The Effects of the Project Approach on Children in Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms

Research on the impact of the Project Approach on young children with disabilities or children who are at-risk is limited. Mixed methods were used to study the impact of the Project Approach on the social interactions, challenging behaviors, and language development of eight focal children in two inclusive classrooms. Child participants were two children with IEPs and two children identified as at-risk from each class. Adult participants were six professionals who received high quality supports to implement the Project Approach. Adults were interviewed prior to the beginning of the study and again mid-, and post-implementation. Choice time observations were videotaped twice per week over 14 weeks to assess the impact of the Project Approach on play levels and MLUm. Results revealed that social interactions, challenging behaviors, vocabulary, MLUm, were positively impacted following implementation of the Project Approach. Limitations of the study and suggestions for research and practice are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Special Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Beneke, Sallee J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ostrosky, Michaelene M.
• Fowler, Susan A.
• Santos Gilbertz, Rosa Milagros
• Katz, Lilian G.

• project based learning
• Active Learning
• early childhood education
• special education
• inclusion (education)
• coaching
• mentors
• preschool curriculum
• early intervention
• Inclusive Schools
• student projects

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2010 Sallee Jean Beneke

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18283

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/18283