Denna studie har haft som syfte att synliggöra i vilka situationer förskolepedagoger och barn på en förskolas småbarnsavdelning använder sig av surfplattor. Faktorer som undersökts har varit vilka kontexter som utgör dessa situationer, vilka beståndsdelar dessa kontexter består av samt vilka motiv och aktiviteter som ligger till grund för användning av surfplattor. Studien har varit av kvalitativ karaktär och har undersökt en småbarnsavdelning med barn upp till tre år på en förskola i Stockholm. För att åstadkomma detta har semi-deltagande observationer skett på förskolan under fyra dagar. Den insamlade datan har ställts mot och analyserats efter Nardi, Dourish och Benyons teorier om kontext samt Blomberg, Burrell & Guests teori om etnografi. Undersökningen har funnit att motivet är den kontextuella beståndsdel som väger tyngst då den ligger till grund för resterande beståndsdelar. De tre motiv som identifierats i denna studie är kommunikation, visualisering och underhållning. / This report has aimed to visualize in which situations tablet computers are being used by nursery school teachers and children at a baby and toddler unit of a nursery school. Factors that have been studied are which contexts that constitute these situations, which components that constitute these contexts and which underlying motives and activities that encourage using tablet computers. The study has been of a qualitative type and has studied a baby and toddler unit at a Stockholm nursery school that include children of three years and younger. Semi-participant observations have been done in a period of four days. The gathered data has been analyzed according to Nardi, Dourish and Benyon’s view on context as well as Blomberg, Burrell & Guest’s view on ethnography. The study has found that the contextual component of most significance is the motive, since it forms the basis of remaining components. In this study, the three motives that have been identified are communication, visualization and entertainment.

Based on the survey results of 150 South Korea toddler caregivers about training needs, I developed a relationship-based approach for a toddler caregiver training program. The training program was modified using suggestions provided by 6 South Korean professors, who were asked to review the program. Survey findings revealed that: (a) All participants (toddler caregivers) perceived that it is necessary for caregivers to attend training. However, most (72.2%) found that it was difficult to attend training programs more than 1 time per year because it was hard to find a substitute teacher (64%). Participants desired to attend training programs on toddler care because of the lack of in-service education (26%), curriculum (24%), and training programs (15.3%); (b) Caregivers who had the third-degree caregiver certification preferred to learn parent education more than child development. However, caregivers who had a higher degree of caregiver certification preferred to learn child development more than parent education; and (c) Caregivers who had more than 5 years of teaching experience preferred to learn about the teacher's role more than caregivers who had fewer than 4 years of teaching experience. Future studies need to evaluate the effect of this relationship-based training program for toddler caregivers in relation to improvement in the quality of child care and interaction between caregivers and toddlers. A large-scale study would increase the generalizability of research findings. A larger sample size from different cities in South Korea and random sampling would generate more reliable findings.

18ヵ月から始まるふり遊びは，子どもの社会性の発達にとって重要なものである。しかしこれまで，ふり遊びがどのように発達するかについては明らかにされてこなかった。本研究では，乳幼児期のふり遊びの発達について，18ヵ月，24ヵ月，30ヵ月の子どもの母親との遊びの観察から検討を行った。その結果，18ヵ月児，24ヵ月児にとっては母親の働きかけが必要であるが，30ヵ月児になると，母親の働きかけなしに子どもが主体的にふり遊び出来るようになることが示された。 / Pretend play, or make-believe play, is important for child development. However, the development of mother-child pretend play in the toddler years has not been clear. Through this study, we aimed to examine the development of mother-child pretend play in the toddler years. Participants were 18-, 24-, and 30-month-olds and their mothers. We observed these 3 groups in a mother-child pretend-play session. Results indicated that 18- and 24-month-olds need their mothers to exhibit pretense signals. However, 30-month-olds do not need this. In sum, pretend play in the toddler years develops from the stage where the mother's pretense signals are necessary to that where the child becomes independent. / 博士(心理学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

