Determining the feasibility and acceptability of a garden-based nutrition curriculum for preschoolers

Obesity rates around the nation have risen to epidemic proportions. Rates of childhood obesity are at very high levels with 24.4% of preschool-aged children in the U.S. currently considered as overweight or obese. The percentage of childhood obesity is much higher in the southern part of the United States as compared to the rest of the nation. Minority populations, especially African American and Hispanic, are affected more than other ethnic groups. Obesity prevention programs are needed targeting young children <6 years of age from minority populations. Currently, there are few obesity prevention programs that have been implemented and evaluated in children <6 years of age. Gardening programs have been successful in improving the health status of elementary school children by increasing fruit and vegetable intake and increasing preferences for healthier food choices. However, there is no evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of a garden-based obesity prevention program among preschoolers. This pretest study, a classroom-based gardening curriculum program with 16 lesson plans and coordinating activities for preschool age children (3-5 years old) enrolled in Head Start, provides the opportunity to address this need. The study included 103 preschoolers from two centers and 9 teachers or teachers' aides. Qualitative data on feasibility and acceptability was collected from process evaluation forms of individual lesson plans and focus groups with teachers. Teacher questionnaires assessed individual teacher characteristics and provided feedback regarding the curriculum. Quantitative measures of teachers' self-efficacy, attitudes, and knowledge pertaining to nutrition were analyzed from pre and post-test surveys. Results revealed this preschool garden-based nutrition curriculum was both feasible and acceptable. The program improved teacher's self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes about nutrition, with teacher's confidence in ability to teach a gardening curriculum increasing from a mean score of 2.14 to 3.00 from pre to post test (P value = 0.0046). These results indicate implementing garden-based nutrition lessons within preschools is achievable. Employing garden-based nutrition lessons in the classroom is the first step in teaching children about nutrition and gardening concepts. Constructing gardening beds for more hands-on learning is the next proposed step in the larger parent study of this program.^

Possible selves of inner city fourth graders: What do they believe about their future education and occupation?

Possible selves, a component of self-concept, are the thoughts people have about their future. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the educational and occupational possible selves of inner city children. Specific aims of the study were to: 1) Assess the similarities and differences between the level of schooling inner city children hope to complete and expect to complete, and 2) Assess the similarities and differences between the jobs inner city children hope to have in the future and expect to have. As part of a larger study designed to pilot test a health promotion intervention, fourth grade students (n = 19) completed two measures: the Level of Schooling Questionnaire and the Jobs Questionnaire. No significant differences were found between students' hoped-for and expected educational possible selves or their hoped-for and expected occupational possible selves. Future studies can explore methods and strategies to support, encourage, and cultivate inner city children's possible selves.^

Better together: Addressing maternal and child health outcomes through community health worker continuing education curricula

Background. The incidence of birth defects is a significant public health issue in the United States, adversely affecting the quality of life for parents as well as children born with these defects. Minority populations face a greater burden of birth defects and associated health problems. Prenatal practices can have a large impact on infant health outcomes. Several behaviors during pregnancy, including the intake of folic acid, can greatly influence the likelihood of a child being born with a birth defect. Community Health Workers have been shown to be effective agents at improving prenatal practices, especially when they facilitate support groups that feature pregnant women. ^ Methods. A continuing education curriculum has been created for Community Health Workers that provides content in the area of Maternal and Child Health. Content was selected after conducting a review of relevant literature and theory. Materials for conducting a training for Community Health Workers have been created in addition to materials that were designed for the population with whom the CHWs work. ^ Results. A description of each "key point" of the curriculum and a justification how it relates to the literature of the prevention of birth defects is given here. Additionally, the process of creating the curriculum using the platform delineated in the methods is described. ^ Discussion. Insights for future curriculum development are discussed along with next steps in the process of certifying the curriculum at the state level. A framework for future evaluation of the curriculum is given.^

Gender-preferential intergenerational patterns in primary education attainment : a quantitative analysis of a case of rural Mindanao, the Philippines

