Articles tagged with Preschool
Children who attend preschool enter kindergarten with greater skills than those who don't, but this advantage is short-lived. While pre-K graduates show initial gains in academic skills, their peers quickly close the gap, suggesting that preschool's long-term benefits may be limited.
Researchers are conducting a large-scale study to understand the biological factors driving tooth decay in preschool-aged children in Yuma, Ariz., and on the island of Hawai'i. The study aims to discover interventions to eliminate bacteria contributing to childhood tooth decay.
A recent study published by Boston University found that consuming 100% fruit juice during the preschool years was associated with higher intakes of whole fruit and better diet quality through childhood into middle adolescence. Preschoolers who drank more fruit juice tended to maintain healthier diets into adolescence.
Preschool teachers often prioritize handwriting over communication in writing instruction, which may put young students at a disadvantage for academic success. Researchers found that environmental supports and materials were available in 94% of classrooms, but meaningful opportunities for writing were limited.
A study of 211 children found adverse childhood experiences and caregiver support are associated with changes in brain regions, particularly those involved in emotional regulation and social behavior. The research suggests that strong caregiver support can mitigate negative effects of childhood adversity on brain development.
A five-year WSU study is tracking 200 Seattle-area children to measure physical activity, body mass index, sleep, and gut microbiome in two groups: Tiny Trees outdoor preschool students and traditional preschool students. The goal is to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of outdoor preschools in preventing childhood obesity.
A new study found that children in preschool have unique interactions with teachers and peers, with some interacting more with their teacher than others. The study used video cameras to capture the class environment from each child's perspective.
A longitudinal study found that a preschool quality improvement program boosted participants' high school grades, partly due to gains in math and vocabulary made in preschool. The study also suggests that short-term improvements in basic skills laid the groundwork for advanced academic competencies over time.
A preschool program using rhythm and movement activities boosts children's self-regulation skills and improves school readiness. The program, which involves group sessions twice a week for eight weeks, has been shown to produce significant changes in attentional and emotional development.
A UK study reveals that state-funded preschools maintain high-quality childcare settings due to highly qualified staff, even with less favorable child-to-staff ratios. The study's findings suggest that policy changes and in-service training plans are crucial factors in predicting quality.
A Rutgers study found that early childhood obesity prevention interventions are needed beyond preschool education settings. The research emphasizes the importance of culturally adapted, bilingual nutrition and physical activity programs for children and their families.
A study from Aarhus University found that individual behavioral treatment and support for parent training significantly improves ADHD symptoms, parenting self-esteem, and family strain compared to routine treatment. The New Forest Parenting Programme is an effective intervention in real-life settings.
A Portland State University professor has received a $3.3 million federal grant to study the impact of an early-learning program aimed at improving children's readiness for kindergarten and later grades. The MindUP program, designed by actress Goldie Hawn's foundation, focuses on developing social-emotional and self-regulation skills.
A randomized clinical trial found that a preschool home visiting program improved child academic performance, social-emotional adjustment, and reduced home problems in third grade. The intervention promoted gains in these domains, mediating significant reductions in child need for educational and mental health services.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found an association between preschool and school-age irritability and aberrant reward-related brain connectivity. This suggests possible mechanisms underlying mood dysregulation in youth with increased irritability during these developmental st...
Researchers found abnormal brain connectivity in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder, which may underlie the disorder's abnormal development and contribute to its mechanisms. The study suggests that these altered patterns could be used as potential imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis.
A new study found that preschoolers who learned to classify food as healthy or unhealthy were more likely to choose healthier snacks. Using one-dimensional descriptive phrases, such as how often food should be consumed, is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers.
The Literacy 3D program expands to more classrooms, increasing children's engagement with evidence-based literacy activities and fostering growth in pre-literacy skills. Preliminary findings show a positive impact on early literacy skills and expressive language.
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers found that children who participated in an intensive early childhood education program from preschool to third grade were more likely to complete an associate's degree or higher and a bachelor's degree, with significant gains in educational attainment compared to those in other programs.
