early childhood education dissertation topics

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49 Early Childhood Education Dissertation Topics and Ideas

by Antony W

June 28, 2024

Are you looking for some early childhood education dissertation topics but have no idea where to start? This guide is for you.

We understand that the best topics in this category of learning won’t come automatically during brainstorming. So some insights from can go a long way to help you identify the right topic ideas to consider for your project.

This guide is more than just a list of dissertation topics in early childhood education. It’s a guide in which we’ll go even further and look at:

What early childhood education is
How to choose early childhood education topics and
Early childhood education dissertation topics

Let’s explore these subtopics even further to help you gain more insights into the topic:

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early childhood education is a teaching program that encompasses all form of formal and informal education provided to children of up to 8 years of age. Not only is this education significant to the current stage of the child. It also plays an important role of shaping them for later years in their lives.

Informal education: Parents and caregivers are the major source of input that helps children’s early stage of development. In this case, parents are the first teachers, and it’s a crucial stage for children aged 0 to 2 years. Often, this is the point where a child develops a sense of self-awareness and attachment with parents.
Formal education: Spanning between 2 to 8 years, formal early childhood education, which varies from state to state and from program to program, is a program that qualified teachers can provide in any relevant settings. Some of these settings include preschool, nursery schools, and kindergarten.

How to Choose Early Education Childhood Education Dissertation Topics

You never want to choose dissertation topics in early childhood education research topics blindly. So it’s important to make sure you consider a few things before you conclude that a certain topic is worth working on.

Essentially, the topic you choose should be:

Relevant: The topic you choose should be historic in kind and very relevant in its nature. You will have to identify research that already exist on the topic and then figure out how you can expand it.
Specific: Does the topic have a specific scientific significance? If you can formulate the goals and objectives of the study, then the topic could be worth investigating.
Practical: Your topic should be practical in the sense that it clearly explains who will benefit from the research and also explain the relevant area of application.

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Early Childhood Education Dissertation Topics

Below are some of the examples of the early childhood education Dissertation topics that you should consider:

Discuss a children's book about gender norms.
How to Instill Early Leadership Skills in Children
What are the difficulties that immigrant children face while attending classes alongside other children in mainstream classrooms?
What are the advantages of early childhood education for children?
Early learning provides opportunities.
Evaluating the attributes of a good primary school teacher in early childhood education
What is the best age to start exposing children to technology?
Examine children's literature for patterns of prejudicial representation.
What are the fundamental abilities of children in their early stages of development?
Explain the various stages of structure play in early childhood.
Explain and highlight the factors that influence teachers' levels of motivation.
What hardships do young children face as they adapt to compulsory schooling?
What are the roles of parents and teachers in instilling good ethics and morals in young children during early childhood education?
What should be the primary focus of early developmental learning: academics or extracurricular activities?
What are parents' concerns about their children attending school?
What role does the student-teacher relationship play in ensuring that young children reach developmental milestones on time?
The effect does seating arrangements in a classroom have on young students
What role can teachers and parents play to combat the act of bullying among children in the young age?
What is the value of primary education now when homeschooling is becoming more popular?
How can the challenges of nation-building be addressed by developing a more effective curriculum for early childhood education?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of instilling nationalist ideologies in young children?
What is the significance of recess in school and how does it affect early learning?
Explain the barriers to learning and the opportunities for young children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
How to Ensure Young Children's Early Literacy
Piaget's developmental stages
What are common definitions of "good" and "bad" from the perspective of a young child; provide a thorough review.
What are the potential advantages of a Montessori education?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile classroom applications in terms of increasing parent-student interaction?
What is the impact of mandatory school uniforms; discuss both the educational benefits and drawbacks of mandatory school uniforms.
Physical classes vs. online classes; weigh the benefits and drawbacks!
Effective strategies for instilling etiquette in young students
What are the advantages of homework?
What are the limitations and risks of encouraging young children to develop a "sense of belonging" and "personal identity"?
Determine an age-appropriate minimum level of social responsibility in young children.
Describe effective behavior management techniques for young children.
How do you instill self-worth in young children?
The advantages of taking short breaks between long periods of study for young children
What technologies and tools can be used to enhance and improve young children's learning experiences?
Is the use of electronic whiteboards the future of education?
What are the best techniques for teachers to use when providing experiential learning to preschool students versus primary school students?
Language learning techniques that work for young children
Should we encourage the inclusion of kids with learning disabilities in regular schools?
Should pre-school curricula be defined by standardized educational mechanisms?
How are children portrayed in the mainstream media?
What are the pedagogical advantages of learning via the internet?
What exactly is the theory of authoritarian management?
What are the rules of online learning?
Is online learning advantageous for young children?
What exactly is gamified learning? Discuss the benefits and drawbacks.

