Teaching with Compassion

Refereed Publications  (2009 – present)

Harris, K. (2019, May 25). Fred Rogers and children's spirituality: Valuing the uniqueness of others and caring for others. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 24(20, 140-154.

Harris, K. (2019). Using peer-shared intervention strategies for promoting math explorations and critical thinking in early childhood inclusive classrooms. International Journal of Contemporary Education, 2(10, 33-42.

Harris, K. (2018). Play diplomats as intervention agents: Peers promoting friendships and social skills. Play Policy, and Practice Connections, november 2019, NAEYC Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum, 2-6.

Harris, K. (2018). Preservice early childhood educators' metaphors for teaching: International , enriching, and reflective. Young Children, 73(4), 84-88.

Harris, K. (2018). Personae of the spiritual child: Taking pictures of the heart using technology and tablets. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 23(3), 291-305.

Harris, K. (2018). Nuturing spiritual intelligence for young children: Awakening play, wonder, and imagination. Play, Policy, and Practice Connections, May 2018, NAEYC Play, Policy, Practice Interest Forum, 5-9. 

Harris, K. (2017). Spiritual care for ill children: A facet of holistic healing. Focus; Association of Child Professionals Bulletin,35(4), 22-31.

Harris, K. (2017). Once upon a time, there was a rainbow dinosaur: Promoting early literacy skills using iPads and dialogic reading. International Journal of Holistic Early Learning and Development, 4, 18-34.

Harris, K., Kinley, H. L., & Cook, A. (2017). Promoting Alphabet knowledge using peer-mediated intervention: A dynamic dou for early literacy development. Young Exceptional Children, 20(2), 55-68.

Harris, K. (2017). A teacher's journey to mindfulness: Opportunities for joy, hope, and compassion. Childhood Education, 93(2), 119-127.

Harris, K. (2017). Hands on! Promoting sensory activities. Teaching Young Children, 10(3), 13-15.

Harris, K. & Sholtis, S. (2016). Companion Angels on a leash: Welcoming service dogs into classroom communities for children with autism. Childhood Education, 92(4), 263-275.

Harris, K. (2016). Let's play at the park! Family pathways promoting spiritual resources to inspire nature, pretend play, storytelling, intergenerational play and celebrations. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 21(2), 90-103 doi:10.1080/1364436X.2016.1164669.

Harris, K. (2016). Heros of resiliency and reciprocity: Teachers' supporting roles for reconceptualizing superhero play in early childhood settings. Pastoral Care in Education. doi:10.1080/02643944.2016.1154093.

Harris, K. (2016). Social studies investigations for young children: Passports to inquiry, community and partnerships. Social Studies Research and Practice. 10(3), 88-97.

Harris, K. (2016). Supporting executive function skills in early childhood: Using a peer buddy approach for community, confidence, and citizenship. Journal of Education and Training, 3(1), 158-175.

Harris, K. (2015). Children's spirituality and inclusion: Strengthening a child's spirit with community, resiliency and joy. International Journal of Children's Spirituality. 20(3-4), 161-177.

Harris, K. (2015). Developmental universal practice: Visioning innovative early children pedagogy for meeting the needs of diverse learners. Early Child Development and Care, 185(11-12), 1880-1893.

Harris, K. (2015). The unexpected journey shared by families: Using literature to support and understand families raising a child with disabilities. Early Childhood Education. 43(6), 473-484.

Harris, K. (2015). Peer play dates: Making friends and facilitating prosocial skills. Childhood Education, Family Connections. 91(3), 223-226.

Harris, K. (2015). Rituals for children with autism: Supporting a child's spiritual domain. Autism Spectrum Quarterly. Spring 2015, 10-14.

Harris, K. (2014). Embracing make believe play and theories of early childhood:  Understanding children’s spirituality and the spiritual essence of a young child. Journal of Integrative Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine, 1(1), 12‒21.

Harris, K. (2013). "Teacher, I Have a Dream!" Sharing Moments of Spiritual Transformation with Young Children Using Project-Based Learning. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 18(3), 281-293.

Harris, K., Pretti-Frontczak, K., & Brown, T. (2009). Peer-mediated intervention: Implementing research-based practices within developmentally appropriate learning environments. Young Children, 64(2), 43-49.

Invited Chapters

Harris, K. (2018). Development universal practice: Visioning innovative early childhood pedagogy for meeting the needs of diverse learns, In J. Murray (Ed.), Early childhood pedagogies: Creating spaces for young children to flourish. New York, NY: Routledge.

Harris, K. (2016). Spiritual development. In D. L. Couchenour, K. Chrisman (Eds.), Sage encyclopedia of contemporary early childhood education. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

International Refereed Presentations (2009 – present)

Harris, K. (2019, March). Creating pictures of the heart for young children: iPads as empowering tools for complative practices and storyography. Presentation at the 30th annual International Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Harris, K. (2018, February). Home visits: Opportunities for early interventionists to adopt the role as a change agent for promoting and supporting family-centered care for young children with disabilities. A poster presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Special Education Convention & Expo International Conference, Tampa, Florida.