Syftet med denna studie är att ge läsaren en inblick i småbarns kommunikation. Hur deras samspel med andra barn och förskollärare kan te sig i en organiserad förskolas utemiljö och i skogsmiljö. Studien omfattar också observationer av hur förskollärare stödjer och utmanar småbarn i deras kommunikation och samspel.Förberedelser för denna studie har varit undersökningar av tidigare studier kring kommunikation och samspel kring småbarn. De tidigare studierna fokuserar främst på en inomhusmiljö, vilket innebär att det finns en brist på information om kommunikation och samspel i utemiljön. Denna studie har ett sociokulturellt perspektiv vilket återspeglas i val av förstudie material, med fokus på social interaktion mellan människor.För att samla in vårt empiriska material har vi använt oss av videoobservationer och fältanteckningar.I studien kan vi se att småbarn använder sitt kroppsspråk, ljud och ord som kommunikationsverktyg, de tillämpar sina tidigare erfarenheter i möten med andra i sin omgivning när de kommunicerar. När de små barnen hittar föremål i sin omgivning, använder de dessa för att kommunicera och interagera med sina kamrater och förskollärare. / The aim of this study is to give the reader an insight in toddler communication. Their interaction with other children and preschool teachers, in an organised preschool outdoor environment and in a forest environment. The study also includes observations of how preschool teachers support and challenge toddlers in their communication and interaction.In preparation for this study previous studies on communication and interaction on toddlers has been researched. Previous studies mostly focus on an indoor environment, which means that there is a lack of information on communication and interaction in the outdoor environment. This study has a sociocultural perspective which is reflected in the choices of pre study material, focusing on social interaction between human beings.To collect our empirical data we used video observations and field notes. In the study we can see that the toddlers are using their body language, sounds and words as communication-tools, they also apply their past experience onto others in their environment when communicating. When finding objects in their environment, toddlers use them to communicate and interact with their peers and preschool teachers.

Background: Parenting is life-changing, a stable and secure social network, and a well-functioning relationship contributes to a positive perceived parenting. It’s essential to be able to adapt parenting support and to discover parents with increased need for support early, in which home-visits can be an important part. This study describes parents' experiences of a care intervention that involves professional support in form of extended home-visits during pregnancy and the child's first fifteen months of life. Aim: To describe parents' experiences of receiving support through extended home-visits during pregnancy and the child's first fifteen months of life. Method: Qualitative study with inductive approach. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted. Phenomenographic method was used for data analysis. Results: Parents' experiences of receiving support through extended home-visits resulted in three categories: The place and form of the meeting are important for parents' sense of coherence; Home-visits promote parents' sense of security and strengthen the parental role; Home-visits promote parental involvement, integration and relationships. Parents described that everything fell into place and became more real when they received support at home. Conclusion: Home-visits and support in the home environment increased parents' sense of coherence, participation, sense of security and strengthened their role as parents.

Text in Afrikaans / The focus of this qualitative study was the perceptions of parents regarding their toddlers' regressive behaviour. For the purposes of this study the term perceptions relates to both the impressions in a persons' consciousness as well as the result thereof. The researcher compiled a conceptual framework from the existing literature and then carried out the empirical study. A focus group of four parents' whose toddler or toddlers showed regressive behavior at the time of the study was compiled. A focusgroup discussion was held where the parents described their perceptions of their toddlers' regressive behaviour. The focus group discussion was recorded both by video camera as well as a digital recorder with the consent of all focus group participants, after which it was transcribed. Recurring themes were identified from the transcribed data and verified with literature. Qualitative data were obtained that answered the research question. / Social work / M.Diac.

