Journal articles on the topic 'Preschool curriculum guidelines'

The need to update the curriculum and the Curriculum framework of general education has been discussed for several years, as long as a year ago, the renewal work of primary and basic education curriculum began, and this year the renewal of the secondary and preschool education curriculum started. The curriculum of the general preschool education is described for one year, with the possibility for the child to study for the second year. The preschool education programme is not structured in separate subjects – the knowledge is acquired integrally, by developing seven competencies in all activities in which the child participates, in order to ensure the balance and coherence of all competencies in different content areas. Excluded content areas are given equal volume. It is being focused on the purpose and goals of preschool education, areas of achievement and intended achievements. The learning content is divided into five areas of learning content: • language education; • social education; • STEM education(natural science, mathematics and informatics, technological education); • health and physical education; • artistic education. The general curricula for pre-primary, primary, basic and secondary education must ensure vertical and horizontal coherence of content, possible interdisciplinary links, and indicate how they can be meaningfully disclosed including the interdisciplinary topics set out in the General curriculum framework updating guidelines: • personal power, • cultural identity and community spirit, • sustainable development. The volumes of primary, basic and secondary education curricula are presented distinguishing between compulsory subject content (about 70 per cent) and optional content (about 30 per cent), which is selected and modelled by the teacher himself, taking into account school, classroom context, student needs, achievements, possibilities and in coordination with other teachers as required. When implementing optional content, more time is devoted to the development of certain skills, values, and learning of subject topics. Project works can be organised, interdisciplinary themes can be developed, time can be allocated for cognitive, cultural, artistic, and creative activities. According to the concept of the Guidelines for the Renewal of the General Curriculum Framework, this distribution of the content ratio is focused on deeper learning, integration, topic development, competence development. Keywords: curriculum framework, general education, interdisciplinary topics, project works.

The development of a curriculum poses a challenge for theoreticians, practitioners and educational policy makers. The official curriculum of a country represents the guidelines that should serve as the basis on which practices are developed in educational institutions. However, every institution modifies and applies the curriculum differently. The level of a practitioner’s professional development, as well as the culture of the educational institution in question profoundly influence the manner in which the curriculum is evolving in a particular educational institution. For that reason, it is especially important to facilitate access to systematic and high-quality professional development for preschool teachers, so that they are capable of developing the curriculum in line with the challenges of our time and contemporary scientific findings on early childhood education and care. The practice of many preschool teachers in Croatia reflects an outdated understanding of educational work involving children, and the official curriculum does not have much of an impact on that fact. Despite the fact that the practices of individual preschool teachers, even within the same institution, can differ significantly, there are certain shared traditionalisms that represent a burden for practice in Croatian preschools, and that are not easily removed. In order to gradually remove them, i.e., replace them with more contemporary methods of educating children, it is necessary to first become aware of them, as it is precisely the lack of awareness that such traditionalisms exist that causes them to remain a part of the practice.

The aim of the study was to shed light on Icelandic parents’ views on their children’s preschool educations and explore if their views have changed over the last decade. In 2005/2006, focus group interviews were conducted with parents of 5- and 6-year-old children in three preschools in Iceland. In 2016, the same preschools were revisited, and now 26 parent participants were interviewed. Several challenges have been facing Icelandic early childhood education and care in the last decade. Iceland is faced with academic pushes and pressures to increase accountability. In addition, society is moving from a homogeneous to a multicultural nature. Therefore, it was of interest to explore if parents’ views had changed over the last decade. However, mostly parents of Icelandic origin were willing to participate. The findings from the present study therefore show the views of dominant Icelandic parents. The views of those parents have not changed much over the last decade, in spite of changes in the societal and educational landscape. They endorsed play as well as social and personal competences. The findings indicate that socio-cultural discourses are influential in shaping the narratives of participating parents. It seems that the parents were expressing ideas proposed by the Icelandic National Curriculum Guidelines for Preschools and their views reflect the dominant cultural values that are presented in the curriculum guidelines. One can assume that these cultural values reflected in the curriculum are stronger than the current neoliberal, global emphasis since the ideas of the participating parents had not changed significantly from the views of parents a decade ago, in spite of an international trend emphasising the academification of preschools and increasing multiculturalism in the country. Hence, the study shows clearly that despite neoliberal pressures, play and child-centred preschools remain a priority for Icelandic parents.

The aim of this study is to explore preschool teachers’ perception of the application of information communication technology in Taiwan using qualitative methodology in the form of interpretive phenomenology. Snowball sampling was used to select fourteen preschool teachers from public preschools. The data was collected from fourteen preschool teachers using one-to-one, semi-structured in-depth interviews, each of which lasted for one to two hours based on the guidelines for semi-structured interviews. The interviews were taped, recorded, and transcribed for the main textual analysis, which was based on a thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: (1) a formative and explorative growth process, (2) information devices: at once plentiful and limited, (3) decisions between control and freedom, (4) parent-teacher communications, and (5) trend-driven resource integration. Suggestions and implications for the utilization of ICT in classroom practice and its implementation in the curriculum are discussed.

ABSTRACTBased on the findings of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) needs assessment study carried out in 2016, international best practices in education systems and curriculum reforms, and a desire to make learning more meaningful for the Kenyan scholar Government's initiated an overhaul the 8–4–4 education structure to Competency-based learning because it did not promote wholesome learning. Competency-based education and training is an approach to teaching and learning more often used in learning concrete skills than abstract learning. Early Childhood Development and Education has greatly been compromised globally. The EFA’s first goal stipulated that it is the responsibility of every Government to expand and enhance comprehensive Early Childhood Education. In this regard, provision of quality of the environment is very key in enhancing learning. This paper presents results from a study that was conducted in Borabu Sub-county in Kenya to determine the implication of outdoor environment on children’s learning experiences in public preschools. The major findings includes: the general state of outdoor environment component was unsatisfactory; there was a positive relationship between the state outdoor environment and pre-schoolers learning experiences related to preschool children’s ability to performing various loco-motor activities and rhythmic movement activities and general academic achievement. The results further indicated that when all the four states of outdoor (the site, availability, adequacy and effectiveness) investigated combined together explained 35.2% of the variance in the preschool overall learning experiences. The results from observation and interview schedules indicated that a rich outdoor environment had a positive influence on preschool children‘s development of various social, emotional and cognitive skills. The study recommends that teachers and pupils should participate in outdoor play. In addition, the government should put in place policy guidelines to all pre-schools with regard to the availability, adequacy and effectiveness of outdoor environment.Key Words: Competency-Based Curriculum; Outdoor Environment; Availability; Adequacy; Effectiveness; Learning Experiences

Recent studies indicate tablets as the preferred devices of preschool children, due to portability, autonomy of use and variety of apps. There is also extensive evidence of the contributions of digital technologies in different areas of learning at these ages. The Aprender XXI project aimed to develop game-based learning apps, with content recommended in the Curriculum Guidelines for Pre-School Education (CGPE). The project used Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology, which combines scientific research and technological development. It was divided into three phases: preliminary study (literature review, search for existing apps, study of preschool curriculum), development (specifications, scriptwriting, design and programing) and evaluation (tests with users and conclusions). The preliminary study identified the needs to define robust apps. The evaluation with children and educator validated the development and defined improvements in the apps. As a result, we obtained four thematic apps—environment, health, citizenship and professions, composed of a set of games, suitable for autonomous use for children or for educational activities guided by educators in kindergarten. In addition, a website collects children’s play data, which is represented with flowers in a virtual world, to illustrate their participation/collaboration for a better future.

