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This study was designed to determine the psychometric properties of the School Readiness Assessment Tool (SRAT), a new measurement tool for assessing school readiness. The measure aims to assess preschool children's school readiness by estimating their academic, motor, social, emotional, and self regulation skills. Both academic and motor skills are assessed through direct child observation while teacher ratings evaluate social-emotional and self-regulation skills. 228 children attending preschool participated in the study's first phase and 185 children in the second phase. The results show that the items of the new measurement tool had sufficient internal consistency. Both study phases also showed strong evidence of face (content) and construct validity (i.e., convergent and concurrent validity). Overall, the results show that SRAT is a promising new measure for school readiness among preschoolers in Türkiye. In addition to the evidence from randomized control trials, studies should be conducted to determine its psychometric properties with diverse samples, such as rural children and children not enrolled in preschool education.

Children's picturebooks present meaningful opportunities for thinking through life's important questions. In this article, the authors outline the process and benefits of using picturebooks to support philosophical inquiry amongst preschool and elementary aged children. We discuss how philosophical inquiry can promote critical thinking in children, considerations in the use of culturally responsive and abolitionist feminist curriculum and pedagogy in teaching philosophy, and we highlight the utility of multiple stakeholder collaboration for successful philosophical inquiry projects in schools. The article closes by discussing key recommendations for the implementation of philosophical inquiry programs in preschool and elementary schools.

Within the field of K-2 computer science (CS) education, unplugged computational thinking (CT) activities have been suggested as beneficial for younger students and shown to impact young students' skills and motivation to learn about CS. This study sought to examine how children demonstrate CT competencies in unplugged sequencing tasks and how children use manipulatives to solve unplugged sequencing tasks. This case study approach examined two unplugged sequencing tasks for six children ranging from ages five to eight (pre-kindergarten to 2nd grade). Children showed evidence of several CT competencies during the sequencing tasks: (1) pattern recognition, (2) algorithms and procedures, (3) problem decomposition, and (4) debugging. The strategies and use of manipulatives to showcase CT competencies seemed to evolve in complexity based on age and developmental levels. Taking into account children's abilities to demonstrate CT competencies, this study suggests that sequencing is a developmentally appropriate entry point for young children to begin engaging in other CT competencies. In addition, these unplugged sequencing tasks can also be easily integrated into other activities commonly experienced in early childhood classrooms.

School readiness assessments in South Africa still predominantly focus on the assessment of cognitive skills. The Emotional Social Screening Tool for School Readiness (E3SR) was developed to bridge the perceived gap in assessing emotional-social skills as a domain of school readiness. An emerging body of research reports exists on the psychometric properties and factor structure of the E3SR. An initial validation study recommended a 6-factor solution instead of the theoretical 9-factor model that was proposed in the development of the E3SR. The E3SR (Revised) was also reduced in length. We report here on a pilot study of which the aim was to establish the reliability and construct validity of the E3SR (Revised). A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data from 9 pre-schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Pre-school teachers (n = 24) constituted the respondent group who completed the E3SR (Revised) screening questionnaires on Grade R learners (n = 394). Analysis was conducted on 321 completed screening questionnaires. With the data analysis we aimed to: a) summarise sample characteristics of teachers and children; b) establish reliability estimates; and c) establish construct validity and confirming the factor structure. Ethics clearance was given by the Humanities and Social Science Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) of the University of the Western Cape. The study adhered to stipulated ethics requirements. Data failed to show multivariate normality; however, this violation of normality was expected and was theoretically supported. The sample size (n = 321) was sufficient for factor analysis of a 36-item scale. All subscales showed excellent reliability: Cronbach's alphas ranged between 0.939 and 0.971. CFA results demonstrated a good model fit. The E3SR (Revised) was found to be reliable and valid for use. The use of a rigorous methodological process including the decision-making matrix represent good research practice that can be used in instrument development across cultures.

Although there is increased interest in social and emotional competence and mental health in Croatia, there are currently limited measurement options available for early childhood settings. Thus, the SSIS SEL Brief Scales (SSIS SELb), an efficient measure of social and emotional learning competencies developed in the United States, was translated to Croatian and used by 49 early childhood educators to rate a sample of 685 children (average age 4.3 years) from several counties in Croatia. Regarding measurement invariance, the final model cohered substantially with a CASEL-inspired framework. Overall reliability was also high especially for the SEL Composite ([alpha] = 0.94), with notably lower reliability for subscales. Regarding cross-group concurrent validity, concurrent coefficients were largely similar across age and gender, but there were regional differences in validity. Likewise, validity correlations were in line with expectations, with moderate relationships observed between the SSIS SEL Composite and Child and Youth Resilience Measure scores. In sum, the high level of reliability provided a foundation for applied and research usage of the Croatian SSIS SELb, although further validation research will continue to be necessary before widescale implementation. Limitations to the study are discussed and also point to needed additional research before utilizing the Croatian translated SSIS SELb for applied decisions with young children.

