This study aimed to investigate the influence of Outdoor Education (OE) on different areas of development in 1-3-year-old children attending Italian nursery schools. The sample was composed of 160 children (1-3-year-old) divided into a first group (Traditional), with 76 children attending nursery schools with traditional educational activities;…

In this article the preschool education in China and the United States are compared, based on the factors that influence the preschool education in each country as well as the characteristics of the preschool education in each culture. The preschool education in both countries has its strengths and weaknesses, which result from their respective…

This study examined the effectiveness of embedding children's social goals into routine activities within inclusive preschool classroom settings. An AB (i.e. baseline and intervention) single-subject design was used across three male participants with identified disabilities. Three student-teachers, enrolled in a master's program at a university,…

Examined impact of cooperative and competitive games on 4-year-olds' behavior over 6 weeks. Found that more positive behaviors were observed during cooperative games than competitive games, and more negative behaviors were observed during competitive games, but only during the first week of competitive games. Found that teachers' warmth and…

Examined social behaviors of Head Start children from high- or low-quality classrooms in urban or rural settings. Found that maternal depression related to fewer parent-reported positive social behaviors and more problem behaviors. Parent-reported home violence related to fewer teacher-reported disruptive behaviors. Higher quality classrooms had…

Examined aspects of early childhood environment related to developing mathematical concepts in three studies. Found that family day care providers rated math skills as less important than others, but believed skills were acquired the same way. Parents and providers reported similar frequencies for engaging children in math activities. Activity…

Assessed the differential effects of academic versus socioemotional focuses in kindergartens. Subjects were 307 predominately African-American children in 86 inner-city classrooms. Found a detrimental impact of an overly academic focus in kindergarten on young boys' development and school achievement. Although girls were developmentally more ready…

Compared regular and special early childhood education in the United States and Japan through videotaped observation and interviews. Found differences in the standardization of programs offered, adequacy of equipment and materials, class size and schedule, background of teachers, discipline, development of special needs programs, and emphasis on…