‘Unpacking our thinking in front of each other’: A case study in knowledge flow within an early childhood teaching team

2021 ◽  
pp. 183693912110103
Author(s):  
Andrew Gibbons ◽  
Sue Stover ◽  
Kiri Gould ◽  
Sandy Farquhar ◽  
Marek Tesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Early Childhood Curriculum ◽  
Dynamic View ◽  
Teaching Team

The complex and fluid nature of knowledge is a key dimension of the early childhood curriculum and of early childhood teaching and learning. Such complexity adds to the already complex and dynamic work of an early childhood teacher. With a dynamic view of knowledge in mind, this article reports on research with a team of early childhood teachers to explore the ways in which knowledge is experienced for the teaching team. We explore formulations and debates on knowledge that engage with the complexity of knowledge relationships in an early childhood teaching team. The data provides an insight into the importance of leadership and interpersonal relationships in determining how knowledge moves within the ecology of a teaching team. The benefits of critical dialogue are explored in terms of supporting the work, and well-being, of early childhood teachers and teaching teams.

scholarly journals Early Childhood Teacher Professionalism Based on Academic Qualifications and Work Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1655-1666
Author(s):  
Syafrimen Syafril ◽  
Devi Kurniawati ◽  
Agus Jatmiko ◽  
Ida Fiteriani ◽  
Cahniyo Wijaya Kuswanto
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Teacher Professionalism ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Explanatory Mixed Methods ◽  
Academic Qualifications

This study aims to analyze the professionalism of early childhood teachers in mastering the material based on academic qualifications and work experience. The approach to research sequential explanatory mixed methods design; The first phase using descriptive quantitative involving 57 teachers, data were collected through a questionnaire, analyzed descriptively and inferentially assisted by SPSS version 26.0. The second phase used a holistic multi-case study involving six school principals, data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysis documents, analyzed interactively with the assistance of Nvivo 12.0. The results showed that there was no difference in teacher professionalism based on academic qualifications and work experience. The second phase finds; teacher professionalism is not only influenced by academic qualifications and work experience, teacher professionalism is also influenced by various professional trainings that have been attended, and prospective teachers who choose the early childhood education programs major do not fully understand the substance of the lecture program related to their professionalism.

Growing Healthy Minds, Bodies, and Communities: Early childhood teachers’ perceptions of a nutrition-integrated pilot curriculum

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Alicia Cooper Stapp ◽  
Gerogianna Mann ◽  
Laurel Lambert ◽  
Kenya Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Learning Collaborative ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Hands On Learning ◽  
Flexible Schedule

Abstract Objective: Healthy eating behaviors are often developed early in life, yet nutrition is rarely emphasized in early childhood education. Integration of nutrition into academic content is warranted, still, its ability to positively impact teaching and learning has been understudied. Therefore, this study explored the feasibility of application in the classroom and the perceived usability of a nutrition-integrated pilot curriculum. Design: Early childhood teachers’ perceptions of four nutrition-integrated lessons were explored through a qualitative research approach. Data were collected through pre- and post-focus groups, lesson observations, and teacher feedback. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and supplemented with observations and lesson feedback. Setting: This pilot study took place in Northwest Mississippi at three preschools which are part of the Mississippi Early Learning Collaborative. Participants: A non-probability convenience sample was utilized to acquire participants. Ten early childhood teachers and 132 Pre-K4 students participated in the study. Results: Three themes emerged and were categorized accordingly: (a) preconceived concern of the unknown versus experienced reality; (b) promoting buy-in and engagement through hands-on learning experiences; and (c) manifestation of perceived prioritization. Conclusions: Nutrition-integrated lessons were reported to be creative, facilitate positive food behaviors, and highly engaging for teachers and children. Concerns for new and unfamiliar curriculum were noted but could be alleviated with more detailed instructions. Future nutrition-integrated curriculum efforts should include detailed video instructions and offer a gradual and flexible schedule allowing teacher autonomy in how to prioritize implementation.

scholarly journals Inquiry on early childhood teachers preparation and retention

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
Krystyna Nowak-Fabrykowski ◽  
Mary Lou Aylor
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher

The purpose of this study is to analyze early childhood teacher preparation and investigate the factors that motivated individuals to become early childhood teachers and that have kept them in the profession. This study reports the results of an online survey investigating motives of staying or leaving the early childhood profession. The results of this inquiry point to factors that influenced their choice, taking into consideration their professional preparation. Advice for new early childhood educators just entering the profession is also provided.

Confronting the Contradictions: A Case Study of Early Childhood Teacher Development in Neoliberal Times

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Early Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Instrumental Case Study ◽  
The Impact

As neoliberal polices that emphasize governing the modern state through market-based principles expand across the globe, they are altering the training of early childhood teacher candidates. This creates a range of challenges for those teacher educators who are critical of this reform process. This article presents an instrumental case study that examined the impact of neoliberal education reforms on the development of a sample of early education teacher candidates. Analyzing this case of teacher development offers teacher educators the opportunity to consider the practical and critical steps they might take to better prepare their candidates for these reforms. Doing so will help teacher candidates develop early learning experiences for their children that teach them to become engaged democratic citizens rather than compliant consumers within the neoliberal state.

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