The Philippines has achieved a relatively high standard of education. Previous researches, most of which deal with Luzon Island, have indicated that rural poverty alleviation began partly due to the increased investment in education. However, the suburban areas beyond Luzon Island have rarely been studied. This study examines a case from rural Mindanao, and investigates the determinants and factors associated with children's education, with a special focus on delays in schooling, which may be a cause of dropout and holdover incidences, as well as exploring gender-specific differential patterns. The result shows that after controlling other socioeconomic attributes, (1) delays in schooling, as well as years completed, are more favorable for girls than boys; (2) the level of maternal education is equally associated with the child(ren)’s education level regardless of their gender; and (3) paternal education is preferentially and favorably influential to the same-gender child(ren), i.e., son(s). To reduce the boy-unfriendly gender bias in primary education, this study suggests two future tasks, i.e., providing boy-specific interventions to enhance the magnitude of the father-son educational virtuous circle, and comparing the magnitude of gender-equal maternal education influence and boy-preferential paternal education influence to specify which effect is larger.

The impact of a computer based adult literacy program on literacy and numeracy : evidence from India

With over 700 million illiterate adults in the world, many governments have implemented adult literacy programs across the world, although typically with low rates of success partly because the quality of teaching is low. One solution may lie in the standardization of teaching provided by computer-aided instruction. We present the first rigorous evidence of the effectiveness of a computer-based adult literacy program. A randomized control trial study of TARA Akshar Plus, an Indian adult literacy program, was implemented in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. We find large, significant impacts of this computer-aided program on literacy and numeracy outcomes. We compare the improvement in learning to that of other traditional adult literacy programs and conclude that TARA Akshar Plus is effective in increasing literacy and numeracy for illiterate adult women.

ETNOMETODOLOGIA E MULTIRREFERENCIALIDADE: A FORMAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR DOS ANOS INICIAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL SOB DUAS PERSPECTIVAS DE ANÁLISE

BARBOSA, Sílvia Maria C. Etnometodologia e ulterreferencialidade: a formação do professor dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental sob duas perspectivas. São Bernardo do Campo: UMESP, p. 122, 2006. O estudo discute o Curso de Pedagogia do Programa Especial de Formação Profissional para Professores de Educação Básica PROFORMAÇÃO, da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte/UERN. Assumo a hipótese de que, ao ser pensado e vivido, este não leva em conta a vida dos professores, com seus: conceitos, normas, conhecimentos e concepções de mundo, e precisa ser pensado de forma complexa. À luz da etnometodologia de Coulon (1995) e da abordagem multirreferencial de Ardoino, Barbosa, Macedo (1998, 2000), pretendo contribuir para a compreensão da formação do professor dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental a partir da leitura da realidade do professor e de sua formação, com a perspectiva de contribuir com as discussões referidas ao curso, para que esse se torne mais adequado à realidade dos professores de Ensino Fundamental. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza etnometodológica, com aspectos da pesquisa-ação (Barbier, 1977), tendo como coadjuvantes três alunas-professoras que estudaram no curso durante o período de 2001 a 2004. A leitura minuciosa dos dados fez com que eu percebesse que a hipótese formulada não condiz com o momento atual da pesquisa, claro que o estudo ora realizado não tem como objetivo comprovar ou não a hipótese. Até porque numa pesquisa edificada a partir da etnometodologiamulterreferencialidade, a hipótese perde totalmente o sentido, já que busco compreender e demonstrar o que se passa no curso em estudo. Vários fatores ocasionaram o diferencial da turma, como: todos os professores-formadores eram dos quadros efetivos da UERN; professores-formadores com experiência em pesquisa; três professoras-formadoras estiveram do início ao fim do curso.