It’s important to understand that these topic ideas are by no means an exhaustive list. Still, they make a good starting point to identify the right topic to work on as an early childhood education student.

About the author

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

71 Best Education Dissertation Topic Ideas

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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education dissertation topics ideas, explained below

It’s hard to choose and settle on a topic for your education dissertation. When I was choosing my topic, I was confused and uncertain. I wished I had a list like this that would help me out!

The topics below are best for undergraduate (B.A / B.Ed) or masters (M.A / M.Ed) students. Check out these 51 topic ideas, use them, and adapt them to create a topic that suits you.

The Lazy Man’s Top 10

before I dig in…

Here is a quick list of my top 9 favorite education dissertation topic ideas:

What skill development strategies can be observed in children’s play?
What evidence is there for the theory of multiple intelligences?
What are parents’ attitudes toward play-based learning in schools?
Is there a correlation between student stress levels and standardized exams?
What are the differences in teaching strategies between experienced and novice teachers?
What are the greatest challenges faced by teachers in their first 3 years in the profession?
What does the literature say about the differences between phonics and whole language learning?
What are the factors facilitating successful inclusion of students with behavioral disabilities?
What do teachers believe has been the effect of technology on students’ learning?

Read this First: 9 Tips for Choosing a Dissertation Topic

Education Dissertation Topic Ideas (List

1. dissertation ideas for studying early childhood education.

Structured and Unstructured Play: What are the perspectives of parents about the benefits of structured and unstructured play for children?
Transitioning to School: What do educators identify as the key challenges of transitioning from early childhood to compulsory schooling settings?
Children’s Book Representation: How do the 50 most popular children’s books of the 21 st Century promote gender norms? (For this one, consider also using the social graces concept to add a more analytical lens.)
Montessori Settings: What do teachers in Montessori educational settings perceive to be the benefits and limitations of a Montessori-style education?
Parents’ Anxieties: What are parents’ initial anxieties about sending their children to preschool?
Studying Promotional Literature: A semiotic analysis of the representation of the stages of play in early childhood learning center promotional literature.
Representation in News: How is the early childhood education and care (ECEC) profession represented in mainstream news?
Benefits of ECE: What do parent perceive to be the developmental benefits of early childhood education for their children?
Impact of Digital Technologies on Early Learning : Exploring how the use of tablets, educational apps, and digital storytelling influences cognitive and social development in preschool children.
Parental Involvement and Its Effects on Early Childhood Education : Examining the role of parental engagement in the educational outcomes and social development of preschool children.
Comparative Study of Outdoor Versus Indoor Play in Early Childhood Development : Assessing the impact of outdoor play environments versus traditional indoor classrooms on physical, emotional, and cognitive growth in young children.
Nutrition and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood : Investigating the correlation between nutritional intake and cognitive development in preschool-aged children.
Early Intervention Strategies for Children with Special Needs : Exploring effective early intervention techniques for children with developmental delays or disabilities in early childhood education settings.
The Role of Storytelling in Language Development : Analyzing how storytelling and narrative play contribute to language acquisition and literacy skills in early childhood.
Effects of Teacher-Child Ratio on Learning Outcomes : Evaluating the impact of teacher-to-child ratios in preschool settings on individual attention, learning outcomes, and overall classroom dynamics.
Exploring Play-Based Learning Versus Structured Curriculum in Early Education : Comparing the outcomes of play-based learning approaches to more structured, curriculum-based methods in early childhood education.
Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education : Investigating the integration and effectiveness of social-emotional learning programs in fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills in young children.
Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Classrooms : Investigating how educators can integrate various cultural backgrounds and practices into their teaching to create an inclusive environment for children.