ObjectivesThis study investigated physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) among preschool-aged children in Singapore and potential correlates at multiple levels of the socioecological model from in-school and out-of-school settings.DesignA cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods approach.ParticipantsParent–child dyads from six preschools in Singapore.MethodsPA and SB of children (n=72) were quantified using wrist-worn accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) among 12 teachers explored diverse influences on children’s activities, and System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY) assessed PA environment and children’s activity levels at preschools. Seventy-three parents completed questionnaires on home and neighbourhood factors influencing children’s PA and SB. Descriptive analyses of quantitative data and thematic analysis of FGDs were performed.ResultsBased on accelerometry, children (4.4±1.1 years) spent a median of 7.8 (IQR 6.4–9.0) hours/day in SB, and 0.5 (0.3–0.8) hours/day in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MVPA was similar throughout the week, and SB was slightly higher on non-school days. In preschools, SOPLAY showed more children engaging in MVPA outdoors (34.0%) than indoors (7.7%), and absence of portable active play equipment. FGDs revealed issues that could restrict active time at preschool, including academic requirements of the central curriculum and its local implementation. The teachers had varying knowledge about PA guidelines and perceived that the children were sufficiently active. In out-of-school settings, parents reported that their children rarely used outdoor facilities for active play and spent little time in active travel. Few children (23.5%) participated in extracurricular sports, but most (94.5%) reported watching screens for 1.5 (0.5–3.0) hours/day.ConclusionMVPA was low and SB was high in preschool-aged children in an urban Asian setting. We identified diverse in-school and out-of-school correlates of PA and SB that should be taken into account in health promotion strategies.

Objectives This study investigates the current state of language ability of children in the early stages of school, and the readiness for reading literacy, teacher’s needs of preschool children, based on the perceptions of first grade teachers of elementary school. And In-depth interview was conducted for analysis. Methods Through this, a plan for linking kindergarten and elementary school was derived from the actual conditions of Korean education and language education in the first grade of elementary school. The subjects of this study were 282 elementary school teachers who worked as first grade form teacher and teachers who experienced in charge at an elementary school in city B, and data were collected through questionnaires. And in order to derive a linkage plan, 4 kindergarten teachers and 4 elementary school teachers were selected as research subjects, and data were collected through in-depth interviews. Results First, the current state of language ability of the 1st grade elementary schoolchild perceived by teachers is as follows. The teachers recognized that the listening and speaking level of the children in first grade were low, and the reading and writing were perceived as having high individual differences between children. Second, teachers' perceptions and demands regarding preschool children's readiness for literacy are as follows. Teachers recognized that preschooler's reading and writing instruction was necessary, and the actual teacher’s demand level was higher than the level required in the elementary education curriculum at the beginning of admission. Third, development and sharing of specific educational materials to realize joint training and curriculum, reinforcement of language education in the first year of elementary school, and changes in parental perception regarding language education were shown, as a plan for linking language education between kindergartens and elementary schools. Conclusions The current language education in elementary schools exceeds the level of the elementary education curriculum, and this suggests that for improving this the two curriculums are to be linked from the development process, clear guidelines and standards of the curriculum are presented and implemented in the field in language education, the improvement of awareness of kindergarten teachers and elementary school teachers and parents should be accompanied.

The field of early childhood education is experiencing similar conditions to the rest of the Australian public sector, characterised by a climate of accountability for quality outcomes, emphasis on management at the local level and strong centralisation of control over curriculum and teacher appraisal within a context of significant reduction in public sector government spending. The ideology of the market underpins many of these reform directions, with particular consequences and effects in the early childhood area. This article uses as a focal case study the newly mandated Preschool Curriculum Guidelines for the state of Queensland, Australia, and their accompanying professional development of early childhood teachers and school principals. The outcomes for the professional development have been highly controlled and pre-specified through government departmental scrutiny by a competitive tendering process among potential private providers — all of whom include publicly funded universities as they themselves compete for additional money to justify their new role as entrepreneurs in an increasingly marketised system of higher education. The study focuses on the processes of control for the professional development associated with the new curriculum, with an emphasis on exploring the rhetoric and practices of ‘partnership’ underlying the approved models. The findings of the early phases of the study indicate a limited range of positioning available for early childhood teachers, school principals, and those involved in the delivery of the professional development. The guidelines and professional development activities appear to have expanded the relationships within the care and education sector while constraining the range of positions and relative autonomy of early childhood teachers. This is a significant finding in that this is the first time there have been statewide mandated Curriculum Guidelines and statewide professional development required of early childhood teachers.

Digital technology affordance has been recognized as a social and learning tool, and the requirements for digitalizing the kindergarten curriculum have been present for decades. Digitalization in a child’s early years can present conflict with parents, as the societal and economic demands of digitalized society for a child’s digital technology use are in dissonance with guidelines and recommendations of health organizations that caution against preschool children’s technology use. Kindergarten curricular reform in Slovenia was conducted in the 1990s. In this period, the use of digital learning technology and digital play for the development of children learning predispositions and early literacy was already recognized. At the time of curriculum design, it integrated some elements of digital learning technology. Now, 30 years after the design of the new curriculum, we are facing the post-digital era. Learning technology in the early years is a matter of partnership with parents; accordingly, this descriptive survey study includes a non-randomized sample of 306 parents. We are considering how child’s play is structured in the primary environment and how parents perceive digital technology in the current post-digital age of seamless, digitally saturated social practices. Parents are aware of the risks of technology and of its benefits for learning. The findings show correlations between a child’s digital screen technology use and parents’ attitudes and perceptions of digital play. Parents that offer digital screen technology to a child have less agreeable attitudes regarding its possible risks to a child.

Abstract Practitioners frequently tailor programming to meet participant characteristics and logistic constraints, or to incorporate diverse participants, such as intergenerational programming. Adapted programming may be responsive but reduce impact on outcomes. With growing interest in and limited availability of intergenerational protocol, implementation science guides program tailoring to ensure that youth and older adults mutually benefit from adapted programming. We integrated guidelines for tailoring interventions (Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded: FRAME) and evidence-based intergenerational practice. We illustrate how program fidelity can be supported in intergenerational settings using examples from an adapted USDA-approved preschool nutrition curriculum delivered intergenerationally. Program acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility were rated favorably by program stakeholders, and observational implementation data suggest fidelity can be maintained using evidence-based intergenerational strategies. Our findings support the potential for protocol developed for one age group to benefit youth and older adults when it is adapted using implementation and intergenerational guidelines.

The implementation of the K to 12 curricula brought changes in the Philippine Educational system. Among these is the inclusion of Statistics in the curriculum from preschool to Grade 11 of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) track. The purpose of this action research is to develop an understanding of students’ statistical thinking in order to help teachers improve their practice of teaching Statistics. Students’ level of statistical understanding and performance were mapped based on the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) framework. Each of the 11 groups of Grade 10 students performed a statistical investigation using different worksheets as their guide. The instruments used were observation field notes, students’ written reports, achievement test results, and interviews. Findings show a majority of students had low level of statistical understanding and performance. Students had difficulty in formulating research questions, used survey as the only means of collecting data, and had limited presentation of results and interpretation. The teacher's role was crucial in the development of students' understanding. The challenges and the merits gained from the experience served as motivation to the teacher-researcher to continue and improve the use of statistical investigation in the teaching practice.

Upbringing and education fulfill the basic needs and obligations of all Muslims who profess to be the Hanif religion. The purpose of this study was to determine the state of religious values ??in early childhood in Nabila Nagrak Kindergarten, Skabumi Province, to plan the development of learning strategies to teach religious values ??to early childhood, and to teach religious values. hindering the development of learning strategies and internal evaluation, the success rate of developing learning strategies in teaching religious values, and developing learning strategies in teaching religious values. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach that aims to explain situations and phenomena by adapting the data analysis used to analyze the findings with the existing data is descriptive, but not numbers, but data collected in the form of words and photos. This is due to the use of qualitative methods. In addition, all that is collected can be the key to research. Learning Development at Nabila Nagrak Kindergarten seeks to make students' basic provisions to love the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW and become readings and life guidelines. Therefore, the syllabus used is a combination of the Kemendikbud syllabus, the TPQ syllabus and a uniquely designed syllabus sourced from the Qur'an and hadith. An example of a self-designed curriculum here is that TK Naviranagrac has developed a special curriculum for preschool children (school age children).

