This book provides a holistic overview of what leads to success in foreign language learning at an early age and deepens our understanding of early foreign language learning. The studies use an array of methodological approaches to research learners aged between three and ten, as well as their parents and teachers, in instructional, minimal-input…

This enlightening handbook offers current, international perspectives on the conditions in communities, contemporary practices in schooling, relevant research on teaching and learning, and implications for the future of education. It contains diverse conceptual frameworks for analyzing existing issues in education, including but not limited to…

The "Handbook of Research Methods in Early Childhood Education" brings together in one source research techniques that researchers can use to collect data for studies that contribute to the knowledge in early childhood education. To conduct valid and reliable studies, researchers need to be knowledgeable about numerous research…

By asking three first-grade teachers to respond to actions taking place in their classrooms, researchers made an attempt to identify the beliefs or constructs that underlie teacher decisions. The following research questions were addressed: Is there a system of professional constructs that can be identified in early childhood teachers? and, To…

Examines the needs and direction of skills of 40 early childhood teachers. Educators in preschool education settings were interviewed and given a questionnaire with 24 items that addressed skill areas of the preservice teacher. A variety of skill areas were identified as extremely important. (RJC)

The chapters in this book reflect the work of science and mathematics educators who have worked for many years at the international level. As members of the International Consortium for Research in Science and Mathematics Education, their work provides readers with issues, models, practices, and research results that have applicability and…

The paper summarizes results from two Illinois studies on the roles of educational personnel (n=420) employed in special programs for infants/toddlers and three- to five-year-olds, and evaluates preservice training needs of these personnel. Time spent in various roles and perceptions of ideal emphasis on role areas during preservice are discussed.…

Educators' roles in identification of abused/neglected children, subsequent reporting, and techniques for interviewing suspected abused children are discussed. Educators' expanded role in abuse prevention, involving such activities as offering courses in parenting, child safety/protection, and human sexuality, is examined, followed by a…

Studied computer use in licensed preschool and day care programs in Dane County, Wisconsin. Results indicated substantial levels of frustration. Effective computer use presented administrators and teachers with challenges related to personnel, curriculum, and practical concerns. (BB)

Advocates the systematic integration of preschool and primary education and the development of special training for teachers at that level. Outlines the goals and objectives for each year of study for this teacher education program. Discusses the child development theories inherent in the instruction. (MJP)

Presented in this paper are a selective review and summary of recent research findings concerning the adult's role in infant development. After an introduction setting forth assumptions guiding the selection of issues and findings, the first section discusses research on parent/infant interaction. Some of the classic concepts of infant…

This book discusses what can be done to extend literacy and raise literacy standards for all sections of the population, the relationship between home learning and school learning, and the role of parents in their children's education, focusing on the situation in England. It is designed to assist teachers who work cooperatively with parents in…

This book consists of a set of studies and essays that represent the best work being done in the area of qualitative research in early childhood settings (children from birth to about age 8). Research in this area involves studies of young children in educational contexts, day care, and preschool settings. The Introduction, "Qualitative…

This book presents five papers that address a variety of issues confronting those who work directly with young children and their teachers. The first three articles present ways of thinking about what constitutes professionalism in working with children and parents. Specifically, "Contemporary Perspectives on the Roles of Mothers and…