Neuropsychological developmental screening (NES) is a German tool (published in 2005) for assessing eight fields of development of children aged 3 to 24 months. It is designed for pediatritians, early intervention specialists and psychologists. This thesis builds on A. Klapetek's thesis and aims to verify and check accurancy of Czech translation of the tool by administring the test to a group of Czech children. A. Klapetek conducted a pilot study of the tool. 50 children (10 for every age group) were administred the translation which was being refined during the field research. She also planned further steps to applying NES. Literature review of the thesis deals with developmental characteristics of infants and toddlers. Psychological assessment of young children and its uses and risks are described. The thesis also persues developmental scales, their history and present state. Theoretical concept of the Neuropsychological developmental screening (NES) is introduced. During the field research a group of 50 children was assessed by Czech translation of the tool, and the same group was tested by Developmental screening (Kovařík). Results of the testing were used to discuss existing norms of the tool, to identify problematic exercises (both too difficult and too easy) and to statistically analyse...

This diploma thesis The analysis of palying interactions of a child at toddler age in a nursery is divided into two parts - the theoretical part and the empirical part. The theoretical part is divided into four main chapters. The first chapter deals with the characteristics of a child at toddler age. The individual stages of child development are described here. The second chapter focuses on the child's play activities and the third characterises nursery care in the Czech Republic and abroad. The fourth chapter contains summary of the theoretical part. The survey presented in the empirical part of the thesis consists of an analysis of play interaction between two and three-year old children and their teacher in a nursery facility. The following actions of children were monitored: vocalisation, eye contact with other people and expression of emotions, motor activity, toy preference and mutual physical contact between the teacher and a child. Video records were analysed using applications V.I.P. (Video Interactive Procesor) and MS Excel. I compared not only the data of all children, but I also focused on a comparison between the boys and girls in terms of different gender. Key words: toddler, play interaction, nursery facility, nursery teacher, child development, parental care.

abstract: The purpose of this action research was to understand how reflective, job-embedded early childhood science professional learning and development (PLD) impacted Early Head Start (EHS) teacher learning and their perceptions toward science with toddlers. Limited content knowledge and lack of formal preparation impact teachers’ understanding of developmentally appropriate science and their capacity to support children to develop science skills. In Arizona, limited availability of early childhood science coursework and no science-related PLD for toddler teachers showed the need for this project. Four literature themes were reviewed: teacher as researcher, how people learn, reflective PLD, and how young children develop scientific thinking skills. The participants were nine EHS teachers who worked at the same Head Start program in five different classrooms in Arizona. The innovation included early childhood science workshops, collaboration and reflecting meetings (CPRM), and electronic correspondence. These were job-embedded, meaning they related to the teachers’ day-to-day work with toddlers. Qualitative data were collected through CPRM transcripts, pre/post-project interviews, and researcher journal entries. Data were analyzed using constant comparative method and grounded theory through open, focused, and selective coding. Results showed that teachers learned about their pedagogy and the capacities of toddlers in their classrooms. Through reflective PLD meetings, teachers developed an understanding of toddlers’ abilities to engage with science. Teachers acquired and implemented teacher research skills and utilized the study of documentation to better understand children’s interests and abilities. They recognized the role of the teacher to provide open-ended materials and time. Moreover, teachers improved their comfort with science and enhanced their observational skills. The teachers then saw their role in supporting science as more active. The researcher concluded that the project helped address the problem of practice. Future research should consider job-embedded PLD as an important approach to supporting data-driven instructional practices and reflection about children’s capabilities and competencies. Keywords: action research, Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Knowledge and Competencies, Arizona’s Infant and Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG), documentation, early childhood science, Early Head Start (EHS), Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), inquiry, job-embedded, pedagogy, professional development (PD), reflective professional development, teacher as researcher, teacher research, toddler science / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2019

Young parents and their children are considered a high-risk population as they are more likely to lack social support networks, have limited access to opportunities to enhance parenting skills, and are often financially dependent. Young children whose mothers have poor parenting skills are more likely to have persistent problem behavior. Three young mothers living in a transitional housing facility participated in this study. The purpose of this study was to determine if these mothers could implement parenting strategies that are a part of a commercially available parenting book and DVD. This study found that: (1) mothers were able to correctly implement the parenting strategies; (2) child problem behavior decreased from baseline to follow-up; and (3) the mother's perception of child problem behavior shifted positively from baseline to follow-up phases.