The study of the process of becoming a student is currently a key issue in educational science and psychology research. However, there is no consensus on its definition. Based on a redefinition of the concept from a psychodevelopmental and contextual perspective (Bronfenbrenner, 2005; Malrieu, 1973), the aim of this study is to document the inter-…

Although the acceptance of educational apps and their contributions to learning have been widely researched, none of these studies have examined links between teachers' acceptance of apps and their students' skills. The present study investigated this issue with respect to a new, French-language educational app for helping preschool children…

The development of early numeracy skills in preschoolers is an important predictor of future academic performance. A multiplicity of tasks or tests measure early numeracy skills in the English-language. Nevertheless, no tools are currently in French for evaluating and monitoring the development of young children's early numeracy skills. The…

Studies that measure the effectiveness of language-training program for children's language development do not clearly identify in adult-child interaction which characteristics of educators' language are most effective, particularly for children over 4 years of age who need to develop complex syntactic skills. Our study aimed to analyze the…

The paper is set in socio-material farming to offer a way of conceptualising actions and interactions of children in preschool involved in the understanding of scientific concepts. A model of early science education about the physical phenomena of shadow formation is implemented in group work in a French context. The research involved 44 children…

Background: This work is based on the idea that young children benefit from early introduction of scientific concepts. Few researches describe didactical strategies focusing on physics understanding for young children and analyse their effectiveness in standard classroom environments. Purpose: The aim is to identify whether didactical strategies…

This article presents data from a longitudinal study undertaken in a pre-primary classroom of 3-4-year-old emergent bi/plurilingual children during their first year of formal schooling in France. It focuses on how the teacher's intercultural competence facilitated the emergent bilingual children's transition from home to school and fostered…

In France, dominant monolingual discourses and teachers' lack of knowledge about bilingualism and second language acquisition often result in 'French only' policies in classrooms including in pre-school classrooms where some emergent bilingual children speak a language other than the language of schooling and very little or no French. These…

In the light of the European Union's interest in creativity and innovation, this paper, drawing on data from the EU project Creative Little Scientists (2011-2014), explores the teaching and learning of science and creativity in Early Years education. The project's conceptual framework, developed from detailed analysis of relevant literatures,…

This article looks at a cross-cultural analysis of interviews of (im/migrant and non-im/migrant) preschool teachers and parents, concerning im/migrant children enrolled in the French "ecole maternelle", in the context of the international Children Crossing Borders (CCB) research project. Interviews were conducted in France following a…

Provides a detailed description and evaluation of the French system of preschool nursery schools for children aged two to six. (SL)

In a world increasingly attentive to the educational needs of preschool children, the French "ecole maternelle" occupies a position of special eminence. This research compares preschool provision in England and France and simultaneously examines the degree that the "ecole maternelle" is open and informal in its ethos.…

Intends to show in tutor-novice problem-solving situations that the frequency and nature of the novice's requests vary with the type of tutor. Examines frequency, form, and content of children's requests with a child tutor, their mother, and a female experimenter. Reports and discusses the findings. (DSK)

Attempted to identify the defining features of friends' interactions. Eighteen same-sex triads composed of children between four and five years of age with numerous matching objects were videotaped. Six interactional features were identified. The privileged character of friends' interaction was maintained in triads. (RH)

Discusses the historical basis of French preprimary schools. Describes mornings in classrooms with two- to three- and five- to six-year-olds. Discusses teachers' responses to children's observations, play, and practical knowledge. (RJC)