2. Dissertation Ideas for Studying Elementary Teaching

Piaget’s Stages: Are Piaget’s stages of development an accurate reflection of the abilities of children in the concrete stage of development?
Behavior Management Styles: What are teachers’ perspectives of authoritarian behavior management strategies ?
Behavior Management Strategies: What do teachers perceive as the most effective behavior management strategy for children aged 5 – 7?
Pros and Cons of Homework : What do parents perceive to be the benefits of no homework for children?
Autism in Classrooms: What are parents’ perceptions and concerns about integration of children with autism into mainstream classrooms?
Seating Arrangements: How do changes in seating arrangements from rows to table groups impact learning in a Grade 5 classroom?
Benefits of Play Breaks: According to educators, what are the benefits and limitations of regular play breaks for learning?
Phonics vs Whole Language Learning: What do teachers perceive to be the benefits and limitations of the phonics versus whole language learning approaches to literacy?
Development through Play: What skill development strategies can be observed in children’s play during recess breaks in schools?
Compulsory School Uniforms: What do educators in a school that has compulsory school uniforms see as the educational benefits or drawbacks of compulsory uniforms?
Sense of Belonging: What are the barriers and opportunities for promoting a ‘sense of belonging’ in primary school classrooms?
Technology Integration in Elementary Classrooms : Investigating the impact of integrating technology such as interactive whiteboards and educational software on student engagement and learning outcomes.
Differentiated Instruction Strategies : Evaluating the effectiveness of differentiated instruction in meeting the diverse learning needs of students in elementary school settings.
Parent-Teacher Communication : Analyzing the role of parent-teacher communication in student academic performance and behavioral development in elementary schools.
Impact of Bilingual Education : Exploring the cognitive, linguistic, and academic outcomes of bilingual education programs in elementary schools.
Teacher Perceptions of Standardized Testing : Investigating elementary school teachers’ views on the impact of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning.
Social Skills Development Through Cooperative Learning : Examining the effectiveness of cooperative learning strategies in promoting social skills and teamwork among elementary school students.
Environmental Education in Elementary Curriculum : Analyzing the impact of incorporating environmental education into the elementary curriculum on students’ awareness and attitudes towards environmental issues.

Related: How to Write a Dissertation from Beginning to End

3. Dissertation Ideas for Studying Middle & High School Contexts

Homework vs Extracurricular Activities: What are students’ perceptions of the impact of homework on their after school extracurricular activities?
Nationalism in Curriculum Documents: How are nationalist ideologies reinforced and challenged in the current curriculum documents of [your jurisdiction]?
Preparation for Life: What are students’ perceptions of how well school prepares them for university / trades / real life?
Standardized Tests: What are students’ / teachers’/ parents’ perceptions of standardized tests in high school?
Mentorship: What do high school teachers in leadership positions perceive to be the best approaches to mentoring early career teachers?
Childhood Citizenship: Which models of childhood citizenship are evident in [your jurisdiction’s] curriculum?
Traits of Quality Teachers: What do parents perceive to be the traits of quality teachers in primary school vs. high school?
Students’ Perceptions of Teachers: What do adolescents see as the qualities of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ teachers?
Moral Values in Education: What do educators see as their role versus parents’ roles in promoting the moral values of children?
Migrant Challenges in the School System: What do parents of immigrant children see as the challenges their children face in schools in their new nation?

4. Educational Technology Dissertation Ideas

Use of Electronic Whiteboards: How prepared do pre-service teachers feel about teaching using Electronic White Boards?
Mobile Phones in the Classroom: What are parents’ perceptions of classroom mobile phone apps that are designed to increase parent-student interactions?
Impact of Technology on Learning: What are teachers’ perspectives of the impact of technology on student learning?
Gaming for Creative Writing: Can gaming help promote creative writing skills among boys aged 10-12?
Best Age for Introducing Technology: What age do parents perceive to be the best age for introducing children to technology?
Boys vs Girls Technology Usage: What are the differences between boys’ and girls’ technology usage habits during free time at school?
Online Learning Benefits and Challenges: What social, pedagogical and cognitive benefits and limitations do students face when learning online ?
Use of AI Large Language Models: How can Large Language Models like ChatGPT be beneficial for learning?