Social-emotional skills are crucial for preschool children's mental health and later school success. Most school-based SEL programs originate in the United States, reflecting a robust interest in SEL curricula from preschool through secondary school. While EU Member States are increasingly integrating social and emotional skills programs into school curricula, there is a lack of uniform terminologies, frameworks, and assessment criteria, necessitating the introduction of standardized practices. This study aims to offer an overview of US and European preschool SEL programs, utilizing content analysis to showcase the diversity of these programs. The analysis focuses on programs from the "EU-Self Programs for Social and Emotional Skills Development for Early and Preschool Children Applied in European Countries" by Koltcheva et al. (2022), including impact evaluations of nine programs in total. The study analysed the programs in relation to goals and outcomes, and findings reveal that there are no remarkable differences between US and European preschool SEL programs, although certain trends highlight distinctions among programs of different origins. The study will be useful for practitioners who are interested in introducing a preschool SEL program in their institution.

This study, aiming to reveal preschool children's mental models of their environment, was carried out with the participation of 225 children aged 36-72 months attending 8 different preschool education institutions. It is based on qualitative research designed around a case study. The Word Association Test and Drawing were used as the data collection tools. In the study, it was observed that 36-48-month-old children mostly focused on the visuals they saw in the park (garden) and traffic in their environmental drawings, and in addition to these visuals, 49-60-month-old children included the forest in their environmental drawings, and 61-72-month-old children included home and school in their environmental drawings. The most prominent environments/elements observed with both data collection tools were the house, traffic, park, and sky for the 3648-month-old children; house, traffic, park, sky, and rural-village for the 49-60-month-old children; and house, traffic, park, sky, rural-village, forest and nearby settlement (market, store, etc.) for the 61-72-month-old children. The common elements that children associate with the environment in their mental models are the concepts of house, traffic, park, and sky.

The complexity of gear concepts, often misunderstood by young children, highlights the need for educational frameworks beyond simple play. To examine the effects of using the prediction, observation, and explanation (POE) model in building block activities, a true experimental design was implemented. A total of 49 preschoolers were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which engaged with building blocks embedded with the POE model, or a control group, which followed a building instruction guide. Data were gathered through pretests, posttests, and two-week delayed tests administered to all participants. The theoretical framework for this study was based on the POE model, emphasizing the importance of prediction, observation, and explanation in the learning process. The results revealed that the POE model had positive impacts on fostering young children's acquisition of gear concepts. Specifically, gear speed and gear direction were identified as the most challenging concepts for preschoolers to grasp. The results highlight the critical role of children's reflection in learning these concepts. The participants' common naive conceptions about gear function, gear speed, and gear direction were identified. The implications of these results highlight the importance of incorporating reflective practices in early childhood education to enhance concept acquisition and address misconceptions.

Nowadays, artificial intelligence, which is used in different fields with the increase in the number of works and transactions carried out in digital environment, is also used in the field of education. The main purpose of this study is to examine the views about artificial intelligence of preschool children, their mothers and teachers. The research was planned with phenomenology research design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group of the research was formed by selecting a total of 30 people in the convenience sampling method, including 5 preschool teachers teaching in public and private independent kindergartens, 1 student from each teacher's 5year-old class and his/her mother. The data were collected through interviews and the interview questions were prepared by the researchers as open-ended questions. According to the results of the research, it was concluded that although the teachers defined artificial intelligence on the correct scientific basis, they did not have sufficient knowledge, did not use it in educational environments to increase the productivity of children and were worried. Considering the answers given by mothers and children to the questions about artificial intelligence, it can be interpreted that artificial intelligence is not defined correctly and there is a lack of knowledge, mothers have concerns that artificial intelligence may be harmful for their children, and children see artificial intelligence as a living being that they can talk to. [Paper presented at the International Preschool Education Congress (8th).]

The aim of this study is to determine the number sense skills of preschool (Kindergarten) children. In the study, survey design, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. The study group consists of a total of 114 children attending all the kindergartens (5 kindergartens) in the city center of Tunceli in the 2020-2021 school year. The data collection tool used in the study is the "Preschool Number Sense Test" developed by the researchers. In the analysis of the data, the correct answers obtained by using number sense skills, the correct answers obtained by using rule and operation-based methods, the false answers obtained by using number sense skills, the false answers obtained by using rule-operation-based methods and the questions left unanswered were considered. As a result of the analysis made, it was determined that preschool students used rule- and operation-based methods more in problem-solving when dealing with questions, and it was seen that they used number-sense-based methods less frequently.

