scholarly journals Navigating the process of building parent-teacher partnerships: Experiences of early childhood pre-service teachers

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Rachel Boit
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Preschool Child ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological

This study utilized the qualitative phenomenological approach to explore pre -service teachers’ experiences in their engagement with parents of young children as they practiced building partnerships with parents. Pre-service teachers (N=50) were each assigned a preschool child with whom they interacted together with the child’s parents and teacher; completing a semester-long assignment created within a family, schools and community course for students in an early childhood teacher preparation program. Pre-service teachers’ responses to a survey and their final written reflections were analyzed using the process of axial and open coding. Results indicated the importance of communication and understanding different dynamics and challenges in parent-teacher partnerships. Therefore, educators should continuously strive to equip pre-service teachers with the skills they will need to succeed as they work with schools, the community and especially in their work with parents.

Advocacy in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation

2018 ◽  
pp. 88-113
Author(s):  
Cynthia F. DiCarlo ◽  
Carrie L. Ota
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preservice Education ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

Research suggests that teachers' definitions of advocacy are highly influenced by their academic preservice education, even more than their other experiences (Mevawalla & Hadley, 2012), leading to this being a critical focus for undergraduate pre-service teacher preparation (Snyder, 2012). Advocacy can be viewed by preservice teachers as a worthy, albeit intimidating, goal. This chapter describes a structured advocacy project in an undergraduate teacher preparation program. The project was broken down into component parts across the students' final semester and served as the capstone seminar for the teacher preparation program.

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.

Digital Technology in Kindergarten

2019 ◽  
pp. 1541-1560
Author(s):  
Vicki Schriever
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Parental Expectations ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Digital Devices

This chapter examines the literature surrounding digital technologies within kindergarten. It highlights the ways in which mobile devices and smart gadgets are used by early childhood teachers and young children in diverse teacher-focused and child-centred approaches. The challenges faced by early childhood teachers to successfully use and integrate mobile devices and smart gadgets within their kindergarten will be explored. These challenges include, meeting curriculum requirements, mediating parental expectations, seeing the potential of digital technologies, having the confidence and self-efficacy to use digital devices and determining the value and place of digital technologies within a play-based environment. Each of these challenges are explored within the chapter and the ways these challenges can be overcome are detailed. The opportunities which mobile devices and smart gadgets present to maximise young children's learning, play and engagement and which facilitate and support the role of the early childhood teacher will also be examined.

scholarly journals Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Perceptions of Family Priorities and Stressors

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ann Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Teacher Perceptions ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Family Stressors ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Family Partnerships

<p>Teachers of young children work closely with families. One component of teacher-family partnerships is teachers’ understanding of family priorities and stressors. This study examines Montessori early childhood (ages three through six) teacher perceptions of family priorities and stressors through an analysis of responses to two parallel surveys.  Eighty teachers (37% of those who received the survey) and forty-nine family members (representing a 55% response rate) completed the survey.  Significant differences were found between teachers’ perceptions of four (of seven) family priorities and families’ actual responses. Teachers ranked “making academic progress” as the most important of seven possible family priorities. However, families stated that “developing kindness” is the most important priority for their young children. No significant differences were found when comparing teacher rankings of family stressors with actual family responses. Montessori early childhood teachers ranked “not having enough time” as the most stressful of six possible stressors. Families confirmed that time pressures cause them the most stress. Maria Montessori’s recommendations for teachers and families are summarized. Recommendations for building stronger family partnerships in the context of Montessori’s philosophy, for example on-going self-reflection, are provided.</p><p>            <em>Keywords: Montessori, teacher-family partnerships, early childhood teacher perceptions</em></p>

Early Childhood Teacher Professional Development on Technologies for Young Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 102-126
Author(s):  
Lynn Hartle ◽  
Diane Bales ◽  
Katherine Gardner ◽  
Kelsey MacLeod ◽  
Megan DeFluri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Mandated Curriculum ◽  
Teacher Professional

Early childhood (EC) teachers need ongoing professional development (PD) to use information and communications technology (ICT) intentionally with young children. This chapter bridges the existing literature on PD best practices with additional interview data from EC teachers and higher education faculty. Three frames of influence on EC teachers' uses of ICT are discussed: personal – beliefs and comfort with technology; institutional – mandated curriculum, affordances of equipment, and ongoing personalized support; and societal – pervasive reliance on technology and influence on young children's future careers. The chapter concludes with PD recommendations for ICT that is content- and pedagogy-focused, based on research and policy, provides options for PD types and timing with follow up supports, and includes EC teachers in shared decision making for appropriate ICT practices in their classrooms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document