This research was conducted to examine the views of preschool teachers regarding out-of-school learning environments for mathematics activities and their usage of these environments. The research was conducted out using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consisted of 42 preschool teachers working in…

In this study, the effects of STEM activities on the problem-solving skills of preschool children were investigated. A two-group (study: n = 18 and control: n = 18) pre-test/post-test/retention test experimental design was conducted to collected data using a researcher developed General Information Form and an established Problem-Solving Skills…

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education has become a global focus to foster learners' Twenty first-century skills and achieve the sustainable development of society. Design challenges present children with a real-world design problem to solve, as design challenges inspire children to think creatively and apply…

Background/purpose: Executive functions are generally considered crucial for an individual's capacity to adapt. This also applies to the domain of professional competencies. However, relatively few scientific studies have specifically examined the role of executive functions in relation to teachers' professional competencies. Didactic competencies…

The empirical data in this study are from a series of two lessons on measurement implemented in seven classes with 119 six-year-old students in Sweden. Both problem solving and problem posing were shown to be important in early mathematics when students in this study worked on one problem-solving task and one problem-posing task on measurement. As…

Reading aloud to young children can positively impact their social and emotional development during preschool. However, further exploration is needed to determine how drama-based read-alouds (DBRAs) could enhance these benefits. In this sense, this study examined the effects of the DBRA intervention on preschoolers' social understanding, social…

Teachers face situations that are difficult to solve, which affect their practices in the classroom. Teachers' ability to face problematic situations been related to educators' adaptive and metacognitive capacity. This study aimed to contrast the recent literature on classroom problems with reports from Chilean teachers regarding what they mean…

Although research has demonstrated that introducing computational thinking (CT) benefits young children, there has been a lack of systematic professional development (PD) opportunities for preschool teachers. The current study investigated the impact of Teaching through Interaction-Plus (TTI-P) on preschool teachers' self-efficacy in teaching CT…

In the study reported on here we aimed to investigate the mediating effect of pre-school teacher candidates' cognitive flexibility between creative thinking tendencies and problem-solving skills. The relational model was used to examine the direct and mediation relationship between the variables. The sample consisted of 516 pre-school teacher…

Child temperament is a predictor of non-verbal ability (i.e., thinking and problem-solving skills that do not fundamentally require verbal language production and comprehension). Given that temperament scores might vary depending on whether the reporter is a parent or a teacher, this study analyzes (a) whether those reports are different and (b)…

There is a growing recognition that using engineering design process as an approach to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) produces good learning outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of an integrated STEM with Design Thinking (iSTEM-DT) module on preschoolers' science process skills. It adopts a single…

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education allows students to engage in interdisciplinary learning that fosters innovation, problem-solving skills and creativity. In November 2023, Education Commission of the States received applications from 10 states to participate in a technical assistance network and professional…

Educators and researchers are becoming interested in cultivating computational thinking (CT). However, in the Hong Kong context, CT-related studies regarding young children are rarely found. The present study aimed to use an unplugged digital arts activity to examine the CT concepts that children performed and document their CT developmental…

This article examines different rationalities for parental involvement in their children's early childhood education and care (ECEC). Starting from Foucault's governmentality and the context of the transforming and diversifying Czech preschool system, it analyzes parents' rationalities for their involvement in ECEC and discusses how they relate to…

STEM education, which means integrated thinking, attracts the attention of early childhood educators and researchers. Engineering education, which naturally serves STEM integration, contributes to children's problem-solving skills with failure analysis and continual improvement habits of mind. Children need adult support in this process due to…