Emotion vocabulary development is a skill that can be targeted in preschools using shared book reading. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a shared book reading intervention on the development of preschool children's emotional vocabulary. Five typically developing 4-year-old children participated in the study. A single-case research design (SCRD) was employed; specifically, a multiple probe across behaviors. The primary dependent variable was the children's ability to receptively identify emotion vocabulary depicted in Google images as well as provide correct responses to inference questions targeting emotion vocabulary. Results indicate that while all five children increased their ability to receptively identify emotion vocabulary and provide correct responses to questions targeting emotional vocabulary during instructional sessions, probe results were variable for both measures. Implications for research and practice are provided.

This study aims to examine parents' views on parental involvement in preschool English language teaching. Today, as parents realize their roles, they have started to play a more active role in their children's educational process. In this period when children need their parents' support the most, parents need to turn this situation into an opportunity and contribute to their children's foreign language acquisition process. For this reason, this study examined the views of parents on their participation in this process in the preschool period, which is considered to be very important in terms of foreign language acquisition. It is predicted that this study will shed light on parents' thoughts about their participation in the preschool foreign language education process and will benefit the studies to be carried out to make English language teaching more effective in the preschool period. In this study, the case study design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used to obtain parents' views on their involvement in preschool English language teaching. A total of 15 parents, consisting of eight fathers and seven mothers, whose children received preschool English education in different schools in Afyonkarahisar province in Turkey, voluntarily participated in the study. In this study, the parents' opinions about their involvement in English language teaching were obtained through semi-structured interview forms. As a result of the study, it was found that although almost all the parents adopted the view that parental involvement was necessary when the situation of supporting their children's English learning at home was examined, it was found that they could not support their children in their English learning process due to limited time, insufficient English level, the view that school alone is sufficient and similar reasons. It is concluded that parents who thought that their English level was insufficient for their children's participation in the English language learning process, remained passive in this process and were not informed about how they could participate in the foreign language teaching process of their children.

This study aims to conduct the Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the Theory of Mind Inventory-2 (TOMI-2) developed by Hutchins and Prelock (2016) for 3-5-year-old children. The study group consists of 310 mothers with children in the 3-5 age group in Konya city center. Personal Information Form and Theory of Mind Inventory-2 (TOMI-2) were used as data collection tools in the study. After the TOMI-2 was translated into Turkish, the normality assumption was checked with the "Shapiro-Wilk" test. The relationship between two continuous variables was evaluated with the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Content Validity, Criterion Validity, and Reliability analyses were also used in the study. The findings of the analyses show that the Turkish version of the TOMI-2 is a valid and reliable measurement tool for children aged 3-5, with 60 items in the original form.

Purpose: To align with the artificial intelligence and robotics (AIR) research and policy agenda, this paper puts forth an adapted five big ideas framework specifically tailored to teaching young children about artificial intelligence (AI) via robotics. Design/Approach/Methods: Grounded in early childhood education research, the proposed framework emphasizes the use of robotics and play-based learning to make AI accessible and encourage engagement among young children who have not started formal schooling. Findings: We comparatively analyze the commonalities and differences in AI big ideas between the original K-12 framework and the redeveloped early childhood education framework. To pique children's interest, key concepts are presented through interactions with robotics and robot role-play. This paper also provides recommendations for age-appropriate topics, storytelling, and play-based teaching methods. Originality/Value: This framework aims to equip researchers and educators with strategies for successfully integrating introductory AI education into early childhood classrooms. Teaching AI in a developmentally responsive manner can help nurture young children's curiosity toward and understanding of an increasingly AI-driven world.

This research aimed to examine the effect of the "Matific" platform on preschool students' academic performance in Mathematics in Al Dhafra Region, United Arab Emirates. It also examined the difference between boys' and girls' academic performance after using the "Matific" platform during mathematics learning. An experimental research design with pre- and posttest was conducted over a four-week period. A convenient sampling technique was used to select twenty preschool students in an intact group (11 girls and 9 boys). Data was collected through the Achievement Test instrument using pretests and posttests. Descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests were used to evaluate differences in pretest and posttest scores among individuals and groups, with further analysis conducted to examine differences between boys' and girls' performance. Findings suggest that there is significant effect of using the "Matific" platform on students' academic performance in Mathematics. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the performance of boys and girls in utilizing "Matific."