5. General Education and Teaching Dissertation Ideas

The Value of University: What do experienced educators perceive is the value of their university education?
Poverty and Education: What are teachers’ perceptions of the barriers and opportunities to learning for children in poverty?
Challenges faced by [Gender] Teachers: What challenges do male educators face in their first 5 years of teaching?
Anti-Bullying Policies: What are the main ways school leaders approach whole-school anti-bullying policy development?
Behavior Management for Developmental Delays: How do teachers differentiate their behavior management strategies for children with developmental delays?
Netiquette: What do teachers believe to be effective netiquette rules for online learning ?
Motivations for Taking a Promotion: What are the factors that impact teachers’ motivations for promotion into leadership positions in schools?
Reflective Practice: What do teachers perceive to be the role of reflection in their practice, and what are the most common reflective practice strategies among practitioners?
Theory Testing: What evidence is there for the theory of multiple intelligences?
Extroverts vs Introverts: How do Introverted and Extroverted Students Learn Differently?
Purpose of Schooling: What do parents perceive to be the purpose of schooling?
Experienced vs Novice Teachers: What differences are there in behavior management strategies for experienced versus novice teachers?
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation: What do teachers believe are the benefits and challenges of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation strategies ?

6. Ideas that Involve Interviewing your Classmates!

A lot of my students like to use this idea because they can use a snowball sampling method rather than having to seek out teachers or schools to interview and study:

Concerns in Entering the Teaching Profession: What do pre-service teachers see as their biggest worries about entering the teaching profession?
Feeling Unprepared: What do pre-service teachers perceive to be the major factors that their degree does not prepare them for, before entering the workforce?
Benefits of a Dissertation Project: What do a cohort of teacher education students see as the benefits of conducting a final dissertation project prior to entering the profession? (see also: cohort effect )
Differences in Perspectives (Freshman vs Senior): What are the differences between freshman (first year) and senior (final year) students’ perspectives of the role of the classroom teacher in the 21 st Century?

Read Also: 25 Sociology Dissertation Ideas

What to do once you Choose your Topic for an Education Dissertation

Hopefully by now you have highlighted or written down 3 topics that caught your eye.

I recommend for your next step that you organize a meeting with your dissertation supervisor. Your supervisor will talk with you about your three ideas and give you advice on which to choose and why.

Each university has different requirements, so you’ll need to get input from your supervisor. Your supervisor is the person who can help you to navigate the special requirements of your particular program of study.

You’ll find that you and your supervisor will be able to tailor your chosen topic to you and your needs.

Good luck, and please do leave a comment below if you found this post useful!

I’m also always looking for more ideas to add to this list so if you came up with another idea, share it below.

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

1 thought on “71 Best Education Dissertation Topic Ideas”

Thank you for this! These open-ended examples helped me to broaden my topic some!

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education collection is formerly known as the Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling collection.

Theses/Dissertations from 2024 2024

How Important is Parental Involvement and Engagement in Preschool , Emilee M. Dixon

USING NATURALISTIC LANGUAGE INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE EXPRESSIVE COMMUNICATION OF AAC USERS WITH AUTISM , Kacey Eaton

Effect of Video Modeling and Teacher Praise on Turn-taking Behavior of Preschoolers in an Inclusive Setting , Happiness Efeturi

PIXELS OR PEOPLE: A COMPARISON OF THE DIFFERENITAL EFFECTS OF ANIMATED AND HUMAN VIDEO MODELS ON EXERCISE BEHAVIORS FOR HGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY , Jade Alexis Fulkerson

CHILD LANGUAGE AND HAPPINESS BEHAVIORS: EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CAREGIVER COACHING , Ashlen Grubbs

Evaluating a Rapid Coaching Intervention Delivered Remotely: Teaching Naturalistic Language Strategies to a Parent of Child with Down Syndrome , Pallie Gullett

Training Paraprofessionals In The Implementation Of Aided Language Modeling With Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities And CCN , Julianne Hill

COMPARISON OF VIDEO MODELING AND IN-VIVO LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION IN PRESCHOOL , Jessah Marlee Hughes

DIRECTOR FOLLOW-UP OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT , Katherine Jordan

SUPPORTING CHILDREN’S EATING BEHAVIOR IN A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM , Olajumoke Leshi

Differential Effects of Criteria for Increasing Delay Intervals in Progressive Time Delay , Kai O'Neill

Group vs. Individual Video Modeling for Acquisition of Pilates for Individuals with Disabilities , Brittany Rounce

BUILDING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH STRUCTURED WORK SYSTEMS FOR STUDENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DISABILITIES , Maggie Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

EFFECTS OF VIDEO MODELING WITH VOICE-OVER NARRATION VERSUS NO VOICE-OVER NARRATION , Kennedy Carpenter

EVALUATING THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF USING A TECHNOLOGY-BASED ANTECEDENT INTERVENTION IN COMPARISON TO A TECHNOLOGY-BASED TREATMENT PACKAGE , Rachel Fosnaught

