Overcoming challenges to quality early education in developing nations, TEACH Rwanda, one high-performing education system, offers a model of childhood learning through sensitive teacher dispositions, child-centred play, and culturally relevant materials. This manuscript provides a unique window into the practices of a quality early childhood…

A broad range of initiatives including early intervention programmes have been implemented in Australia to assist disadvantaged and at-risk Indigenous parents and children. This qualitative exemplar case study details the perspectives of caregivers and service providers of one such early learning intervention programme situated within the remote…

Concern has been raised recently in relation to excessive use of digital technology and the detrimental effect this has on familial relationships, well-being and development, andon people's connection with nature. This article provides a timely response to this concern by presenting the findings of a qualitative evaluation of a supported nature…

This introduction presents a general overview of the regulations, policies, programmes and actions which currently exist in Spain within the field of positive parenting. The articles featured in this special issue showcase initiatives aimed at fostering child development through the promotion of parenting competences and family support. They are…

Teacher shortages are a pervasive global issue that is expected to continue, especially in low-performing, high-needs schools [O'Connor, E. A., Malow, M. S., & Bisland, B. M. (2011). Mentorship and instruction received during training: Views of alternatively certified teachers. "Educational Review," 63(2), 219-232]. In an effort to…

Current models of pediatric care include parental support as part of health promotion in the early years. This study introduces the modality of e-health by describing the universal 'Gaining Health and Wellbeing from Birth to Three' programme, reporting on the level of programme satisfaction among 249 parents and 350 professionals. The average…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in children's social skills after their participation in a physical education programme named ESPEC ("Early Steps" Physical Education Curriculum). The evaluators of the children's social skills were the trained educators who implemented the curriculum as well as parents of the…

This review article examines the experience, in general but especially, of hospitalised children. The technical, environmental and social aspects of a hospital are described. Being hospitalised, especially for a child, could be a terrifying and painful experience. This experience has been described and closely examined with the aim of helping…

The backlog in terms of readiness for formal learning structures of children in low-income countries necessitates intervention programmes to alleviate the disadvantage. In these low-income countries, it is unlikely that the state will provide facilities or programmes for preschool children, as resources are just not available. Therefore, as an…

The Refuge is an after-school care programme in the southeastern USA that caters to the academic and psychological needs of impoverished African-American children. This study evaluated the Refuge through interviews with staff, small group discussions with children and persistent observation. By evaluating the after-school care services they…

Examines the changing needs for early childhood education, arguing that the ideal curriculum should have a developmentally appropriate, hands-on, multisensory approach to learning and should include play. Explores several innovative multigenerational approaches to the complex problems of quality and affordability in early childhood programs. (HTH)

Indicates types of decisions required for establishing a conceptual model for preschool programing and points out functions of articulated conceptual systems in program analysis. Issues concerning development are discussed, including assimilation/accommodation, the child and the environment, and change in behavior patterns. General principles,…

Describes the development, practices, and objectives of a project which has, over three years, focused on the support bilingual children may receive from their nursery as they learn English. (MP)

Provides background information on the existing educational practices in early childhood education in Hong Kong, highlights issues that require attention in order to improve quality, and outlines reforms introduced by the Hong Kong Education Commission. Discusses the implications of these reforms and the associated challenges in the areas of…

The Family Development Research Program (FDRP) was begun as an omnibus effort to serve low-income, low-education families by providing education, nutrition, health, safety, and human service resources for the 108 families initially recruited. Very deprived families were recruited early in the last trimester of pregnancy. All the families had an…