With over two decades of research showing a close association between working memory (WM) and maths performance, WM training has been suggested as one way to supplement conventional remedial instructions. Although initial findings were promising, recent reviews have found that training typically resulted in WM improvement but no transfer to maths…

There is growing global recognition of the contribution that leadership development can make to improving quality and outcomes in the Early Years (EY) education sector. UK governments are responding to such evidence through the creation of new national qualifications for EY professionals across the sector and the expansion of publicly funded…

Early childhood educators (ECEs) face several workplace challenges, including young children's difficult behavior and mental health needs, workplace stress, low systemic support, and high levels of burnout. Both education and perceived confidence are often cited as important buffering factors, yet neither is well studied in the existing…

This study presents data on the effectiveness of participatory training, called 'Improvement Groups', voluntarily adopted in four nurseries in Northern Italy to prevent episodes of violence by staff toward children. The interventions provided for the representation of problematic cases, experienced by participants, relating to factors of work…

Our study on 328 five- to six-year-old kindergarteners (mainly White European living in France, 152 girls) shows that children who do not count on their fingers and undergo finger counting training exhibit drastic improvement in their addition skills from pre-test to post-test (i.e., accuracy from 37.3% to 77.1%) compared to a passive control…

The proposed study investigated the training and practice of school psychologists who work or have recently worked with the early childhood population (children 0-5 years old). The sample included 179 school psychologists within the United States with experience with young children. Participants completed the Early Childhood School Psychology…

Addressing racial bias in early childhood is crucial for fostering inclusivity and reducing social inequalities. This study examined the effectiveness of individuation training in reducing racial bias among Canadian preschool-aged children and explored how interracial contact might influence changes in children's implicit anti-Black bias. A total…

There is a growing body of research documenting the impact of traumatic stress on child development, which has resulted in a call to action for trauma-informed practices as a priority, yet implementation within schools and training for educators is lacking (American Academy of Physicians,…

State and territory child care and early education (CCEE) leaders typically support a range of professional development (PD) opportunities for CCEE providers. This highlight presents the "Professional Development Matrix for Quality Improvement" created by Douglass, Tout, and Doyle. The matrix provides a framework for organizing and…

Approximately 40% of the U.S. early care and education (ECE) workforce lacks foundational training in research-based, developmentally appropriate practices for working with young children, which can impact the quality of ECE they can provide. To support young children's positive developmental trajectories, it is critical that all teachers have…

Preschool children experience a variety of risk factors that could result in the development of more severe mental and behavioral health issues later in life. Simple, teacher-delivered interventions, such as behavior-specific praise, are effective for altering at-risk preschool children's behavioral trajectory. However, preschool teachers are…

Background and Aims: This study examined the effects of working memory training (WMT) on WM and fluid intelligence. A novel four-pronged model of mediated learning, cognitive functions, task characteristics and metacognition is presented as a conceptual basis for the Modifiability of a Working Memory Program (MWMP). Our basic assumption is that…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of training plus Practice-Based Coaching (PBC), delivered via text message, on teacher use of targeted Pyramid Model (PM) practices. A multiple baseline design across behaviors was replicated across three early childhood teachers. Following training on self-selected target practices, the…

Advances in the field of Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC) are catalysing an important paradigm shift in the understanding of childhood trauma throughout the life course. While there is little dispute regarding the unique role of ECEC practitioners in providing critical support to children who experience trauma, international provisions…

Educators' preparedness to include children with disability in day-care is key to the success of early childhood inclusion. This study examines the relationship between attitudes and self-efficacy as key predictors of preparedness for inclusion. The study was conducted in Switzerland, a country with a young tradition of inclusive early childhood…