The purpose of this study was to investigate undergraduate students' knowledge in the implementation of the Investigation Project during their teaching practice. Investigation Project is one of the approaches adopted from the Project Approach. This approach included in the National Preschool Standard Curriculum. In this study, data were collected using questionnaire and interview protocol. The survey was used to obtain information on the students' knowledge of implementing the Investigation Project. At the same time, the interviews were conducted to find out the implementation of the Investigation Project for students undergoing teaching practice using the Teacher's Guide. The study sample is purposive sampling. One hundred seven students answered the questionnaire, and the interview protocol administered to 5 students who are implementing the Investigation Project in their teaching practices using Teacher Guidelines. The findings of the study indicate that the level of knowledge of the Early Childhood Education students in the Investigation Project is at a moderate level with an overall mean value of 2.69. The findings from the interview protocol found that the Teacher Guidelines provided to them helped them to implement the Investigation Project more effectively. The conclusion, this study showed that postgraduate students need a practical guide in assisting them to achieve this approach as they are less exposed to this approach while studying. The implications of this study have provided beneficial exposure to potential TADIKA teachers in Malaysia.

There is a need to disseminate evidence-based childhood obesity prevention interventions on a broader scale to reduce obesity-related disparities among underserved children. The purpose of this study was to test the comparative effectiveness of an evidence-based obesity prevention intervention, Hip-Hop to Health (HH), delivered through Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) versus the standard curriculum delivered by the programs (Standard Nutrition Education (NE)). A nonequivalent control group design was delivered to compare the effectiveness of HH to NE on weight gain prevention and health behavior outcomes at EFNEP and SNAP-Ed sites. One hundred and fifty-three caregiver–child dyads (n = 103 in the HH group; n = 50 in the NE group) participated in the study. HH is an evidence-based dietary and physical activity intervention for low-income preschool children. The NE curriculum provided lessons for children that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. Data were collected on demographics, anthropometrics, and behavioral variables for parent–child dyads at baseline and postintervention. Mixed model methods with random effects for site and participant were utilized. No differences in child or caregiver diet, physical activity, or screen time by group were found. No between-group differences in child BMI z-score were found; however, caregivers in the HH group lost significantly more weight than those in the NE group. Results from this trial can inform future dissemination efforts of evidenced-based programs for underserved families.

<p><em>Everyone from first to the last days of life are included in one or several groups: family, preschool education, preschool group or school, work environment, in social institutions. Currently, Latvian school children going to nursery schools and pre-school groups to educational institutions (schools, learning institutions, etc.) which are registered in the register of educational institutions and licensed early childhood education programs. </em><em>Researching and analyzing the importance of pre-school education, it is important to recognize that early childhood education exercise a certain type of education and the extent to which, in accordance with the concepts and principles of the guidelines are designed curriculum, targeted programs for the acquisition of educational guidance and evaluation system. Educational institution as a complex system, changes in one component affects the other components in the quality and up to date further changes; System prosperity depends on the components of mutual unity: from the planning process, eligibility and conditionality for the development of a clear and purposeful strategy for raising educational institutions.</em><em> </em><em> </em></p><p><em>Educational process - it is all a child's life, organized and managed by an adult. This should ensure the child's teaching and learning, development, education, education as a whole, and where much attention is paid to children's brain development, linking it with the child's active participation. It also set a goal: to study the role of pre-school teacher teaching environment for pre-school institution group of high school.</em><em></em></p><p> </p>

The book titled Curriculum Development, Materials Design and Methodologies: Trends and Issues, brings together contributions that offer an insight into innovative strategies, noteworthy ideas and stimulating methods of teaching English used by teachers in their ESL Classrooms. The main objective of this book is to provoke the reader to bring in his or her own expertise and expand the learning possibilities in language teaching methods. It invites to self-reflection, and ultimately to self-improvement and development in order to achieve successful teaching and learning. It is structured into six major sections, dealing with various topics, as follows: I. Innovative teaching strategies (Chapters 1-5), II. Teaching strategies and language learning issues (Chapters 6-9), III. A review of past language teaching methodology – principles and practices (Chapters 10-15), IV. Using multimedia in English language teaching (Chapters 16-18), V. Curriculum design in the ELT/EFL context (Chapters 19-25) and VI. Teachers’ involvement in the creation, adaptation and selection of teaching materials (Chapters 26-29). Sarjit Kaur and Malini Ganapathy’s contribution, Innovative Ideas to Promote Creative Literacy Practices, tackles the concept of multiliteracy and its association with ICT’s and multimedia that underpin culturally-specific forms of literacy in pluralistic societies. Shobha Shinde, in Innovative Strategies in English Teaching – Learning in the Rural Context deals with strategies that teachers can adopt in a rural learning environment, where students are little exposed to authentic English language. The Use of Adapted Movies from Novels (The Kite Runner and The Namesake) as a Way to Stimulate Reading for Malaysian Students by Saabdev Kumar Sabapathy and Swagata Sinha Roy investigates the benefits of classroom reading practice, through watching a movie. Siti Rafizah Fatimah Osman and Mohamad Jafre Zainol Abidin’s contribution, Role-Play: Taking the Line of Least Resistance presents the way in which experiential learning, through role-play, contributes to the development of learner autonomy. The fifth chapter, A New Horizon in Writing Classes: Increasing Learners’ Autonomy, by Leily Ziglary and Rouzbeh Khalili explores the importance of collocations in language teaching. Language Learning Strategies: Current Issues, by Nafiseh Salehi and Rahim Kaviani examines learning strategies that are conducive to learner autonomy and empowerment. Mariah Ibrahim and Mohamad Jafre Zainol Abidin discuss in their chapter, Pedagogy of the Heart: Understanding Resistance in the English Language Classroom, the way in which students’ skills, behaviours, attitudes and interests are affected by what students actually bring from outside the classroom. The eighth chapter, Students’ and Teachers’ Preferences of ESL Classroom Activities, by Punitha Vayaravasamy and Anna Christina Abdullah brings forth the results of research into how teachers’ teaching is being received by Malaysian rural secondary school students. Innovative Ways of Teaching English and Foreign Languages by Peggy Tan Pek Tao looks into how drama and games improve students’ confidence and communicative skills. Collin Jerome’s contribution, titled What Do They Really Need? Developing Reading Activities to Explore the Elements in Literary Texts investigates the attitudes and opinions of undergraduate TESL and ESL students currently taking a specialised literature course. Chapter 11, The Teaching of Writing: Looking at the Real Classroom Scenes, by Mohd. Saat Abbas, Suzihana Shaharan and Yahya Che Lah discusses the efficiency of teaching methods for the development of writing skills in the case of rural secondary school students. Feedback in Process Genre-Based Approach to Teaching Technical Writing, by Shahrina Md Nordin, Norhisham Mohammad and Ena Bhattacharyya examines the role feedback plays in boosting students’ motivation for further study. Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury’s chapter, Lesson Plan and Its Importance in English Language Classroom, analyses the importance of planning, especially in schools with limited resources and teaching aids. Chapter 14, Unteaching Strategies: An Approach Based on Error Analysis, Learners’ Learning Strategies and Task-Based Instruction, by Ma’ssoumeh Bemani Naeini and Ambigapathy Pandian Su-Hie Ting and Mahanita Mahadhir’s contribution, Letting Communicative Purpose Direct Teaching of Grammar: Using the Text-Based Approach, introduces the idea of using the mother tongue in order to achieve the success of their tasks. Annotations in Multimedia On-Screen Text in Comparison to the Printed Text in Enhancing Learners’ of Process-Based Expository Text in Malaysia, by Saraswathy Thurairaj assesses whether the annotations identified in a multimedia on-screen text enable and enhance learners’ comprehension ability. Chapter 17, by Sarjit Kaur and Wong Chiew Lee, titled Transforming ESL Teaching by Embedding Information and Web Literacies into the Classroom, aims at identifying a what a computer-literate student’s skills are and how computer literacy should be integrated within the ESL classroom. Inranee R. Liew’s text, Scary Spiders and Beautiful Butterflies: A Creative Multimedia Approach to Develop Information Literacy Skills in the Integrated Science and English Classroom reinforces the importance of developing and using information literacy skills for lifelong learning. Chapter 19, The ESL Curriculum as an Additional Resource for Making Meaning, by Amy B.M. Tsui provides methodological guidelines as to teaching through story-writing. Mohamed Abu Bakar discusses the importance of teaching presentation skills in his chapter titled Speaking in the Language Curriculum: The Challenges of Presenting. In Chapter 21, GOLDEN RICE: Using Simulations in EAP Classes, Shashi Naidu tackles the issue of adapting simulations for Malaysian EAP classrooms at tertiary level. Are the Teaching Practices of Preschool Teachers in Accordance with the Principles and Learning Components of the National Preschool Curriculum? by Lily Law presents the result of a study aiming at assessing activities meant to meet the requirements of the National Preschool Curriculum. Mohammad Alshehab discusses in his chapter, The Contribution of Language Planning on Military Terminology provides practical suggestions as to the development of military students’ specialised lexicon. Chapter 24, The EFL Constructivist Classroom, by Hosna Hosseini, provides useful information for syllabus designers in organizing the curriculum based on “constructivist epistemology”. Zhang Xiaohong’s contribution, The Role of EFL Teachers’ Knowledge in Current EFL Curriculum Reform: An Understanding from a Reconstructionist Perspective tackles the importance of reconstructionist philosophy for teacher continuous education. Chapter 26, Using Materials Development to Bridge the Gap Between Theory and Practice, by Brian Tomlinson advocates the process of materials development in boosting teacher’s confidence and students’ involvement. Ting Su Hie and Diana Carol discuss in Teething Problems in Materials Development for Teaching Social Interaction Skills in English an experience of adopting a genre-based approach to creating a set of materials aimed at both students and teachers for the teaching of social interaction skills in English. In the chapter Principles to Follow When Adopting and Adapting Textbooks and Materials Earl D. Wyman brings forth a matrix for selecting, adopting or adapting teaching materials. Norhisham Mohamed and Alauyah Johari investigate in Politeness Strategies as an Incorporated Component in Material Development politeness strategies considered as such in a Malay academic setting. All in all, the book is an interesting source of information about the Malaysian educational settings.