The purpose of this study is to investigate the activities that children engage in with technology. In this direction, preschool children's ownership of technological devices, which devices they own and what they do with these devices were examined. This study was designed as qualitative research. The study group consisted of 34 preschool children studying during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The results of the study revealed that most of the children have a device at home and these devices are mostly tablets, and by smartphones. It was determined that almost all the children played digital games and the games varied. It was seen that all the children participating in the study watched cartoons, and most children watched YouTube. It was concluded that many of the children participating in the study did not watch TikTok. A thorough examination of the content they watched revealed the coexistence of appropriate and inappropriate materials. Therefore, informing parents about parental lock and similar applications that can be installed on devices, and preparing guides, books, seminars, etc. on the use of technology for parents were suggested.

The preschool years, spanning from birth to age six, are crucial periods for acquiring social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. An effective way to address social-emotional learning deficits is to implement evidence-based intervention programs. The purpose of this article is to review specific evidencebased social-emotional learning intervention programs for preschool children, drawing from resources such as books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference proceedings. In this context, five social-emotional learning intervention programs, including First Step to Success, I Can Problem Solve, Incredible Years, PATHS, and Strong Start Pre-K, documented in the social-emotional learning literature, were reviewed. Each program was evaluated based on its target group, duration, focus, delivery method, and experimental effects. The reviews found that play-based activities, puppets and stories, role-playing, and family involvement were common components of these programs. The majority of programs focused on problem-solving skills, and all had positive effects on preschoolers' social-emotional learning skills. Based on the reviews, it was underlined that social-emotional learning intervention programs are effective when their content, process, and delivery methods are developmentally appropriate for the target group. Accordingly, it was seen that the widespread implementation of evidence-based social-emotional learning intervention programs is essential to improve the basic social-emotional learning skills of preschool children and to address their potential deficits. Continuous evaluation and refinement of social-emotional learning intervention programs, guided by feedback from educators, parents, and researchers, was also highlighted as crucial to increase their impact. By prioritizing the implementation of evidence-based social-emotional learning intervention programs with appropriate components and delivery methods, the stakeholders of education can facilitate the holistic development of preschool children and lay a strong foundation for their future social-emotional well-being.

As textiles continue to feature heavily in discussions of sustainability, and young students continue to be positioned as saviors of the planet, this paper joins the call for assemblage thinking in early years research that decenters humans and foregrounds relationships. What follows is a subset of a larger study, where one preschool classroom engaged with textile themed provocations, and I had the honor of listening deeply to the children. This work borrows from sociomaterialism and artistic listening to consider what themes emerged when I considered child/textile as entangled in meaning making in one senior preschool classroom. I highlight ways in which the themes of "connect," "know," and "perceive" all surface in one richly detailed narrative of children making meaning with textiles. Finally, I offer a way in which research can support this kind of assemblage thinking in the classroom, by looking to relationships between themes and how we might represent those relationships in more nuanced, illustrative ways.

Early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education plays a pivotal role in shaping children's science and visual literacy skills. However, in South Africa, there are notable challenges such as delayed initiation of science education and inadequate emphasis on visual literacy. This study aims to investigate the influence of early STEM education on science and visual literacy in South African educational contexts. Drawing upon the post-positivist paradigm and Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning, this research employed a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, integrating autoethnography to engage with lived experiences during my master's and doctoral studies. The findings suggest that children exposed to STEM education demonstrate higher levels of science and visual literacy. These findings have implications for curriculum design and educational practice, urging stakeholders to integrate STEM principles early in children's educational journey and to prioritize visual literacy to enhance communication and comprehension of scientific concepts. Recommendations are provided for educational institutions and policymakers to facilitate the implementation of effective strategies addressing these challenges and fostering a generation of learners equipped with essential skills for success in the modern world.

Metacognition is the process of thinking about one's own thinking, learning, and problem-solving strategies. It involves being aware of one's own cognitive processes and knowing how to regulate and monitor them. Sustainability, instead, refers to the ability to maintain or preserve resources and ecosystems for future generations. Here, we draw from the classical metacognitive approach and propose that metacognition plays an important role in sustainability. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses) Statement was used to perform and recode this review. Given that metacognitive abilities develop early during childhood, metacognition can be viewed as a useful approach to teach pro-environmental behavior from early childhood. Although the interaction between metacognition and sustainability in preschoolers appears to be insufficiently explored, the final aim of this review is to offer a new education-based perspective about metacognition that can be implemented in early childhood to foster pro-environmental actions in the longterm.

This case study aims to report on the psychological assessment and intervention for a 4-year-old preschooler with selective mutism. A comprehensive assessment that involves parents and teacher interview, classroom observation, Seguin Form Board Test (SFBT), Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales Third Edition (Vineland-3), Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3), Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition Standard Version Rating Booklet (CARS 2-ST), and School Speech Questionnaire were conducted. The psychological assessment revealed that the child fulfils the criteria for selective mutism. Play-based intervention sessions were then conducted, which involved gradual exposure to the child's teacher and peers and facilitation of verbalization related to child's interests and classroom routines. The child demonstrated improvement in her frequency of verbalizing in the classroom following the intervention, as supported by the improved score in the School Speech Questionnaire (SSQ). This case study illustrates the advantages of a collaborative approach that engages parents, teachers, and peers in the management of selective mutism during early childhood.