Harris, K. (2018, February). Superhero play: Creating opportunities for children with autism to develop positive social skills and emotional reciprocity as superhero friends! A poster presented at the annual Council for Exceptional Children Special Education Convention & Expo International Conference, Tampa, Florida.

Harris K. (2017, April). Contemplation practices in inclusive childhood classrooms: Focusing well-being in young children early childhood special education educators. A poster presented at the annual Council for Exceptional Children Special Education Convention & Expo International Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.

Harris, K. (2017, April). The power of peers as intervention agents: Peer-mediated intervention for promoting play, friendships, and social skills for all young children. A poster presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Special Education Convention & Expo International Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.

Harris, K. (2016, October). Mindful reflective practices: A process inspiring visionary leaders for early intervention. A poster to be presented at the annual Division for Early Childhood International Conference on young children with special needs and their families, Louisville, Kentucky.

Harris, K. (2016, October). Constructing and implementing floor time for meaningful play intellectual emotional growth. A poster to be presented at the annual Division for Early Childhood International Conference on young children with special needs and their families, Louisville, Kentucky.

Harris, K. (2014, October). I see every child belonging: Teachers attitudes towards disabilities awakened through literature. A poster presented at the annual DEC International Conference on young children with special needs and their families, St. Louis, Missouri.

Harris, K. (2012, March). Lessons from the Sandbox: Promoting Play, Spiritual Friendships, and Peace Education. A presentation at the Annual Global Summit on Childhood, Association for Childhood Education International, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K. (2011, November). Effects of Peer-Mediated Interventions in Promoting Social Skills for Children with Disabilities. A poster presented at the Annual DEC International Conference on young children with special needs and their families, National Harbor, Maryland.

Harris, K., & Tarni, B. (2011, November). Constructing and Implementing Social Stories for Young Children with ASD. A presentation at the Annual DEC International Conference on young children with special needs and their families, National Harbor, Maryland.

Harris, K., Grisham-Brown, J., Hawkins S., Pfeiffer-Fiala, C., & Robbins, S. (2010, October), Implementing Tiered Instruction: Universal, Targeted, and International Strategies. Pre-conference Workshop at the Annual DEC International conference on young children with special needs and their families, Kansas City, Missouri. 

National Refereed Presentations (2009 – present)

Harris, K. (November, 2019). Parentingwith spirit: Supporting children's spiritual development and nurturing parental engagement. Presentation at the annual 2019 National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Nashville, Tennessee.

Harris, K. (2019, April). Promoting spiritual moments and social justice in early childhood education: Teaching : "Tender Spiritual Topics" using children's literature. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Harris, K. (2018, November). The heartbeat and flow of teaching: Leading with passion, and connecting with collaboration! Pre-conference presentation at the annual 2018 National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K., & Manfredi/Petitt, L. (2018, November). Tender toddler moments that support spiritual growth in developmentally appropriate ways: Using music, children's literature, rituals, predictable nuturing routines, and following children's particular interests and needs and more!  Presentation at the annual 2018 National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K. (2018, April). Spirituality as a transformational dimension of family life: Using literature for supporting families' spiritual needs. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, New York City, New York.

Harris, K. (2018, April). Nurturing the vision of human wholeness: Using contemplative photography for seeing with wonder and curiosity, Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting

Harris, K. (2017, November). Community, friendships, and fantasy: Envisioning resiliency and reciprocity in superhero play for young children.  Pre-conference presentation at the annual 2017 National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.

Harris, K. (2017, November). Pictures of the heart: Seeking wonder and capturing nature through contemplative photography and the Mosaic Approach. Presentation at the annual 2017 National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.

Harris, K. (2016, June). Developing intentional dispositions to teach with passion and welcome all young children into a fully inclusive society by using literature to support all families. Presentation at the annual 2016 National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, Baltimore, Maryland.

Harris, K. (2016, June). Leadership speed date: Learn how you can be an NAEYC leader. Panel presentation at the annual 2016 National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, Baltimore, Maryland.

Harris, K. (2016, April), Mindful reflections: Promoting holistic thinking in educators for conceptualizing and teaching the whole child. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K. (2016, April), Embracing superhero play in early childhood settings: Envisioning teachable moments of resiliency and reciprocity. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Harris K. (2015, November). Investigating our marvelous beyond the early childhood classroom: Promoting, engaging and creative social studies activities for tomorrow's citizens! A pre-conference at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Orlando, Florida.

Harris K., Schion, D., Surr, J., & Manfredi/Petitt, L. (2015, November). Benefits and presence of spirituality and spiritual development in high quality early childhood education. Presentation at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Orlando, Florida.

Harris, K. (2015, November). Teaching like social scientists: Exploring relational pedagogy for young citizens. A poster session presented at the 95th Annual Conference of the National Council for the Social Studies. New Orleans, Louisianna.

