How teachers' perceptions of the parent–teacher relationship affect children's risk for early childhood expulsion

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-88
Author(s):  
Courtney A. Zulauf‐McCurdy ◽  
Katherine M. Zinsser
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Alicia Cooper Stapp ◽  
Gerogianna Mann ◽  
Laurel Lambert ◽  
Kenya Wolff

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.


Author(s):  
Anne Soini ◽  
Anthony Watt ◽  
Arja Sääkslahti

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol VI (II) ◽  
pp. 180-190
Author(s):  
Mahnoor Arshad ◽  
Yaar Muhammad ◽  
Naima Qureshi

Parent-teacher meetings (PTM) play an integral role in a child's education. The importance of PTM is even more critical for Early childhood Education (ECE). ECE is not a novice concept in Pakistan; however, parents have only realized now that learning during early childhood goes beyond the walls of the classrooms and can only realize its full potential if parents are actively participating in their children's education. Therefore, PTM is the time when parents and teachers can collaborate to work for the education of the children. The current study explores the prospective teachers' perceptions of PTMs and their influence on ECE students' performance. The data were gathered from seven participants through an open-ended, semi-structured interview guide. The analysis concluded that prospective teachers had a good understanding of PTMs processes and generally had a positive attitude toward them. Prospective teachers also believed that PTMs positively influence students' academic performance.


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