The present study examined the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between preschool children's anxiety and life skills. Children's anxiety, self-regulation, and life skills were assessed using the "Children's Anxiety Scale-Mothers' Form," "The Self-Regulation Skills Scale for Children aged 4 to 6 (Mothers' Form)," "The Early Childhood Life Skills Scale," and the data obtained from 303 participants who participated in the survey were tested through PLS to SEM. Although preschool children's anxiety is not directly related to life skills, self-regulation fully mediates the relationship between anxiety and life skills. The results provided preliminary evidence for the mechanism by which children's anxiety affects self-regulation and life skills. These findings suggest that the relationship between anxiety and life skills varies according to children's self-regulatory abilities. The findings have practical implications for supporting the development of self-regulation in preschool children.

Research on young English language learners has been gaining popularity in recent years, but to this day remains underdeveloped. The present study aimed to add to this body of research by exploring the effects of visual arts activities implemented via comprehension and compared to more commonly used flashcard activities implemented via comprehension-based instruction on young English language learners' vocabulary acquisition and retention. The study specifically focused on very young learners who do not have access to the English language outside of the classroom. This study employed a withinsubjects counterbalanced design with young English language learners (N = 47) with a mean age of three years and eight months. The results provided evidence that both instruction types are highly effective in the productive and receptive learning of vocabulary among young English language learners. Furthermore, the positive effects of visual arts activities implemented via comprehension-based instruction on vocabulary retention were found to be significantly higher than those of the production-based instruction.

Background: Early Childhood Education Institutions (ECEIs) require a model for the cultivation of religious values from an early age. Religion encompasses fundamental values that strongly instil belief in the existence of God and promote harmonious relationships among individuals. This study examines the role of ECEIs in fostering religious values in early childhood. Aim: This study aims to explore the cultivation of religious values in early childhood, which includes philosophy and models of the cultivation of religious values. Setting: This research was conducted in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Methods: Researchers chose five early childhood educational institutions with 30 participants, teachers, and managers of early childhood educational institutions. The analytical approach used is the "Discovering Cultural Themes" model. Results: The spirit of 'Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo, Ing Madya Mangun Karso, and Tut Wuri Handayani' serves as the philosophy guiding teachers to act as role models, inspire enthusiasm, and recognise the potential of young children. This philosophy is broken down into four main themes: 'I Love the Earth', 'I Love Indonesia', 'Playing and Cooperating/We Are All Brothers', and 'My Imagination and Creativity'. The cultivation model includes introduction, habituation, and exemplary actions by parents and teachers. Conclusion: Philosophical values are cultivated through recognition, habituation, and example. The acculturation model starts from the identification of religious and cultural values followed by institutionalisation and encouragement by teachers and parents. Contribution: The role of early childhood educational institutions in the acculturation of religious values is a vital characteristic of schools managed by the government and foundations in Indonesia.

Background: Learning pre-reading skills through formal education in early childhood is vital for a child's future personal and professional development. In this regard, integrating appropriate teaching methods and didactic strategies with the support of information and communication technologies (ICT) can facilitate this phase in the development of reading skills. Aim: To conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to investigate and analyse the scientific and academic production of methods, didactic strategies, and educational experiences with ICT applied to pre-reading development in children aged 3 years to 5 years. Method: This study was carried out through an SLR, involving eight steps that enabled the systematic and structured selection, evaluation, and analysis of qualitative research located in Scopus and Google Scholar, using quality criteria systematically and structurally. Results: The selected and analysed studies correspond to the period 2017-2022, responding to the research questions raised in this work. Notable methods include Global, Doman, Geempa, Montessori, and synthetic, among others. The integration of interactive stories, songs, images, role-playing, dramatisations, visual cards, and other strategies was highlighted to enhance pre-reading learning. Research demonstrates their importance in promoting pre-reading activities through the use of digital tablets, multimedia resources, e-books, and applications. Conclusion: The utilisation of suitable didactic methods and strategies, coupled with the implementation of educational practices involving ICT, enhances the pre-reading process in preschool children. Contribution: An amalgamation of methods, didactic strategies, and technological resources, transferrable to diverse contexts, facilitates the development of pre-reading skills in early childhood.