Introduction. The relevance of the research is accounted for by the need to form a person’s supra-professional skills that are in demand in the context of the development of digitalisation of the living environment. The environment-focused mentality and lean production, along with other factors, are recognised by the employers as basic elements that can develop the employee’s professional flexibility, ability for interdisciplinary learning, generation of innovative ideas and actions, being in demand in the labour market. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the essential features of ecological education in the context of digitalisation of the Russian economy and the role of regional political structures therein. Materials and methods. Over 300 Russian citizens aged 18 to 65, residing in central Russia and the Far East, took part in the online survey. Results. It was revealed that 55% of the respondents assess the ecological state of their region as troubled and requiring concern, 3% estimate the ecological state of the region as excellent, 90% believe that schools need to introduce a special discipline dealing with environmental safety, 42% believe that they have been taught the fundamentals of environmental safety within the framework of the school curriculum. The study showed the need to extend the range of eco-oriented programmes within the education system, as well as the willingness of the population to acquire competencies aimed at changing the human impact on the environment. Prospects for further research. The research results can be used in the process of development of preschool and basic-school educational programmes, in supplementary and extracurricular education for primary and secondary school learners, to cultivate the ecological principles as basic guidelines for the living environment of the society.

NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000) addresses preschool mathematics education, which is a first for the NCTM's Standards documents. We celebrate this initial coverage but wonder whether Principles and Standards has enough detail for early childhood teachers and caregivers. We are concerned that although the document offers a good start, it might not provide sufficient guidelines. Without these guidelines, we face the danger that a wide variety of incoherent standards will be produced, some of which may be developmentally inappropriate. A lack of consistency across various standards and guidelines will continue to result in “mile wide and inch deep” curricula (National Center for Education Statistics 1996) as publishers struggle to meet a variety of different content standards and guidelines. Because we believe in the importance of supporting early communication and coordinating efforts among educational leaders and agencies, we held a national Conference on Standards for Preschool and Kindergarten Mathematics Education in May 2000, in Arlington, Virginia.

A song is a musical content in which melody and poetic text are unified, which makes it an ideal tool in all music activities with children of preschool and early primary school age. It also represents the core of integration of different school subjects, with a huge educational potential in language teaching (both mother tongue and foreign languages). In this paper we elaborate on the advantages of integrating English Language and Music Education academic courses in working with pre-service primary and preschool teachers who are trained to teach English to preschool and early primary school children. We examine students' music experience and their preferences, as well as their familiarity with the phonological elements of the language with the aim of improving the quality of teaching. The paper also presents the key results of the research conducted in 2018 and 2019 with the first and the second generations of students attending the course English Language for Children through Songs and Movement at the first year of their studies at the Teacher Education Faculty in Belgrade. Apart from providing useful insights for further teaching, the results of the research conducted on a convenience sample of 58 students (N = 58) confirmed the importance of integrating the two academic courses by reinforcing students' vocal development in English through songs and action songs as a fundamental tool in the cross-curricular integration. The results also offer new guidelines for the future exploratory research of teaching in university education. These guidelines have a broader pedagogical significance and methodological implications for the work of the future preschool and primary school teachers.

The purpose of this exploratory two site case study is to examine how teacher educators, student teachers and programme leaders experience their ‘curriculum developer role’ in times of change, against the background of a new national guideline for preschool teacher education being implemented in Norway. The multidisciplinary team approach established by policy for this reform is examined as a strategy to create coherent programmes. Data collected for the study include fifteen semi-structured interviews and four focus groups conducted at two educational institutions. Qualitative data processing software is used to process four stages of qualitative data analysis. The evidence indicates that the actors involved experienced the ‘reproduction’ of curriculum elements from before the recent reform to a modest extent. Most frequently, they describe incorporation of earlier practices, ‘moderate translation’, in order to meet the demands of multiple disciplines. ‘Radical translation’ also takes place as part of their new collaborative role.

