scholarly journals Holistic or Traditional Conceptions of Heritage among Early-Childhood and Primary Trainee Teachers

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8921
Author(s):  
Juan Ramón Moreno-Vera ◽  
Santiago Ponsoda-López de Atalaya ◽  
José Antonio López-Fernández ◽  
Rubén Blanes-Mora
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Educational Resource ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Traditional Conception ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Trainee Teachers ◽  
Primary Classrooms ◽  
Holistic Conception ◽  
Popular Festivals

This study examines the conception of heritage—holistic or traditional—among future early-childhood and primary teachers. In order to do this, our objective was to analyze trainee teachers’ perceptions surrounding the conception of heritage. To carry out the analysis, we designed and validated a questionnaire with closed-ended questions (Likert scale 1–5) and one open-ended question about the elements that respondents considered to be part of what we define as heritage. The participants (n = 602) study at the universities of Alicante, Murcia, and Córdoba, and the investigation took place during 2018/19 and 2019/20 academic years. The results show a traditional conception that is still attached to immovable monumental heritage, with lower scores for intangible and natural heritage. However, there were some high scores for traditions and popular festivals, which are a frequent educational resource in early-childhood and primary classrooms. In conclusion, this non-holistic conception of heritage could be changed if an active and varied use of heritage resources were introduced from the early stages of education.

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 Finnish Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Perceived Competence in Early Childhood Physical Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6454
Author(s):  
Anne Soini ◽  
Anthony Watt ◽  
Arja Sääkslahti
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Childhood Education

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers have a central role in supporting young children’s physical activity (PA) and overall development in the early years. However, the value of early childhood education teacher training (ECETT) programmes is not widely understood. This study aimed to investigate pre-service teachers’ perceptions of perceived competence when (1) supporting a child’s PA, (2) teaching PE, and (3) observing and assessing a child’s motor skills and PA. These self-evaluations were compared with a range of individual, educational, and behavioural characteristics. Final-year Bachelor degree pre-service teachers (n = 274; 54%) from seven universities in Finland participated in the self-report questionnaire. The results of the linear regression models showed that the relevant PE studies and previous experiences of pre-service teachers predicted higher perceived competence of supporting a child’s PA, teaching PE, and observing and assessing a child’s motor skills and PA. Thus, the study findings demonstrated how teacher training could positively influence perceptions and attitudes to increase a person’s perceived competence when implementing PE in the early years. Overall, results reinforce the importance of PE in ECETT, and the time devoted to this syllabus area should be maintained or increased.

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