this research were summarized below: 1. The current conditions of educational personnel literacy in preschools of Taipei City were good, “Network literacy” was the better one, while “Library Literacy” and “Computer Software and Hardware Literacy” should be improved. 2. The current conditions of school effectiveness in preschools of Taipei City were good, “Children learning outcome” was the better one, while “Assistance from community and parents” should be improved. 3. The general performance of educational personnel information literacy in preschools of Taipei City varied significantly from different age, seniority, educational background, preschool dimension and preschool property. 4. The general performance of school effectiveness in preschools of Taipei City varied significantly from different educational background and preschool property. 5. There was positive relationship between educational personnel information literacy and school effectiveness in preschools of Taipei City. 6. The background variations and information literacy were appropriate indicators in predicting school effectiveness. 7. Information literacy positively affects school effectiveness.