In recent years, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) has received wide attention. STEAM complements early childhood learning needs in honing 2nd century skills. This study aims to introduce a loose section in early childhood learning to pre-service teachers and then to explore their perceptions of how to use loose parts in supporting STEAM. The study design uses qualitative phenomenological methods. FGDs (Focus Group Discussions) are used as data collection instruments. The findings point to two main themes that emerged from the discussion: a loose section that supports freedom of creation and problem solving. Freedom clearly supports science, mathematics and arts education while problem solving significantly supports engineering and technology education. Keywords: Early Childhood Educators, Loose-part, STEAM References: Allen, A. (2016). Don’t Fear STEM: You Already Teach It! Exchange, (231), 56–59. Ansberry, B. K., & Morgan, E. (2019). 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Playing with nature: Supporting preschoolers’ creativity in natural outdoor classrooms. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1), 70–95. Kuh, L., Ponte, I., & Chau, C. (2013). The impact of a natural playscape installation on young children’s play behaviors. Children, Youth and Environments, 23(2), 49–77. Lachapelle, C. P., Cunningham, C. M., & Oh, Y. (2019). What is technology? Development and evaluation of a simple instrument for measuring children’s conceptions of technology. International Journal of Science Education, 41(2), 188–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1545101 Liamputtong. (2010). Focus Group Methodology : Introduction and History. In Focus Group MethodoloGy (pp. 1–14). Liao, C. (2016). From Interdisciplinary to Transdisciplinary: An Arts-Integrated Approach to STEAM Education. 69(6), 44–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2016.1224873 Lindeman, K. W., & Anderson, E. M. (2015). Using Blocks to Develop 21st Century Skills. Young Children, 70(1), 36–43. Maxwell, L., Mitchell, M., and Evans, G. (2008). Effects of play equipment and loose parts on preschool children’s outdoor play behavior: An observational study and design intervention. Children, Youth and Environments, 18(2), 36–63. McClure, E., Guernsey, L., Clements, D., Bales, S., Nichols, J., Kendall-Taylor, N., & Levine, M. (2017). How to Integrate STEM Into Early Childhood Education. Science and Children, 055(02), 8–11. https://doi.org/10.2505/4/sc17_055_02_8 McClure, M., Tarr, P., Thompson, C. M., & Eckhoff, A. (2017). Defining quality in visual art education for young children: Building on the position statement of the early childhood art educators. Arts Education Policy Review, 118(3), 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/10632913.2016.1245167 Mishra, L. (2016). Focus Group Discussion in Qualitative Research. TechnoLearn: An International Journal of Educational Technology, 6(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-5223.2016.00001.2 Monhardt, L., & Monhardt, R. (2006). Creating a context for the learning of science process skills through picture books. Early Childhood Education Journal, 34(1), 67–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0108-9 Monsalvatge, L., Long, K., & DiBello, L. (2013). Turning our world of learning inside out! Dimensions of Early Childhood, 41(3), 23–30. Moomaw, S. (2012). STEM begins in the early years. School Science & Mathematics, 112(2), 57–58. Moomaw, S. (2016). Move Back the Clock, Educators: STEM Begins at Birth. School Science & Mathematics, 116(5), 237–238. Moomaw, S., & Davis, J. A. (2010). STEM Comes to Preschool. Young Cihildren, 12–18(September), 12–18. Munawar, M., Roshayanti, F., & Sugiyanti. (2019). Implementation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)-Based Early Childhood Education Learning in Semarang City. 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<p>http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2015v33n1p201</p><p>Este texto é resultado de análise de dados produzidos em trabalhos circunscritos ao nível pré-escolar, desenvolvidos com duas professoras em momentos e contextos distintos. As fontes de produção e análise dos dados para esse texto foram obtidos, principalmente, dos registros da prática de estágio supervisionado na Educação Infantil e durante pesquisa de mestrado em educação. A partir desses registros propõem-se algumas reflexões acerca do processo de apropriação da língua escrita por crianças em idade pré-escolar e são explorados aspectos da infância institucionalizada, a criação, a participação e a geração de novos potenciais que se entrecruzam com dimensões propostas nas ações docentes, como de controle e repetição. Questionam-se os sentidos das práticas “alfabetizadoras” em contraponto à leitura de mundo com crianças que fazem, sonham e vivem a potência da existência humana. Tais reflexões sobre os sentidos de alfabetizar na pré-escola são desenvolvidas à luz das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação Infantil e de referenciais próprios da área da alfabetização. As discussões apresentadas no presente texto consideram que a complexidade da infância permite compreender as crianças em imersão no universo da leitura e da escrita muito antes de frequentarem as escolas, encarando este momento como não exclusivo do início da vida escolar das crianças. Este processo pode ser encarado como uma iniciação ou acontecimento, em que as crianças também aprendem a ler e a escrever descobrindo os caminhos sem deixar de ser criança, visto que elas não aguardam, necessariamente, a escola para iniciarem essas aprendizagens.</p><p> </p><p><strong>The meanings of literacy in pre-school: some reflections</strong></p><p> <strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>This text is the result of data analysis produced in circumscribed work at pre-school level, developed with two teachers in different time and contexts. The production and data analysis sources for this text were obtained mainly from the stage of supervised practice records in kindergarten and from the master research in education. From these records we propose some reflections about the language appropriation process written by children of preschool age and we explore aspects of institutionalized childhood, creation, participation and generation of new potentials that cross each other with dimensions proposed in teaching actions, such as control and repetition. This paper questions the meanings of “literacy teachers” practices as opposed to the world reading with children who do, dream and live the power of human existence. Such reflections on the meanings of literacy in preschool are developed in the light of the National Curriculum Guidelines for Early Childhood Education and own references of literacy area. The discussions presented in this text consider the complexity of childhood allows us to understand the children in immersion in reading and writing universe long before attending schools, facing this moment as not exclusive to the beginning of children school life. This process can be seen as an initiation or event, where children also learn to read and write discovering the paths while remaining child, as they await not necessarily the school to take up such learning.</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Literacy. Literacy. Pre-school education.</p><p> </p><p><strong>El sentido de alfabetizar en el nivel inicial: algunas reflexiones</strong></p><p> <strong>Resumen</strong></p><p>El presente texto es resultado del análisis de datos producidos a partir de trabajos circunscriptos al nivel inicial (pre-escolar) desarrollados con dos maestras en momentos y contextos distintos. Las fuentes de producción y de análisis de los datos fueron obtenidas, principalmente, de los registros desarrollados durante la práctica de residencia en la Educación Infantil y durante la investigación de la maestría en educación. A partir de los registros proponemos algunas reflexiones en relación al proceso de apropiación de la lengua escrita por parte de los niños y niñas en la edad pre-escolar, como también son exploradas las dimensiones de infancia institucionalizada, creación, participación y generación de nuevas potenciales que se entrecruzan con dimensiones propuestas en las acciones docentes, como por ejemplo, control y repetición. Cuestionamos los sentidos de las prácticas “alfabetizadoras” en contrapunto a la lectura del mundo que los niños y niñas hacen, sueñan y viven el potencial de la existencia humana. Tales reflexiones sobre los sentidos de alfabetizar en la pre-escuela son desarrolladas a la luz de las Directrices Curriculares Nacionales para la Educación Infantil, Brasil y de referencias propias del área de alfabetización. Las discusiones presentadas en el presente texto consideran que la complejidad de la infancia nos permite comprender a los niños ya inmersos en la lectura y la escritura mucho antes de ir a la escuela, enfrentado este momento como algo no exclusivo del inicio de la vida escolar. Este proceso puede ser entendido como una iniciación o acontecimiento, en que los niños también aprenden a leer y a escribir descubriendo caminos sin dejar de ser niños, pues ellos no aguardan, necesariamente, la escuela para iniciar esos aprendizajes.</p><p><strong>Palabras claves:</strong> Alfabetización. Literacia. Educación preescolar.</p>

