Showing papers in "International Journal of Research in 2003"
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for exploring creative thinking in the early years of school is proposed, which explores creative thinking as characterised in two significant curriculum landmarks applicable to young children: Plowden from the 1960s and the Early Learning Goals from 2000.
Abstract: This paper proposes a framework for exploring creative thinking in the early years of school. It explores creative thinking as characterised in two significant curriculum landmarks applicable to young children: Plowden from the 1960s and the Early Learning Goals from 2000. It proposes 'little c creativity' as a way of conceptu alising creativity, arguing that it represents the start of a 'third wave' of understanding the meaning and potential of creativity in the early years of education. Drawing on empirical observations from a number of nursery and early years classrooms in England, it raises some pedagogical and systemic issues around fostering 'little c creativity' in the early years of education.
97 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the complex nature of the transition to school, and looked specifically at 23 children's experiences of friendship and the way in which this impacted on their early experiences of school Observations of the children and interviews with the children, their families and their teachers, revealed that not only did friends play a vital role in facilitating the children's transition to formal schooling, they also assisted directly in facilitating children's learning.
Abstract: This article presents some of the findings from a study that explores the complex nature of the transition to school, and looks specifically at 23 children's experiences of friendship and the way in which this impacted on their early experiences of school Observations of the children, and interviews with the children, their families and their teachers, revealed that not only did friends play a vital role in facilitating the children's transition to formal schooling, they also assisted directly in facilitating the children's learning Conversely, a lack of friends was related to a more difficult transition, the repercussions of which often extended for some time The article suggests that parents/caregivers and teachers may wish to take a proactive role in providing opportunities for children to make friends during their transition to school
59 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, several aspects of sound can be measured objectively, and such results can be related to known proper sound properties, such as proper pitch, pitch, and pitch variation.
Abstract: Choir acoustics is but one facet of choir-related research, yet it is one of the most tangible. Several aspects of sound can be measured objectively, and such results can be related to known proper ...
48 citations
TL;DR: This article draws on a research project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, looking at early years professionals' knowledge about speech and language development and their confidence and skills in assessing normal and delayed language development, to reveal very limited training in speech andlanguage difficulties as part of initial training and low levels of post-qualification training.
Abstract: This article draws on a research project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, looking at early years professionals' knowledge about speech and language development and their confidence and skills in assessing normal and delayed language development Key findings, based on 829 questionnaires and 50 interviews, reveal very limited training in speech and language difficulties as part of initial training and low levels of post-qualification training in children's speech and language Practitioners are aware of the need for early identification of children's communication difficulties but lack the tools with which to perform this identification In order to provide a context for these results, a content analysis of the curricula from a variety of initial training routes explored the extent to which there was a focus explicitly on assessment and identification of children with speech and language difficulties The role of professional journals and key texts in supporting practitioners in making judgements about
36 citations
TL;DR: This article found that the teachers and children collectively created a playful classroom environment by engaging in on-going improvised activity and that teachers often served as skilled improvisers, by creating, together with the children in their class, new performances out of whatever was available at the moment.
Abstract: This study presents the findings from a qualitative case study of free playtime in a toddler and a preschool classroom. This study explores whether recent understandings of play as a collectively produced improvised activity can shed light on the role of the early childhood teacher. The study found that the teachers and children collectively created a playful classroom environment by engaging in on-going improvised activity. The teachers often served as skilled improvisers, by creating, together with the children in their class, new performances out of whatever was available at the moment. The study concludes with a recommendation that improvisational theatre training be considered as a potentially supportive form of teacher education.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors look at the conduct of the Public Order Police (POP), a unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in recent years and observe that significant change in police responses toward the public has taken place.
Abstract: Since the mid-1990s, the state police agency in South Africa has embarked on programmes to "transform" itself into a service that is suited to a democratic political dispensation in South Africa. This has meant that policing has had to become more tolerant, community-oriented and democratic. This article attempts to appraise this transformation process by looking at the conduct of the Public Order Police (POP), a unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in recent years. Observations of the unit and interviews with members of all ranks demonstrate that significant change in police responses toward the public has taken place. However, members of the unit repeat past behaviour despite organizational reform processes. Drawing on the work of Janet Chan and Edgar Schein, resistance to change is explained in terms of deeply held assumptions, attitudes and values.
25 citations
TL;DR: This article investigated how preschool teachers in Iceland view early childhood education and the professional preschool teacher and revealed dilemmas concerning the use of concepts such as teaching and care, cooperation with the primary schools, the organization of the preschool day, and the role of preschool teachers.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate how preschool teachers in Iceland view early childhood education and the professional preschool teacher. Focus groups consisting of early childhood educators in Iceland were interviewed. Each of four focus groups comprised educators who held similar positions. They were: (1) preschool teachers; (2) preschool directors; (3) preschool consultants; and (4) educators of preschool teachers. Data were analyzed using strategies of qualitative inquiry. The analysis revealed dilemmas concerning the use of concepts such as teaching and care, cooperation with the primary schools, the organization of the preschool day, and the role of preschool teachers in children's learning. The results were interpreted in the light of postmodern perspectives of the child and early childhood institutions.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the organisation of a teachers' professional network and the teachers' use of 'pedagogical documentation' to analyse, reflect on and critique pedagogical practice.
Abstract: This article describes the organisation of a teachers' professional network and the teachers' use of 'pedagogical documentation' to analyse, reflect on and critique pedagogical practice. It explores ways in which a forum and process were created for teachers to think about assumptions, values and the purpose of education, explore reciprocal influences of teachers' and children's interactions, and deepen opportunities for parents and children to contribute to the curriculum. It discusses policy and practice implications and points to ways for engaging in a broader debate.
12 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that introducing young children to the use of different sequences in their drawings may facilitate their development in solving a range of graphic problems.
Abstract: This paper reports a study of drawings of men and dogs by 80 British children aged 3-7 years, which are analysed for their degree of differentiation in relation to the graphic features and tools used, and also for the sequencing of the different features incorporated. In common with previous research, the degree and sophistication of differentiation is shown to generally increase with age. However, the production of different sequences of features within the two drawings is shown to be more closely and directly related to their degree of differentiation. It is argued that introducing young children to the use of different sequences in their drawings may facilitate their development in solving a range of graphic problems.
3 citations
TL;DR: In a cross-sectional study done in the United States, 19 female and 17 male children ranging in age from 30- to 36-months (M =33 months, 8 days) were presented with two different search and retrieval type problems to solve as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In this cross-sectional study done in the United States, 19 female and 17 male children ( N =36) ranging in age from 30- to 36-months ( M =33 months, 8 days) were presented with two different search and retrieval type problems to solve. Examination of the data revealed clear age-related differences between children who fluidly and efficiently problem solve using symbolically mediated knowledge and those who do not. Younger children tended to rely on a trial and error, motor-based strategy for solving the problems presented, whereas older children consistently used symbolic strategies. This conclusion supports findings from other similar studies. Further analyses of the data, however, revealed an interesting phenomenon in the form of a patterned, non-random error. This error pattern, a perseverative-type error, and the other problem-solving strategies used by the two-year-olds and young threes in this study offer insight into how young children become efficient users of symbols. Facilitating the developmen...
2 citations