A study funded by NIH found that graduates of a high-quality early childhood program showed higher attainment of college degrees compared to a similar group. The Child-Parent Centers (CPC) program, which provided intensive instruction and parental support, had a positive impact on adults' educational outcomes.
A preschool program called REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) has been shown to improve executive function skills and academic performance in low-income children. The program focuses on building social and emotional skills, which are critical for learning and classroom engagement.
Research from Purdue University found that preschool children who engage in math activities at home show improvements in both math and language skills. The study suggests that dialogue about values and comparisons during math lessons helps young children develop oral language skills.
A new study from the University of Minnesota confirms that preschool to 3rd grade programs can close the achievement gap by increasing school readiness, improving attendance, and strengthening parental involvement. The Child-Parent Center program led to literacy gains in St. Paul Public schools.
Children in Montessori preschools show improved academic performance and social understanding, while enjoying their school work more. Low-income children, who typically don't perform as well at school, significantly benefit from Montessori education, achieving similar academic results to high-income peers.
A national study led by Michigan State University researcher Sacha Klein found that participating in Head Start may help prevent young children from being placed in foster care. Kids up to age 5 in the program were 93% less likely to end up in foster care than those without early care and education.
A Michigan State University study found that preschool teachers lack knowledge and confidence in teaching science, contributing to the US poor global performance in this subject. Only high-skilled teachers created quality scientific opportunities for students.
Preschool children in joint physical custody show less behavioral problems and psychological symptoms compared to those living mostly or only with one parent. A new study finds that continuity and stability are crucial for young children's mental health.
A study of nearly 400 preschool children found that only one adhered to the 5-2-1-0 guidelines for a full 24-hour period. The study suggests room for improvement in dietary intake, physical activity, and screen time among young children.
A new study finds that same-sex couples do not influence their adopted children's gender identity development, with typical behavior emerging from early childhood. The research suggests that family structure has little impact on gender conformity or nonconformity.
A new study shows that preschool children learn fewer words from storybooks with double-page illustrations compared to single-spread books. The effect can be reversed if the reader gestures to the correct page while reading.
Researchers at AAAS found that Indian preschoolers who played math games for four months showed significant improvements in math assessments, with gains lasting up to a year. The study suggests that preschool-level training with numerate adults can help prepare children for primary school math curricula.
A study found that preschool children who played math games improved in conceptual math skills, but these gains did not transfer to primary school. The intervention had no effect on formal math skills, despite improving non-symbolic abilities.
A new study shows that preschool kids who share their own accord are happier than those who are obliged to do so. When given stickers, children aged 3-5 years old exhibited greater happiness when sharing voluntarily rather than being forced to do so.
Children at Swedish 'gender-neutral' preschools show reduced tendencies for gender-stereotypical assumptions when interacting with peers of the opposite sex. This is attributed to the norm-conscious practices used by teachers, which also promote increased interest in playing with unfamiliar peers.
A new study found that children in Head Start who miss 10% or more of the school year have fewer academic gains than their peers. The study highlights the scope and consequences of preschool absences on early learning.
A study by the University of California, Berkeley, and the Max Planck Institute in Germany found that children who transitioned earlier to a formal school environment learn to be more focused and less impulsive than their preschool peers. This is attributed to the structured learning environment of school, which boosts certain cognitiv...
The number of preschool children with visual impairment is expected to rise by 25% in the US by 2060. The majority of visual impairment will stem from simple uncorrected refractive errors.
A large study of Norwegian families found that prenatal and postpartum maternal depression have varying effects on children's psychological development. Concurrent maternal depressive symptoms during preschool years are particularly detrimental to emotional and behavioral problems in young children.
A recent study from Uppsala University found that systematic exchange of information between parents, preschool teachers, and child healthcare centres (CHCs) is crucial for identifying young children with mental health issues. The study introduced a new method to enhance communication between these groups, resulting in improved assessm...
