Advances in Social Sciences and Management

Exploring the Teaching of Geometric and Spatial Reasoning in Early Childhood Education in Selected Primary Schools of Shibuyunji District of Zambia

Chingala Catherine, Ndhlovu B. Zanzini — Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The teaching methods and materials used in ECE classrooms have a profound impact on children’s engagement and understanding of spatial concepts. It is therefore essential for teachers to use diverse, developmentally appropriate strategies and make use of locally available resources to support learning (MOESVTEE, 2013; MOE, 2023). The acquisition of spatial reasoning and geometrical reasoning by learners is highly attributed to how teachers teach it. The study therefore explored the teaching of geometric and spatial reasoning at early childhood Education in selected primary schools of Shibuyunji district of Zambia. The Van Hiele’s level theory and Piaget’s developmental stages were the lens used to analyse the geometric and spatial reasoning of learners. The approach was qualitative and used descriptive research design. The sample size was seven ECE teachers who were selected purposively. Data was collected using semi structured interview guides, lesson observation and document analysis. Data was analysed thematically. Among the findings was that ECE teachers used a number of teaching methods and strategies such as tracing, drawing as well as exposing learners to real objects, practical activities and demonstrations. The study recommended that teachers should incorporate play into the methods that they use. Continuous Professional Development activities on the teaching of geometry using play should be conducted in order to enhance the in-depth knowledge on the topic to enable teachers teach it with confidence and use appropriate materials and methods.

Thinking, a Diverse and Inclusive Process: An Epistemological Look

Jose Manuel Salum Tome — Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Contemporary education has taken on the challenge of promoting different programs aimed at promoting inclusive teaching-learning processes that facilitate attention to diversity. It is evident that the integration of students with special needs in regular educational centers has caused significant changes in the curriculum, infrastructure and training among teachers. In the last ten years, educational inclusion has made significant progress, but much remains to be done to expand inclusive spaces.

Spiritual Leadership in Baul Folk Traditions: A Cross-Cultural Framework for Creative Organisations

Golam Rabbani — Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This article explores the intersection of spiritual leadership principles and the Baul folk tradition of Bangladesh, proposing a cross-cultural framework that benefits creative organisations in North America and beyond. Drawing upon established scholarship in spiritual leadership and on Baul studies, the discussion revolves around eight core themes—Emphasis on Meaning and Purpose, Values-Centred Leadership, Culture of Compassion, Promotion of Inner Well-Being, Empowerment Through Service, Shared Vision, Ethical Orientation, and Fostering Hope and Faith. Each theme is illustrated with original songs by Baul composers, including Baul Lalon Shah (1774-1890), Baul Duddu Shah (1841-1911), Baul Panju Shah (1851-1914), Baul Shahadat Karim, Baul Mokoddos Alam Udasin (1948-2022), Baul Abdur Rahman, Baul Khoda Box (1928-1990), and Baul Shah Abdul Karim (1916-2009). Although these compositions are rooted in the Baul folk tradition, this article demonstrates how they can be applied to leadership development in North American creative organisations. By outlining the Bauls’ guru–disciple model and by integrating my own ethnographic research with Baul communities, the article underscores how Baul spirituality resonates with modern calls for workplace compassion, purpose, and ethical consciousness.

Sustainability Thought 199: Green Markets or Dwarf Green Market Solutions: Pointing Out the Second Major Blunder in Terms of Development Thinking and Critical Environmental Problems Solving

Lucio Muñoz — Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The socio-environmental consequences created by the socio-environmentally distorted traditional market thinking since 1776 when the world endorsed and promoted Adam Smith’s ideas and dealing with them has led according to this author to three clear major development thinking blunders while the distortion problem remains active, one after the other: 1) First in 1987, the Brundtland Commission had a choice, to recommend a fix through sustainability market based solutions or to recommend a patch through sustainable development solutions to the critical socio-environmental problem created by the distorted market they were dealing with; and they chose a patch; 2) In 2012 Rio + 20, the Brundtland Commission on Sustainable Development had a choice, to implement an environmental fix through green market-based solutions or to recommend a patch through dwarf green market-based solutions to the critical environmental problem they were addressing created by distorted traditional market pricing; and they chose a patch; and 3) In 2023 the world had again a choice, to finally internalize socio-environmental externalities to fix the pollution production problem embedded in the linear traditional market and make it circular or to move from traditional linear pollution production markets to traditional circular pollution production markets assuming again socio-environmental price distortion neutrality, and hence, leaving the root cause of the pollution generation problem embedded in both linear and circular pollution production markets untouched; and they chose to go circular economy thinking as a pretend patch. Notice that the Brundtland Commission in 1987 found a socio-environmental pollution production problem associated with working of the traditional market, not an inefficient use of resources problem, and that the United Nations Commission on Sustainable development as well documented in 2012 an environmental pollution production problem associated with the traditional market, not an inefficient use of environmental resources, therefore, none of them found that the problem generating pollution embedded in the traditional market was an inefficient use of resources. Hence, all those development choices made since 1987 are all considered development thinking blunders because all those choices made to address critical sustainability problems violate the theory-practice consistency principle as they do not match the nature of the problem and as well as they violate the expectations of the Thomas Kuhn’s scientific paradigm evolution loop under academic integrity. This paper focuses on the second development thinking blunder, the choosing of dwarf green markets solutions over green markets solutions in 2012 to address a critical environmental sustainability problem.

When Art and the Humanities Enter a Hospital to Prevent and Control Infections: Innovative Perspectives from Nursing, Information Science and Public Health During COVID-19

Eleni Semertzidou — Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed unprecedented interdisciplinary collaborations in healthcare. This article explores the integration of art and the humanities—traditionally underutilized in infection prevention and control (IPC)—within hospital settings. Drawing upon literature from nursing, information science, and public health, we examine how artistic expression and narrative practices can support mental health, enhance staff resilience and foster innovative approaches to antimicrobial resistance. We argue that combining clinical expertise with arts-based interventions enriches health communication, community engagement, and sustainable behavioral change in healthcare environments.