Harris, K. (2015, April). Investigating Reggio Emilia and young children's voices and perspectives using the mosaic approach in early childhood inclusive programs. Presentation at the 12th Annual Young Child Expo and Conference, New York, New York.

Harris, K. (2015, April). Reclaiming a young child's voice: Building holistic relationship celebrating community for children with autism using classroom rituals. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

Harris, K. (2015, April). Portraits of early success: Using a citizen rubric for developing democratic young citizens in society. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

Harris, K., & Seybert, J. (2015, April). Music and communication in early childhood: Learnig enculturation, and the classroom ecology. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

Schein, D., Bailie, P., & Harris, K. (2014, November). Nurturing young children's spiritual development through nature. Presentation at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children, Dallas, Texas.

Harris, K. (2014, May). Play Using Projects: Strategies to Facilitate Innovative Play Dates and Promote Peer Social Interactions in Child Life Programs. Presentation at the 32^nd Annual Conference on Professional Issues, Child Life Council, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harris, K. (2014, May). Creating Spiritually-Rich Environments in Child Life Programs for Uplifting a Child’s Spiritual Domain. Presentation at the 32^nd Annual Conference on Professional Issues, Child Life Council, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harris, K. (2014, April). Peer-Mediated Interventions: Promoting Executive Function Strategies and Peer Social Interactions in Early Childhood Inclusive Settings. Presentation at the 11thAnnual Young Child Expo and Conference, New York City, New York.

Harris, K. (2014, April). Nurturing the Hearts and Souls of All Young Children: Using Peer-Mediated Interventions to Support Children’s Spirituality as Being Directive and Transformational for Children with Disabilities. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Harris, K. (2014, March). Staying Connected!  Promoting Citizenship and Social Skills Using Digital Social Stories for Play, Friendships, and Learning. Presentation at the Annual Conference of the American Council on Rural Special Education, Tucson, Arizona.

Harris, K., Schein, D., Davisson, S., & Manfredi-Petitt, L. (2013, November). Children's Literature: Providing an "Open Window" to Spiritual Moments in Early Childhood. Presentation at the Annual National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Washington, D.C.

Stutz, D. J., Harris, K., Schein, D., & Lipshn, I. (2013, November). Honoring the Teaching Dispositions in All of Us: Discovering How Teacher's Dispositions Connect to the Spiritual Development of Young Children. Pre-conference at the Annual National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K. (2013, April). Embracing Peer-Relational Spirituality for Transforming Classrooms, Building Resilience, and Ending Press-downed Patterns of Poverty. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, California.

Harris, K. (2013, April). Once Upon a Time: Engaging Young Children's Minds Using Mobile Technology and Storytelling. Presentation at the 2013 Early Education and Technology for Children (EETC) Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harris, K. (2013, April). Through the Eyes of a Child: A Day in the Life of an iPad. Presentation at the 2013 Early Education and Technology for Children (EETC) Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harris, K., & Pfeiffer-Fiala, C. (2012, November). Nurturing Intervention Agents:  How Social Stories Encourage Participation, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration Among All Young Children. Pre-conference at the Annual National Association for the Education of Young Children, Atlanta, Georgia.

Schein, D., Manfredi-Petitt, L., Harris, K., & Surr, J. (2012, November). Looking at Spirituality from an Early Childhood Perspective. Presentation at the Annual National Association for the Education of Young Children, Atlanta, Georgia.

Harris, K., & Pfeiffer-Fiala, C. (2011, November). Play and Relationships: Using Evidence-based Peer-Interactions, Interventions, Classroom activities, and Environmental strategies as Opportunities to Support Learning and Friendships. Pre-conference at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children conference, Orlando, Florida.

Harris, K. (2011, November). The Essence of a Child's Spirit for Creating Supportive Relationships: Play and Peer-Relational Spirituality. Presentation at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children conference, Orlando, Florida.

Harris, K., Curry, B., & Somerville, B. (2011, November). Play and Relationships: Using Evidence-Based, Peer-Interactions, Interventions, Classroom Activities, and Environmental Strategies as Opportunities to Support Learning and Friendships. Pre-conference at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children conference, Orlando, Florida.

Harris, K., & Pfeiffer-Fiala, C. (2011, June). Implementing Tiered Instruction: Universal, Targeted, and Intentional Strategies. Presentation at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, Providence, Rhode Island.

Harris, K. (2011, April). Implications for All Young Children: A Spiritual Curriculum Embracing Peer-Relational Spirituality. A paper presented at the Annual American educational Research Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harris, K., Curry, B., & Sommerville, B. (2010, November). Success for all young children:  Promoting friendships in early childhood programs through peer buddy systems. Presentation at the annual Nation Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Anaheim, California. 

Harris, K., Chapman, B., & Sommerville, B. (2009, November). Playing, Learning and Creative Friendships: Using peer-mediated intervention to promote positive and supportive social relationships among young children. Presentation at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children conference, Washington, D.C.

Harris, K. (2009, June). Spirituality in young children. Presentation at the annual Mennonite Church USA Convention, Columbus, Ohio.

Additional presentations can be

found on the next page.