Bullying behaviour can have a negative impact on a child's physical and psychological health. Bullying in the classroom is a challenge for early-childhood educators. Preschool is the first place outside the home where children face social challenges when interacting with their classmates. Child-Friendly Class is the first step and part of the Children Friendly School (CSF) as a UNICEF program and an important Indonesian government policy to prevent the emergence of child bullying behaviour. This study aims to identify needs in the process of developing a Child-Friendly Classroom Management model to anticipate bullying behaviour. This research and development method uses an adaptation of the Rowntree model which includes three stages of the process and data collection techniques using interviews, questionnaires, and observation. The results of this study indicate that the preparation of an effective classroom management guidebook to create child-friendly classes needs to be followed up immediately. Several findings related to teachers' perceptions of classroom management, and child-friendly classes prove that child-friendly classes have not been implemented properly in PAUD institutions, with bullying behaviour still appearing in early childhood in PAUD institutions. PAUD teachers understand that it is important to implement classroom management but so far there has been no manual on how to manage effective classrooms as well as training related to the implementation of effective classroom management. The creation of child-friendly classes is believed to be able to help teachers suppress the emergence of bullying behaviour in early childhood. Keywords: Child-Friendly Classroom Management, Bullying Prevention, Early Childhood Education References: Allday, R. A., Hinkson-Lee, K., Hudson, T. 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Language skills are essential for early childhood, being able to speak clearly and process speech sounds, understand others, express ideas, and interact with others are the building blocks for a child's development. Therefore, this study will examine the effect of the Inside Outside Circle (IOC) instructional strategies with media images on children's language skills. This research is a quasi-experimental design with a posttest only and using a control group. The sample in this study were children in two kindergartens in the village of Banjar Tegal. Data analysis in this study was carried out by quantitative descriptive methods using t-test analysis techniques. The results of this study in kindergarten students in Banjar Tegal Village show that there is an influence of the IOC learning model with picture media on children's language skills (tcount = 6.28> ttable = 2.00). This shows that language skills achieved by groups of children participating in learning with the IOC model with drawing media are better than groups of children who attend learning without the IOC model. The implication is that further research is expected to develop other aspects of child devel- opment through the IOC model. Keywords: Children Language skills, Image media, Inside-Outside Circle Instructional Strategies Reference: Afrida, Ni., & Mahriza, R. (2019). Visual and Cognitive Media : The Language Acquisition of Children With Dyslexia in Aceh. IJLRES - International Journal on Language , Research and Education Studies, 3(1), 112–126. https://doi.org/10.30575/2017/IJLRES-2019010409 Al Otaiba, S., & Fuchs, D. (2006). Who are the young children for whom best practices in reading are ineffective? An experimental and longitudinal study. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(5), 414–431. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194060390050401 Asrifan, A. (2015). 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Since 2015, educational reform has been implemented in Bulgaria. It was initiated with the entry into force of the new Preschool and School Education Act36. On the basis of this law, new curricula were adopted in all subjects, including elementary classes in mathematics. Mathematics kits for elementary classes, along with textbooks, study notebooks, a teacher’s book already include electronic readable textbooks and e-textbooks. “Electronic Readable Textbook” is an electronic product whose content is exactly the same as the content of the approved textbook created as a print edition37. The e-textbook is an electronic product that contains additional electronic resources to the individual development of lesson topics, such as tasks, exercises, tests and more. This educational content enables modern students, aged 7-10, to work with electronic resources independently or under the guidance of a teacher, to reflect and consolidate mathematical knowledge and skills, to develop their digital skills, to increase their interest in mathematics. Modern academic preparation for elementary teachers should also include such theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and competences for working with electronic textbooks and with the electronic resources in them. The purpose of my research is to make an analysis of the content included in the electronic textbook for mathematics for the first grade of the Anubis publishing brand of the publishing house KLETT – Bulgaria.38 On the basis of this analysis, methodological guidelines will be developed for working with the different types of electronic resources, which will become part of the academic preparation of the pedagogical students in the university discipline “Didactics of mathematics in elementary classes”. A survey of 166 pedagogical students in bachelor’s and master’s degree on their opinion on e-textbooks conducted this year has yielded interesting and revealing results that confirm the need for updating their academic training in the field of e-textbooks. The majority of respondents believe that primary teachers should use e-books in their work – 83%. When asked which subject is most appropriate to use e-textbooks, mathematics ranks immediately after the natural and social sciences, with 58.4% of the respondents citing it as the most appropriate subject for applying e-textbooks. At the same time, one third of respondents (33.1%) said they did not feel prepared to work with e-books. Of all those surveyed, 81.4% believe that it is necessary to include preparation for work with e-textbooks in university courses in private didactics. This gave me reason to head to the topic of this article and to make a content analysis of an electronic first grade mathematics textbook by classifying the types of additional electronic resources in it.

Background: South African studies based on school readiness found that most children who commence formal schooling (from Grade 1) lack the basic skills needed to adapt within the learning environment – these include having challenges to follow instructions, work autonomously or focus on a task.Aim: The national guideline for teaching children between birth to 9 years does not specify how early childhood education programmes can facilitate or strengthen executive function (EF) skills through structured play. Structured play, can be understood as play activities that require guidance and instructions for completion. During the activities, the participants have to follow instructions in order to attain the outcome. Hence, there is a need to explore how EF skills can be developed through structured play. From our understanding, EF is an individual’s cognitive ability to regulate thoughts and actions needed to complete a task. Executive function skills assist learners to adjust and work effectively later (Grade 1) in a formal learning environment to perform academically.Setting: The study was conducted at preschool sites that follow different educational approaches. They are Montessori, National Curriculum Framework (NCF), Reggio Emilia and Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) preschools. The preschools are situated in affluent suburbs of Pretoria, Gauteng. In this article, learners refer to children aged 4 years in the Grade RRR class.Methods: A qualitative multiple case study design was utilised. We interacted with two teachers from four schools who followed different educational approaches. The data collection techniques included individual semi-structured interviews, lesson observation and document analysis, whilst photographs and field notes were taken when the teacher-participants interacted with learners during a planned learning experience. The generated data sets were inductively analysed and interpreted using the theoretical frameworks of sociocultural theory and metacognition.Results: The interpreted data sets revealed that the preschool teacher-participants can facilitate EF using games, songs, movement exercises or racing competitions. The participants explained that indoor, outdoor and learning experiences facilitated EF skills such as self-regulation, working memory and cognitive flexibility during structured play.Conclusion: There is a need for preschool teachers to identify EF in the curriculum and know how to link and intentionally include the skills in daily learning experiences. This will ensure learners acquire EF and apply it in formal learning environments. The contribution to the body of scholarship is the development of guidelines for teachers to intentionally and explicitly develop EF skills using structured play. We confer that teachers play a role in enabling fun, engaging and hands-on activities that promote the acquisition of EF in the early years.

BackgroundEarly childhood is a critical period during which patterns of movement behaviors are formed. The World Health Organization had endorsed guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep over a 24-h time period, which had been adopted by the Center for Health Protection of Hong Kong. This paper reports on stakeholder engagements that were conducted to inform the design of strategies to disseminate the guidelines in early childhood education (ECE) settings.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods study design, we sought to (a) assess the stakeholders' levels of awareness and knowledge of the Hong Kong movement guidelines for young children and (b) identify the factors that influence the uptake of the said guidelines. We conducted an online survey of early childhood education teachers (N =314), twelve focus groups involving teachers (N = 18) and parents (N = 18), and individual interviews of key informants (N = 7) and domestic workers who provide care for preschool-aged children (N = 7). Descriptive statistics were used for the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data using an inductive and semantic approach following a realist framework.FindingsOur findings show that teachers were aware of the movement guidelines for young children, but their knowledge of the specific guidelines was deficient; parents and domestic workers had limited awareness and knowledge of the guidelines. Uptake of the movement guidelines is enabled by parent engagement, activities in the ECE centers, home-school cooperation, and community activities for children. The challenges include the time poverty of parents, local curriculum requirements, limited physical spaces, social values, and pandemic-related restrictions.ConclusionWe recommend that dissemination strategies in the ECE context should deliver knowledge content and support stakeholders in mitigating the challenges associated with time, space, and social conditions.

