The quality of teaching and learning ecology is a critical ingredient into the cognitive development of children particularly in the early years of learning. This book gives the findings of a study on the impact of preschool human and material classroom environment in the cognitive development of preschool children. The study was undertaken in community-based preschools in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar). Using an adapted version of Early Childhood Rating Scale(ECERS-R and ECERS-E),Teacher-Child Interaction Scale (TCIS)and a teacher pedagogical belief scale(TPBS) it was found that the kind of preschool programme,the quality of teacher-child interaction and the interactive material environment are significant predictors of children cognitive and academic achievement. Cognitive development was tested using an adapted British Ability Scale and a curriculum-based test developed by the researcher. It is recommended among other things that the Governments and communities in East...