ETNOMETODOLOGIA E MULTIRREFERENCIALIDADE: A FORMAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR DOS ANOS INICIAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL SOB DUAS PERSPECTIVAS DE ANÁLISE

BARBOSA, Sílvia Maria C. Etnometodologia e ulterreferencialidade: a formação do professor dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental sob duas perspectivas. São Bernardo do Campo: UMESP, p. 122, 2006. O estudo discute o Curso de Pedagogia do Programa Especial de Formação Profissional para Professores de Educação Básica PROFORMAÇÃO, da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte/UERN. Assumo a hipótese de que, ao ser pensado e vivido, este não leva em conta a vida dos professores, com seus: conceitos, normas, conhecimentos e concepções de mundo, e precisa ser pensado de forma complexa. À luz da etnometodologia de Coulon (1995) e da abordagem multirreferencial de Ardoino, Barbosa, Macedo (1998, 2000), pretendo contribuir para a compreensão da formação do professor dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental a partir da leitura da realidade do professor e de sua formação, com a perspectiva de contribuir com as discussões referidas ao curso, para que esse se torne mais adequado à realidade dos professores de Ensino Fundamental. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza etnometodológica, com aspectos da pesquisa-ação (Barbier, 1977), tendo como coadjuvantes três alunas-professoras que estudaram no curso durante o período de 2001 a 2004. A leitura minuciosa dos dados fez com que eu percebesse que a hipótese formulada não condiz com o momento atual da pesquisa, claro que o estudo ora realizado não tem como objetivo comprovar ou não a hipótese. Até porque numa pesquisa edificada a partir da etnometodologiamulterreferencialidade, a hipótese perde totalmente o sentido, já que busco compreender e demonstrar o que se passa no curso em estudo. Vários fatores ocasionaram o diferencial da turma, como: todos os professores-formadores eram dos quadros efetivos da UERN; professores-formadores com experiência em pesquisa; três professoras-formadoras estiveram do início ao fim do curso.

Educationally deficient adults : their education and training needs /

Reprint of the 1964 ed. published by McGraw-Hill. N. Y.

Immigrant education; Americanization in industry,

Cover-title.

Guide to the Secretary of State Literacy Effort /

Description based on 1998 fiscal year; Title from cover.

Education pamphlets

A collection of miscellaneous pamphlets.

Education pamphlets

A collection of miscellaneous pamphlets.

Elementary school course of study /

Cover title: Course of study for the elementary schools of Wyoming.

National Adult Literacy Congress, leadership in action : September 17-20, 1993 : goals and action plans : source notes--summary /

Mode of access: Internet.

ETNOMETODOLOGIA E MULTIRREFERENCIALIDADE: A FORMAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR DOS ANOS INICIAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL SOB DUAS PERSPECTIVAS DE ANÁLISE

BARBOSA, Sílvia Maria C. Etnometodologia e ulterreferencialidade: a formação do professor dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental sob duas perspectivas. São Bernardo do Campo: UMESP, p. 122, 2006. O estudo discute o Curso de Pedagogia do Programa Especial de Formação Profissional para Professores de Educação Básica PROFORMAÇÃO, da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte/UERN. Assumo a hipótese de que, ao ser pensado e vivido, este não leva em conta a vida dos professores, com seus: conceitos, normas, conhecimentos e concepções de mundo, e precisa ser pensado de forma complexa. À luz da etnometodologia de Coulon (1995) e da abordagem multirreferencial de Ardoino, Barbosa, Macedo (1998, 2000), pretendo contribuir para a compreensão da formação do professor dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental a partir da leitura da realidade do professor e de sua formação, com a perspectiva de contribuir com as discussões referidas ao curso, para que esse se torne mais adequado à realidade dos professores de Ensino Fundamental. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza etnometodológica, com aspectos da pesquisa-ação (Barbier, 1977), tendo como coadjuvantes três alunas-professoras que estudaram no curso durante o período de 2001 a 2004. A leitura minuciosa dos dados fez com que eu percebesse que a hipótese formulada não condiz com o momento atual da pesquisa, claro que o estudo ora realizado não tem como objetivo comprovar ou não a hipótese. Até porque numa pesquisa edificada a partir da etnometodologiamulterreferencialidade, a hipótese perde totalmente o sentido, já que busco compreender e demonstrar o que se passa no curso em estudo. Vários fatores ocasionaram o diferencial da turma, como: todos os professores-formadores eram dos quadros efetivos da UERN; professores-formadores com experiência em pesquisa; três professoras-formadoras estiveram do início ao fim do curso.