A longitudinal study conducted in Tennessee found that low-income children's math knowledge in preschool is related to their later achievement, with specific skills like patterning and counting objects being stronger predictors. This suggests that educators should focus on these areas of math development in the early years.
A new study found that low-income Latino children who attended either public school prekindergarten or center-based care with child care subsidies at age 4 did well through the end of third grade. Public school prekindergarten appeared to improve academic outcomes for third-grade Latino children, especially English language learners.
A new study from the University of Missouri has found that children who attended preschool have better alphabet recognition skills compared to those who had just begun preschool. On average, children who finished a year of preschool showed a more than 85% improvement in alphabet recognition skills.
New research from the University of Missouri shows that preschoolers who excel in Spanish letters and numbers experience significant gains in their English skills. Building on Spanish skills appears to maximize their ability to enter school ready to learn.
A University of Missouri study found that preschoolers with strong understanding of number words and quantities are better prepared for math in kindergarten. The research suggests that focusing on these fundamental concepts can lead to greater success in school.
Late preterm babies, born between 34 and 36 weeks, were developmentally on track with peers at age two. However, by preschool and kindergarten, they showed less than optimal math and reading scores compared to full-term infants.
Research by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that higher-quality preschool instruction leads to better outcomes in various skills. Children who attended more than one year of Head Start showed significant gains in academic skills when they received sufficient time in math and reading instruction.
A multi-center clinical study funded by the National Eye Institute has shown that uncorrected farsightedness in preschool children is associated with significantly worse performance on a test of early literacy. Children with moderate hyperopia did poorly on the Test of Preschool Early Literacy, especially in print knowledge domain.
A study of 421 preschool children with autism spectrum disorder reveals two distinct trajectory groups for autistic symptom severity and three for adaptive functioning. Researchers found that sex, age at diagnosis, and language scores were associated with these trajectories.
Children who attended full-day preschool had higher scores on measures of school readiness skills, increased attendance, and reduced chronic absences compared to children who attended part-day preschool. Full-day preschool was also associated with lower rates of parental involvement but no differences in cognitive development.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that depressed preschoolers are more likely to suffer from depression in elementary and middle school years. The researchers followed 246 children and found that those diagnosed with depression as preschoolers were 2.5 times more likely to develop the condition later on.
The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine publish review articles on outdoor air pollution, asthma genetics, and preschool wheeze diagnosis to improve asthma control, prognosis, and personalized treatment approaches.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that poverty in early childhood is associated with smaller brain volumes, including white matter, cortical gray matter, and hippocampal volume. The effects of poverty on brain development were also influenced by caregiving and stressful life events.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered a genetic link to behavioral problems in children's preschool and child care settings. Children with parents exhibiting high negative emotion and low self-control are more likely to struggle with behavior issues like lack of self-control and anger.
Research shows that high-quality preschool programs can have significant impacts on children's early learning, reduce disparities, and benefit middle-class children. Coaching teachers to implement engaging curricula is key to quality education.
A UMass Amherst study found that daytime naps improve memory and visual-spatial task performance in preschool children. Children who napped did significantly better on a test after a nap and the next day compared to those who didn't nap.
Research finds that supplementing children's diets with fish oil, enrolling them in quality preschool, and engaging them in interactive reading can raise their intelligence. The study also found no evidence to support the idea that early education interventions are more effective than those that begin later.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate the value of preschool naps to understand their effects on memory, behavior, and emotions in young children. The study aims to determine if napping enhances physical and emotional learning, particularly for children who don't get optimal overnight sleep.
Researchers developed a new questionnaire to assess preschoolers' behavior, enabling early identification and treatment of emerging mental health problems. The study found that temper tantrums are not frequent among young children, occurring less than 10% of the time.
A University of Miami study found that shy preschool children start with lower academic skills and show slower gains than their peers. Children displaying shy behavior early on are at a greater risk of academic struggles, whereas loud and disruptive kids may benefit from specific educational strategies.
A new University of Virginia study found little to no correlation between pretend play and children's mental development. However, researchers did find evidence that it contributes to language, storytelling, social development, and self-regulation.