Individuals with Asperger Syndrome (AS) often face difficulties in social communication and language skills, encompassing comprehension and production in both their first and second languages. English as a second language has been one of the most common communication tools and a school subject for decades in Asia; therefore, mastering English becomes crucial including individuals with AS. Prior studies on AS focused on first language development in adolescence. However, few explored second language learning especially the comprehension and oral production in preschoolers in a storytelling class. This study aimed to investigate the comprehension and oral production of a Taiwanese learner with AS in a storytelling setting. Data collection included a questionnaire, close-ended and open-ended questions related to storybooks, classroom observations, self-reports from the participant's mother, and clinical consultation documents. The study found that the participant with AS exhibited a higher level of interest in learning a second language, English, in storytelling classes. Moreover, he could comprehend the stories and answer related questions with a moderate to high degree of accuracy. These findings provide valuable insights for educators to guide and teach the second language within storytelling contexts to young learners with AS to not only motivate them but also support the young learners' development of comprehension and oral production in a second language.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a significant relationship between mothers' perceived gender role and maternal gatekeeping behaviors. Method: In this study, in which mothers' perceived gender role and maternal gatekeeping behaviors were examined according to some variables, the relational survey model, which obtains information through comparison from quantitative research methods, was used. The study group of the research consists of 606 mothers with preschool children who were selected by simple random sampling method from many cities in Turkey. "Personal Information Form", "Bem Gender Role Inventory" and "Maternal Gatekeeping Scale" were used to collect the data. Findings: There is a significant positive correlation between the participants' femininity scores and Two-Fold Responsible Maternity (TFM), Over-Committed Maternity (OCM) and Traditional Maternity (TM) scores at a moderate level, and a significant positive correlation with the scores belonging to all of Maternity Gatekeeping at a low level. Masculinity scores have a significant negative correlation with OCM and TM scores at a moderate level, and a significant negative correlation with the scores belonging to the entire TFM and Maternal Gatekeeping Scale (MG) a low level. As a result of the tests conducted in the sub-dimensions of the study, while there was a difference between the TFM, OCM, TM and MG scores of the mothers according to their educational status, age, place of residence and socioeconomic level; there was no difference between the Modern Maternity (MM) and Indirect Maternity (IM) scores according to their educational status, age, place of residence and socioeconomic level. While there was a statistically significant difference between child gender and OCM scores, there was no difference between the scores obtained from MM, TFM , TM, and Indirect Maternity (IM) sub-dimensions. Conclusion: As a result of the analyses, a significant positive relationship was found between the gender roles of the study group and maternal gatekeeping behaviors. There were positive and negative significant relationships between the gender roles of the study group and maternity gatekeeping behaviors in sub-dimensions. According to these results, as the femininity scores of mothers with preschool children increased, their total maternal gatekeeping scores increased, and as their masculinity scores increased, their total maternal gatekeeping scores decreased.

This three-year qualitative research study examined the knowledge and experiences of 20 early years educators while introducing Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies on Land-Based Learning in10 urban childcare centers. Educators were introduced to Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies through workshops with Indigenous speakers and Indigenous-authored picture books. These perspectives included the importance of supporting children to develop responsive and caring relationships to the Land for their own wellbeing and for the wellbeing of all their fellow creatures. Supported by their educators, the children increased their sense of belonging in the world, expressed gratitude for their fellow creatures, and recognized and enacted their responsibility to care for nature.

Engineering education aims to equip children with the skills to solve and apply complex problems. Problem-solving processes in engineering require high-level thinking and mind habits. Habit is a term used to describe various aspects of intelligence. Engineering habits of mind are the values, attitudes, and thinking skills associated with engineering. This research aimed to develop a scale to assess the engineering habits of mind of children ages 5-8. The study involved 417 children in two provinces in the southwest and northwest of Türkiye. We performed Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for the scale's construct validity. The scale consisted of 35 items and six factors and explained 59.2% of the total variance. We called the factors "system thinking," "creativity," "optimism," "collaboration," "communication," and "attention to ethical considerations." According to the CFA result, the construct we obtain is reasonable (X[superscript 2]/sd= 1.97, RMSEA= 0.068, CFI= 0.93, TLI= 0.91, SRMR= 0.062). The item total correlations range from 0.43 to 0.66. We determined the Cronbach Alpha coefficient of the scale to be 0.94 and the test re-test reliability to be 0.87. According to the results, it can be said that the scale obtained can be used validly and reliably to determine the engineering habits of mind children according to teacher reports. The study contributes to the ever-increasing engineering habits of mind literature.