This study looks at the quality of preschool teacher education in Ethiopia in view of three basic components: curriculum relevance, profiles of teacher educators, and the selection and recruitment of candidates. The study adopted a case study design guided by competency-based teacher development theory and collected data through documentary analysis (the curriculum and recruitment guideline), and interviews of five professionals. The findings showed that the preschool teacher education curriculum has alignment gaps in four major aspects: (a) the preschool teacher education curriculum focused on subject area contents rather than on holistic child development, (b) the preschool teacher education curriculum overlooked motor skills as well as socio-emotional development categories, and (c) languages of instructions at preschool teacher education and preschool level are different (English and mother tongue respectively). Besides, invited professionals from other departments offer 36 of the 42 courses but lacked appropriate professional orientation and experiences to prepare the less capable candidates admitted to the program. Accordingly, policy intervention to make appropriate amendments in the curriculum, staff profiles and practicum components, and further research on views of graduates and relevant stakeholders were identified as areas of further endeavors.

Abstract Background Developmental-behavioral issues are among the most frequent and disabling conditions of children and adolescents seen in ambulatory settings. Guidelines of the Israeli Pediatric Association and the Israeli Society for Developmental Pediatrics specify the role of the primary-care pediatrician in screening and early identification of mild developmental behavioral conditions and define the criteria for referral to child development institutes. The aims of this study were to examine and describe how directors of these institutes perceive the role and involvement of community pediatricians in child development. Methods Qualitative interviews of the directors of 22 child development institutes from the ministry of health and the four health plans. Results According to the interviewees, there is little involvement of community pediatricians in detecting developmental delays, and it is mainly nurses and preschool teachers who detect such delays. They report that the key barriers that deter community pediatricians from greater involvement in child development diagnosis and treatment are lack of time, lack of compensation, and insufficient clinical knowledge. The interviewees would like to see community pediatricians conducting the primary medical evaluation, providing parental guidance, referring to therapists in mild cases, exercising discretion before referring children to child development institutes and providing relevant information to the institutes in the referral process. The mechanisms that they proposed for increasing the involvement of community pediatricians were expansion of pediatricians’ training, increased pediatricians’ use of teleconsultation with child development specialists and incentives for thorough performance of developmental assessments. Conclusions Due to the importance of the Issue, we strongly recommend that policymakers require child development principles, evaluation, and providing appropriate parental guidance in the curriculum of the Israeli pediatric residency program. In addition, health plans should compensate pediatricians who need to conduct longer visits for children with developmental delays. The health plans should also develop teleconsultation channels for pediatricians with child development specialists to reduce unnecessary referrals to child development institutes.

<p><strong>Guest editors: Joanne Lehrer (Université du Québec en Outaouais), Christine Massing (University of Regina), Scott Hughes (Mount Royal University), and Alaina Roach O’Keefe (University of Prince Edward Island)</strong></p><p>Not only is professional learning conceptualised as critical for increasing educational quality and enhancing children’s learning and developmental outcomes (e.g. Lazarri et al., 2013; Munton et al., 2002; Penn, 2009; Vandenbroeck et al., 2016), but specific elements of professional learning (in both initial and continuing education, or preservice and in-service learning) have been identified as essential to transforming early childhood educators’ and preschool teachers’ professional identities and practice. For example, critical and supported reflection (Thomas &amp; Packer, 2013), learning experiences that target entire teams (Vangrieken, Dochy, &amp; Raes, 2016), collaborative and empowering practice (Helterbran &amp; Fennimore, 2004), and competent leadership (Colmer et al., 2008) have all been found to be effective means of supporting professional learning.</p><p>While there appears to be consensus in the literature around <em>what</em> needs to be done, and even around <em>how</em> it should be done, numerous constraints prevent the implementation and maintenance of sustainable and transformational professional learning in ECEC. Vandenbroeck and colleagues (2016) go beyond the focus on individuals and childcare teams, identifying two further levels necessary for competent systems of professional learning: partnerships between local early childhood programs and social, cultural, and educational institutions (such as colleges and universities); and governance regarding vision, finance, and monitoring. In the Canadian context, the Canadian Child Care Federation has also stressed the importance of a system-wide strategy to strengthen the child care workforce (CCCF, 2016). However, early childhood services in Canada are under the purview of the provincial and territorial governments and, therefore, the conditions, regulations, certification requirements, curriculum documents, and educational systems vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The educational requirements for certification, for example, may include no formal training (in NWT and Nunavut), one entry-level short course, one-year certificates, or two-year diplomas. This complicates efforts to define who the early childhood professional is and what opportunities are constitutive of professional learning (Prochner, Cleghorn, Kirova, &amp; Massing, 2016). While these disparities within the field may impede the development of a cohesive strategy, Campbell et al. (2016) recently asserted that much can be learned from sharing and appreciating the rich diversity of approaches to professional learning both within and across provinces and territories. In addition, examples from other countries serve to broaden the discussion and expand our understanding of what is possible (Vandenboreock et al., 2016).</p><p>This special issue, then, is dedicated to sharing stories of hope and coordinated action, linking theory with practice. We seek Canadian and international submissions related to professional learning practices that extend beyond individual programs, showcasing partnerships and community mobilization efforts within and across various settings for young children (child care, Kindergarten, drop-in centres, etc.) in relation to philosophical, practical, critical, transformative, personal, and/or hopeful themes. Each submission will respond to one or more of the key questions, including, but not limited to:</p><ul><li>How can professional learning be conceptualised?</li><li>How do we build and maintain effective partnerships to foster professional learning?</li><li>What strategies for transformative community mobilization might be shared?</li><li>How can innovative strategies be applied on a wider scale?</li><li>How might taken-for-granted professional learning and evaluation practice be disrupted?</li><li>What story about professional learning do you need (or want) to tell?</li><li>How has your community been transformed through a particular activity, event, or practice?</li><li>How might the lives and futures of children be positively shaped by engagement in partnerships and mobilization?</li><li>Where might we be in 5, 10, or 15 years through such endeavours?</li></ul><p>We welcome submissions in multiple formats, including research articles, theoretical papers, multimedia pieces, art work, book reviews, and so forth. These may be submitted in English, French, or in any Canadian Indigenous language. </p><p>Submissions are due August 1, 2017 and should be submitted as per <a href="http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/jcs/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions">Journal of Childhood Studies submission guidelines. </a></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p> </p><p>References</p><p>Campbell, C., Osmond-Johnson, P., Faubert, B., Zeichner, K., Hobbs-Johnson, A. with S. Brown, P. DaCosta, A. Hales, L. Kuehn, J. Sohn, &amp; K. Steffensen (2016). <em>The state of educators’ professional learning in Canada</em>. Oxford, OH: Learning Forward.</p><p>Canadian Child Care Foundation [CCCF], (2016). <em>An Early Learning and Child Care Framework for Canada’s Children</em>. Retrieved from: http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/wp-content/uploads/CCCF_Framework-ENG.pdf</p><p>Colmer, K., Waniganayake, M. &amp; Field, L. (2014). Leading professional learning in early childhood centres: who are the educational leaders<em>?, Australasian Journal of Early Childhood</em>, 39(4), 103-113.</p><p>Helterbran, V.R. &amp; Fennimore, B.S. (2004). Early childhood professional development: Building from a base of teacher investigation. <em>Early Childhood Education Journal, 31</em>(4), 267-271.</p><p>Lazarri, A., Picchio, M., &amp; Musatti, T. (2013). Sustaining ECEC quality through continuing professional development: systemic approaches to practitioners’ professionalization in the Italian context. <em>Early Years: An International Research Journal, 33</em>(2), 133-145.</p><p>Munton, T., Mooney, A., Moss, P., Petrie, P., Calrk, A., Woolner, J. et al., (2002). <em>Research on ratios, group size, and staff qualifications and training in early years and childcare settings</em>. London: University of London.</p><p>Penn, H. (2009). <em>Early childhood education and care: Key lessons from research for policy makers</em>. Brussels: Nesse.</p><p>Prochner, L., Cleghorn, A., Kirova, A., &amp; Massing, C. (2016). <em>Teacher education in diverse settings: Making space for intersecting worldviews</em>. Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.</p><p>Thomas, S., &amp; Packer, D. S. (2013). A Reflective Teaching Road Map for Pre-service and Novice Early Childhood Educators. <em>International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education</em>, <em>5</em>(1), 1-14.</p><p>Vandenbroeck, M., Peeters, J., Urban, M. &amp; Lazzari, A. (2016). Introduction. In M. Vandenbroeck, M. Urban &amp; J. Peeters (Eds.) <em>Pathways to Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care</em>, (pp. 1-14). London: Routledge.</p><p>Vangrieken, K., Dochy, F., &amp; Raes, E. (2016). Team learning in teacher teams: team entitativity as a bridge between teams-in-theory and teams-in-practice. <em>European Journal Of Psychology Of Education - EJPE (Springer Science &amp; Business Media B.V.)</em>, <em>31</em>(3), 275-298. doi:10.1007/s10212-015-0279-0</p>

