This paper highlights the similarities and differences of seven nature kindergarten programmes in Australia and New Zealand. The study targeted three programmes from New Zealand and four from Australia. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to build a profile of each site. The profiles were compared on factors such as…

In order to meet the needs of young children, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recommends teachers utilize developmentally appropriate practice, DAP. For young children with disabilities, teachers must also utilize the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended practices, evidence-based teaching practices…

Greece is one of the many countries, which still utilize a split Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system. In fact, this dichotomy characterizes not only preschool programs, but also higher education institutions which train pre-service ECEC educators. Recently, Greek government's Organization for ECEC organized an open debate for the…

The aim of this research is to determine the attitudes of mathematics teacher candidates towards scientific research and their thinking style and whether there is a significant relationship between these two. The sample of the research is constituted of 83 second year students studying at the Mathematics Education Department, Ahmet Kelesoglu…

This article describes how practice-based coaching was used with Early Head Start infant and toddler teachers to support their use of evidence-based language facilitation strategies. Video-based self-refection and focused feedback allowed teachers to recognize what they were already doing well and increased the fidelity of evidence-based…

This study examined whether Norwegian children who were referred to The School Psychology Services (SPS) for either language difficulties or social difficulties at kindergarten age demonstrated co-existing weak skills in the other area at 33 months and whether some of them could have been identified and referred earlier. Forty-three children…

A real-time, multidimensional, professional-development program that is connected to both practice and school culture was delivered to a group of Montessori teachers with the goal of improving teaching practices and increasing student success by exploring the potential benefits of mindfulness, structured reflective practice, and teacher-centered…

This paper provides an empirical account of the complex nature of early childhood teachers' work with growing accountability demands for collecting, reporting, and using child assessment data in the U.S. context. Particularly, this paper focuses on preschool teachers' experience of changes in their roles and pedagogical work in implementing a…

This paper presents an account of a cross-sectorial study investigating whether shared understandings of practices might enhance continuity during transitions to school. Applying an ontological lens to cross-sectorial leading practices, the paper sheds light on the contextualised realities of transitions to school as a site specific lived…

Early childhood professionals have an important role in supporting young children's interest and engagement in STEM education. This study explores conceptualisations of STEM and beliefs about its importance in early childhood held by early childhood professionals. The "Early Childhood STEM Habits of Mind Framework," described in this…

Quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences during the early years provide young learners with a critical foundation for future learning and development. Engineering design is a context that can be used to facilitate connections and learning across STEM, however there is limited research examining the use of…

Today, children with hearing loss are often identified at birth, fitted with advanced hearing technology, and enrolled in family-centered early intervention. Most of these children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten or first grade with language competencies that rival their hearing peers. For these children to be successful communicators…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of performance-based feedback (PF) delivered via email on early childhood teachers' sustained use of recommended practices within inclusive early childhood classrooms. A multiple baseline design across behaviors was replicated across three teachers to examine the relation between PF delivered via…

After a first peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, early childhood education and care (ECEC) again plays an important role in the educational system in Austria. Over 90% of 3-5-year-old children attend non-familial institutions such as preschools. A consequence of this development is that new challenges arise, which have become the subject of…

This study examines the two kindergarten teachers' shared professional identities in teamwork in an effort to clarify what constitutes their shared identities and how these identities affect the teachers' professional practices and beliefs. The relational nature of identity maintains that individuals are not the only constructors of their…