Executive function skills are crucial for children in the 21st century, serving as indicators of their readiness for learning. Children with well-developed executive function skills can effectively accomplish various tasks, solve problems using diverse strategies, and collaborate with others happily. This research aims to: 1. Identify the necessity for fostering executive function skills among early childhood students in Nonthaburi Province. 2. Analyze the causes underlying the necessity to promote executive function skills in early childhood students. 3. Propose strategies to enhance executive function skills in early childhood students. The research consists of two phases. Phase 1 involves identifying the necessity for developing executive function skills among early childhood students, with a sample group comprising 12 volunteer kindergarten teachers randomly selected from 12 classrooms and 328 early childhood students aged 5 to 5 years 11 months (162 boys and 166 girls). The research instrument used is the MU.EF-101 assessment. Data analysis involves calculating the mean and standard deviation of T-scores for working memory, inhibitory control, and shift/cognitive flexibility. Phase 2 analyzes the causes of necessity and proposes strategies to promote executive function skills in early childhood students. The data sources for this phase are 12 teachers, and the research instruments include fishbone diagram recording forms and group discussion recording forms. Findings suggest that parental involvement is crucial in training children to perform tasks independently and in teaching children patience. Additionally, teachers should analyze children's behaviors to plan appropriate learning activities based on their context. Teachers must encourage children to think and make decisions independently, encourage when mistakes occur, and ensure the availability of suitable tools and toys that promote the development of executive function skills in early childhood students, which teachers or parents can conveniently utilize.

Financial literacy, viewed not only as a fundamental skill but also as an investment, proves valuable for individuals, aiding them in making sound financial decisions and savings. In the current societal landscape, where financial responsibilities are important, instilling financial education early on through suitable programs becomes pivotal, particularly for the younger generation. This study aims to examine parental viewpoints regarding their children's money literacy and management, aiming to enhance social-emotional skills related to saving and giving within the preschool classroom. The study spanned two months and encompassed 101 children and their families. The project was introduced to parents, and 36 volunteer parents were selected to participate. An educational program focusing on money management and donations was executed within the classroom. Official permission from the preschool municipality administration office was obtained, and all participants provided written consent for their involvement. According to the parents, their children acquired money management skills and relished the process of collecting and donating savings to other children in need. In interviews, participating parents expressed feeling active and enthusiastic about their involvement in the school program, highlighting the productive interaction between them and the teachers.

In recent years, there has been a growing concern in science education on the enhancement of preschoolers' knowledge and motivation for concepts by implementing efficient teaching methods. This study explored the development and effectiveness of the E-sky Module in increasing the development of preschoolers in Project-based Learning (PBL) activities conducted both within and outside of preschool. This study employed the Design and Development Research (DDR) approach, incorporating many research methods. During the qualitative interviews conducted in the needs analysis phase, three different themes related to the difficulties encountered by teachers when conducting early science projects were meticulously recorded and analysed. Based on a quantitative analysis completed by three experts in the field, this E-sky Module has been determined to have a substantial level of validity and a satisfactory level of reliability. This is evidenced by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of (p < 0.82) observed. Moreover, throughout the evaluation phase, four distinct themes were effectively reported, suggesting that this module significantly contributed to the comprehensive development of preschoolers. Hence, future studies should explore the potential of enhancing knowledge acquisition through promoting motivation and the emergence of conducive learning environments in the context of PBL.

During the last decades, global interest in learning English as a foreign language has increased, encouraging countries to include it in school education. This trend was followed by the Chilean Ministry of Education, which suggests teaching English based on a communicative approach starting in early childhood education. To foster students' learning, it is imperative to acknowledge that children learn differently than older learners and that English as a foreign language teachers should be able to identify their needs and implement age-appropriate strategies. This article reports the action research findings that explore the contribution of board games, memory, and bingo on pre-kindergarten students' oral expression when participating in English lessons. A group of 19 children aged four from a private school in Concepción, Chile, took part in this study by playing online and board bingo, and memory games. Data were gathered by qualitative methods, such as an observation checklist, a semi-structured interview applied to thein co-teacher, and group interviews carried out with students at the end of the intervention. The group and semi-structured interview data were analyzed through the thematic data analysis technique, along with frequency data analysis used to process the observational checklists. The results show that students increased their English oral production when games were implemented in their lessons.

This paper reports the results of a qualitative action research study conducted with children from a private Colombian institution. This study aimed to analyze the learners' cognitive and knowledge outcomes measured according to the revised Bloom's taxonomy once content and language integrated learning was implemented. Data were gathered through an interview with the learners' parents, observation, and video recordings. Results give evidence that learners develop different processes simultaneously, classified by the mentioned taxonomy. This taxonomy is a helpful approach for English learners since it allows them to perform cognitive and knowledge processes without following rigid systematic learning. As a conclusion, this implementation with children allowed participants to develop cognitive processes with greater emphasis in levels 3 and 4 (apply and analyze), whereas level 2 (understand) was developed as part of the process. Meanwhile, the factual and conceptual knowledge dimensions were strengthened. Finally, procedural, and metacognitive knowledge is developed through the implementation itself.