<table id="announcementDescription" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Guest editors: Joanne Lehrer (Université du Québec en Outaouais), Christine Massing (University of Regina), Scott Hughes (Mount Royal University), and Alaina Roach O’Keefe (University of Prince Edward Island)</strong></p><p>Not only is professional learning conceptualised as critical for increasing educational quality and enhancing children’s learning and developmental outcomes (e.g. Lazarri et al., 2013; Munton et al., 2002; Penn, 2009; Vandenbroeck et al., 2016), but specific elements of professional learning (in both initial and continuing education, or preservice and in-service learning) have been identified as essential to transforming early childhood educators’ and preschool teachers’ professional identities and practice. For example, critical and supported reflection (Thomas &amp; Packer, 2013), learning experiences that target entire teams (Vangrieken, Dochy, &amp; Raes, 2016), collaborative and empowering practice (Helterbran &amp; Fennimore, 2004), and competent leadership (Colmer et al., 2008) have all been found to be effective means of supporting professional learning.</p><p>While there appears to be consensus in the literature around <em>what</em> needs to be done, and even around <em>how</em> it should be done, numerous constraints prevent the implementation and maintenance of sustainable and transformational professional learning in ECEC. Vandenbroeck and colleagues (2016) go beyond the focus on individuals and childcare teams, identifying two further levels necessary for competent systems of professional learning: partnerships between local early childhood programs and social, cultural, and educational institutions (such as colleges and universities); and governance regarding vision, finance, and monitoring. In the Canadian context, the Canadian Child Care Federation has also stressed the importance of a system-wide strategy to strengthen the child care workforce (CCCF, 2016). However, early childhood services in Canada are under the purview of the provincial and territorial governments and, therefore, the conditions, regulations, certification requirements, curriculum documents, and educational systems vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The educational requirements for certification, for example, may include no formal training (in NWT and Nunavut), one entry-level short course, one-year certificates, or two-year diplomas. This complicates efforts to define who the early childhood professional is and what opportunities are constitutive of professional learning (Prochner, Cleghorn, Kirova, &amp; Massing, 2016). While these disparities within the field may impede the development of a cohesive strategy, Campbell et al. (2016) recently asserted that much can be learned from sharing and appreciating the rich diversity of approaches to professional learning both within and across provinces and territories. In addition, examples from other countries serve to broaden the discussion and expand our understanding of what is possible (Vandenboreock et al., 2016).</p><p>This special issue, then, is dedicated to sharing stories of hope and coordinated action, linking theory with practice. We seek Canadian and international submissions related to professional learning practices that extend beyond individual programs, showcasing partnerships and community mobilization efforts within and across various settings for young children (child care, Kindergarten, drop-in centres, etc.) in relation to philosophical, practical, critical, transformative, personal, and/or hopeful themes. Each submission will respond to one or more of the key questions, including, but not limited to:</p><ul><li>How can professional learning be conceptualised?</li><li>How do we build and maintain effective partnerships to foster professional learning?</li><li>What strategies for transformative community mobilization might be shared?</li><li>How can innovative strategies be applied on a wider scale?</li><li>How might taken-for-granted professional learning and evaluation practice be disrupted?</li><li>What story about professional learning do you need (or want) to tell?</li><li>How has your community been transformed through a particular activity, event, or practice?</li><li>How might the lives and futures of children be positively shaped by engagement in partnerships and mobilization?</li><li>Where might we be in 5, 10, or 15 years through such endeavours?</li></ul><p>We welcome submissions in multiple formats, including research articles, theoretical papers, multimedia pieces, art work, book reviews, and so forth. These may be submitted in English, French, or in any Canadian Indigenous language. </p><p><span>Submissions are due August 1, 2017</span> and should be submitted as per <a href="http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/jcs/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions">Journal of Childhood Studies submission guidelines. </a></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p> </p><p>References</p><p>Campbell, C., Osmond-Johnson, P., Faubert, B., Zeichner, K., Hobbs-Johnson, A. with S. Brown, P. DaCosta, A. Hales, L. Kuehn, J. Sohn, &amp; K. Steffensen (2016). <em>The state of educators’ professional learning in Canada</em>. Oxford, OH: Learning Forward.</p><p>Canadian Child Care Foundation [CCCF], (2016). <em>An Early Learning and Child Care Framework for Canada’s Children</em>. Retrieved from: http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/wp-content/uploads/CCCF_Framework-ENG.pdf</p><p>Colmer, K., Waniganayake, M. &amp; Field, L. (2014). Leading professional learning in early childhood centres: who are the educational leaders<em>?, Australasian Journal of Early Childhood</em>, 39(4), 103-113.</p><p>Helterbran, V.R. &amp; Fennimore, B.S. (2004). Early childhood professional development: Building from a base of teacher investigation. <em>Early Childhood Education Journal, 31</em>(4), 267-271.</p><p>Lazarri, A., Picchio, M., &amp; Musatti, T. (2013). Sustaining ECEC quality through continuing professional development: systemic approaches to practitioners’ professionalization in the Italian context. <em>Early Years: An International Research Journal, 33</em>(2), 133-145.</p><p>Munton, T., Mooney, A., Moss, P., Petrie, P., Calrk, A., Woolner, J. et al., (2002). <em>Research on ratios, group size, and staff qualifications and training in early years and childcare settings</em>. London: University of London.</p><p>Penn, H. (2009). <em>Early childhood education and care: Key lessons from research for policy makers</em>. Brussels: Nesse.</p><p>Prochner, L., Cleghorn, A., Kirova, A., &amp; Massing, C. (2016). <em>Teacher education in diverse settings: Making space for intersecting worldviews</em>. Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.</p><p>Thomas, S., &amp; Packer, D. S. (2013). A Reflective Teaching Road Map for Pre-service and Novice Early Childhood Educators. <em>International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education</em>, <em>5</em>(1), 1-14.</p><p>Vandenbroeck, M., Peeters, J., Urban, M. &amp; Lazzari, A. (2016). Introduction. In M. Vandenbroeck, M. Urban &amp; J. Peeters (Eds.) <em>Pathways to Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care</em>, (pp. 1-14). London: Routledge.</p><p>Vangrieken, K., Dochy, F., &amp; Raes, E. (2016). Team learning in teacher teams: team entitativity as a bridge between teams-in-theory and teams-in-practice. <em>European Journal Of Psychology Of Education - EJPE (Springer Science &amp; Business Media B.V.)</em>, <em>31</em>(3), 275-298. doi:10.1007/s10212-015-0279-0</p></td></tr></tbody></table>