ESTABLISHING SELF-INSTRUCTION SKILLS BY TEACHING MANDS FOR INFORMATIONAL INQUIRIES WITH INTELLIGENT VOICE ASSISTANTS USING PROGRESSIVE TIME DELAY , Taylor Rae Kelley

Comparing the Efficacy of Interventions Derived from Concurrent Operant Analysis and Indirect Assessment , Lane Marquardt

Comparing Indirect Assessment Results to a Direct Function Focused Preference Assessment to Identify Potential Reinforcers to Increase Task Completion in a School Setting , Kailee Joy Matthews

Self-Advocacy Training for Students with Complex Communication Needs using Time Delay and Generative Learning , Alexis Rai Patterson

ASYNCHRONOUS E-TRAINING AND COACHING TO INDONESIAN PARENTS: NATURALISTIC STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SOCIAL-COMMUNICATION DELAYS , Ndaru Prapti

EVALUATING A RAPID COACHING INTERVENTION THAT INCLUDES INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION: TEACHING A PARENT NATURALISTIC STRATEGIES , Lauren Reiss

Effects of Peer Training on the Use of Aided Language Modeling and AAC User Communicative Acts , Shelby Smith Sheets

DISABILITY LABEL AND LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENTS: GENERAL ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS , Sara Sheffler

A Comparative Analysis of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Montessori Method , Emily Webb

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Coaching and Training Paraprofessionals to Implement Communication Strategies in the Classroom with Students with Disabilities , Andrea Grace Antoniewicz

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Home > Colleges and Schools > Education > Communication Disorders & Special Education > Early Childhood ETDs

Theses and Dissertations in Early Childhood Education

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Dissertation: Using Reciprocal Teaching Strategies to Improve Reading Comprehension For English as a Second Language Students With Learning Disabilities , Hana M. Almohamadi

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Dissertation: The Effects of Incorporating Interactive Questioning During Shared Electronic Book Reading on Preschoolers' Comprehension , Lynda Gail Salmon

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Dissertation: An Examination of Teachers' Writing Self-Efficacy, First-Grade Students' Attitudes and Self-Efficacy in Writing, and Students' Writing Behaviors , Julie Bridget Mary Dashiell

Dissertation: Recruiting, Engaging, and Retaining Low Income Parents in Community Parenting Programs: A Phenomenological Study , Jane Elyce Fuqua Glasgow

Dissertation: Using Interactive Reading Techniques with Word World to Enhance Emergent Literacy , James B. Godfrey

Dissertation: The Relationship of Mobility, Child Characteristics and School Characteristics to the Academic Achievement of Third Grade Students in a Predominantly Latino District , John Christopher Hicks

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Dissertation: How Counselors Are Trained to Work with Bisexual Clients in CACREP-Accredited Programs , Laurie Anne Bonjo

Dissertation: The Effect of Public Pre-Kindergarten Attendance on First Grade Reading and Social Achievement: A District Level Analysis , Michael James Haslip

Dissertation: Quality Profiles in Early Childhood: An Example From Virginia's Quality Rating Improvement System , Kathryn M. Squibb

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Dissertation: Kindergarten Teachers' Classroom Management Beliefs and Practices and Their Implications on Students' Social and Academic Outcomes , Lauren D. Florin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Dissertation: A Hierarchical Examination of the Immigrant Achievement Gap: The Additional Explanatory Power of Nationality and Educational Selectivity Over Traditional Explorations of Race and Socioeconomic Status , Kathryn A. Simms

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Dissertation: The Impact of The 101s: A Guide to Positive Discipline Teacher Training on Teacher Interaction Practices, Teacher-Child Relationship Quality, School Adjustment, and Academic Outcomes in Kindergarten Classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand , Panadda Thanasetkorn

Dissertation: The Impact of The 101s: A Guide to Positive Discipline Parent Training: A Case Study of Kindergarteners and Their Parents in Bangkok, Thailand , Piyavalee Thanasetkorn

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Dissertation: The Impact of the 101s: A Guide to Positive Discipline Training on Teacher Interaction Practices, Attitudes, and Prosocial Skill Outcomes in Preschool Classrooms , Marie Louise Talayco Masterson

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