Engaging students in their learning depends on the teachers' pedagogical practices. The first author is a STEAM scholar and preschool educator who realized engagement is necessary for meaningful learning. For this, teachers and students must have exposure to innovative and arts-integrated pedagogy (e.g., storytelling). However, the teachers in the first author's school practiced a conventional teaching approach, such as lecture and monotonous activity-based instruction, that compelled a disengaged learning culture. Similarly, storytelling was limited to reading aloud from storybooks. Thus, this paper investigated integrating storytelling pedagogy to engage preschoolers in learning by centralizing on the research question: How do teachers integrate storytelling pedagogy to enhance meaningful learning? This study used an action research method to intervene in the current pedagogical practice with storytelling as an innovative pedagogy. The teachers and students of Upper Kindergarten were involved in practicing storytelling approaches to conceptualize content knowledge and learn meaningfully. The findings of this study revealed that storytelling as an innovative pedagogy enhances the students' engagementin theirlearning process. Similarly, it also helps to enrich students' imaginative andcreative skills, which are crucial soft skills in the 21st century. Moreover, storytelling enhances a deeper understanding of the content knowledge if the stories are developed based on the content knowledge of the curriculum. Therefore, storytelling is an innovative and arts-integrated pedagogy to foster preschoolers' knowledge and skills through engagement and motivation. This research is applicable for educators and schoolteachers to improve and innovate their teaching-learning practices for students' meaningful learning experiences.

This study compared the outcome of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention when supervision was given over videoconference for half of the meetings. This started after 3 months of intervention. The participating children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and were randomly placed in either the videoconference group or in the onsite group. The dependent variables were autism severity, preferences for socially mediated stimuli and problematic behaviors. The independent variable was supervision onsite or by videoconference. The results showed no significant differences between the groups on any of the outcome measures. A limitation of this study was the small group sizes, which limits generalization of the results to other children and settings. Furthermore, the onsite group received some supervision sessions via videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, our tentative conclusion is that supervision via videoconference has the potential to replace onsite supervision at least partially, but that larger scale research in a variety of settings is needed.

The study aimed to investigate preschool children's learning needs related to science and their teachers' science activity practices. A basic qualitative research design was applied. Interviews were conducted with 15 preschool teachers and 48 children living in Ankara and subjected to content analysis. It was found that teachers mostly carried out activities and science experiments to support sense development and observation skills, used science and sensory centres and mostly preferred natural objects and living things. However, it was found that about half of the teachers considered themselves inadequate in science activities. Teachers stated that children need science activities that they can experience on their own, that take place outdoors and that are appropriate for their age, development and interests. They also stated that children need learning experiences that will improve their sensory development, observation and questioning skills. It was found that children mostly wanted to get to know scientists, learn how tools and equipment work, and conduct experiments. As a result of the research, it was revealed that teachers were aware of the importance of developing children's skills and reflected this in practice, but they could not identify the topics that children were interested in very well.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of fathers' participation in the Father Support Education Programme on their perception of their role as fathers and the development of play skills in their children. The study sample comprised 40 fathers whose children, aged 5 and 6, were enrolled in independent pre-schools located in the city centre of Bartin. The experimental design of pre-test and post-test control group was adopted to facilitate the study. All technical terms were defined when first used. The study comprised 20 fathers, who were divided into control and study groups. Fathers in the study group received the Father Support Education Program over a period of 10 weeks, while no education program was provided to the control group. Information was collected using the "Personal Information Form," "Father Role Perception Scale (FRPS)," and "Game Skills Assessment Scale (PSAS)." The research's quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) programme for Windows 22.0. To compare continuous data between two independent groups, the t-test was employed. The analysis established that following the educational programme, fathers in the study group exhibited a significant difference between their pre-test and post-test mean scores for their roles in their children's play skills. It was found that the Father Support Education Programme had a positive impact on fathers' roles and the development of children's play skills.

The quality of early childhood experiences is crucial to a child's development and educational success. Yet few early childhood education and care services in the world today offer a consistently high level of educational quality. In particular, educational quality depends on the context's characteristics. The aim of this study was therefore to measure and compare the educational quality experienced in two distinct educational contexts, located in Quebec: early childhood centres and 4-year-old preschools. Results of the study indicate that there are very few significant differences between these two educational contexts in terms of interaction quality and pedagogical orientations quality, while variables related to structural quality vary greatly. Correlational and regression analyses carried out separately on each educational context show that few variables are predictive of interaction quality levels, suggesting that other variables, notably related to pedagogical orientations quality, would better explain variations in adult-child interactions predictive of child development. These results have implications for initial training curriculum aimed towards adults working in early childcare and for future directions in research on educational quality, including rethinking the importance of pedagogical orientations and structures in the ecosystemic model of quality.