This article investigates generalist kindergarten teachers' academic music training based on data collected from students undertaking an undergraduate degree in preschool (kindergarten) education (students aged 4-6 years) in Greece. The study was carried out through a questionnaire survey that addressed students' aspirations when entering the…

Introduction: The sense of touching is positively related to a number of environmental stimuli and forms an effective way of non verbal communication. More specifically, it can produce and transmit various personal experiences in the context of what we call "beneficial touching behaviours", which characterise the ongoing pedagogical…

The aim of the present study was to evaluate six characteristics of effective special pre-school teachers, similar to those used in the relevant literature. The study participants were all special teachers (n = 226), serving in Greek state and community pre-primary educational institutions (i.e. kindergartens and day nurseries) for children with…

Background: Collaborative action research provides teachers with the framework and methodology to reflect upon their work and take action with regard to specific concerns and situations in their classrooms. Within this approach, internal evaluation could be a useful tool to help teachers develop critical thinking about their work by locating areas…

Computers were introduced in Greek kindergartens of our country with the new curricula for kindergarten, "Inter-disciplinary Integrated Framework of Study Programs," ("Official Journal of the Hellenic Republic," 376 t.B/18-10-2001, article 6), in order to contribute to the spherical growth of children and to extend their…

This paper reports on a study conducted among Greek kindergarten teachers aiming to explore their conceptual frameworks on a major environmental issue of our times: the ozone layer depletion. The choice of this particular issue was premised on its novelty, complexity and abstractness which present teachers with difficulties in its teaching. A free…

Examined kindergarten social studies activities in Greece and kindergarten teachers' attitudes and training concerning the application of such activities. Found that teachers seem to understand the importance of social studies, and most occupy their students with social studies activities to a satisfactory extent. Those who did not cited lack of…

This study investigated the management approaches employed by nursery teachers in Greece to deal with children's behavior problems. In particular, the extent, frequency of use, and effectiveness of behavioral, cognitive, and punitive approaches were investigated with regard to conduct, emotional, and developmentally related problems. Participating…

Compared Greek and Scottish preschool staff responses to questionnaire regarding sexuality and sex education. Found that staff agreed on importance of sexual development, some long-term aims of sex education, and the moral dimension of sex education. Staff differed in extent to which they thought families and preschools should provide sex…

This study examined young children's spontaneous participation during classroom book reading in response to different types of books. Twenty kindergarten teachers read four books--two fiction (familiar/unfamiliar story format) and two information books (expository/narrative text). The majority of children's spontaneous participation was related to…

This qualitative evaluation study explored the active classroom practices that early years teachers adopt when they introduce kindergartners to science in Greece. Findings indicated a considerable gap between the proposed and implemented curriculum. Findings also identified a number of factors that were not optimal and confirmed that early years…

This study investigated 100 Greek nursery school teachers' views on children's transition to nursery school and the difficulties children face during adjustment. Findings indicated that although 70 percent of teachers reported 1 to 4 "difficult" children, problems were attributed primarily to family and social environments. Findings…

Examined the effect of Greek kindergarten teachers' experience on their perceptions of the acceptability and frequency of use of intervention strategies with children having mild learning and behavior problems. Found that specialist consultation, positive intervention, and negative intervention influenced both acceptability and usage of these…

Investigated Greek kindergarten teachers' science knowledge and how they use this knowledge in the classroom. Found that teachers' content knowledge in science and their understanding of the concepts they introduce in class are rather limited, and most teachers held ideas that do not coincide with current scientific ideas. Examined the sources and…

A written questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding Greek kindergarten teachers' personal views on the concept of Environmental Education (EE). The questionnaire was also designed to obtain the teachers' views relative to a series of theoretical and methodological issues concerning the application of EE. It was ascertained that the…