A Qualitative Study of Early Childhood Educators' Beliefs About Key Preschool Classroom Experiences

33 Pages Posted: 27 Jan 2009

See all articles by Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo

Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Allison Sidle Fuligni

California State University, Los Angeles

Lindsay Daugherty

RAND Corporation

Carollee Howes

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

Lynn A. Karoly

RAND Corporation - Santa Monica CA Offices

Date Written: January 26, 2009

Abstract

To learn about early educators' belief systems about the types of learning experience children should have in preschool prior to entering school, the authors conducted 11 focus group interviews with 75 early childhood educators from three learning settings: private center-based programs, public center-based programs, and family child care centers. Results from the qualitative data analyses showed that participants believe that when working with preschool-age children who will be entering kindergarten that the following dimensions should be considered: (1) the type of teacher-child interactions offered in the preschool setting, (2) what children's learning environment should consist of, and (3) the kinds of learning opportunities teachers offer. Each of these dimensions was made up of several factors. Although educators from all three types of early education programs mentioned these dimensions, the authors found variation within the factors that make up each dimension with differences between and within center type.

Keywords: early childhood educators, teacher beliefs, early childhood education, belief systems, child care

Suggested Citation

Lara-Cinisomo, Sandraluz and Fuligni, Allison Sidle and Daugherty, Lindsay and Howes, Carollee and Karoly, Lynn A., A Qualitative Study of Early Childhood Educators' Beliefs About Key Preschool Classroom Experiences (January 26, 2009). RAND Working Paper No. WR- 656, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1333307 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1333307

Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Allison Sidle Fuligni

California State University, Los Angeles ( email )

5151 State University Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90032
United States

Lindsay Daugherty

RAND Corporation ( email )

1776 Main Street
P.O. Box 2138
Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
United States

Carollee Howes

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Graduate School of Education and Information Studies ( email )

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520
United States

Lynn A. Karoly (Contact Author)

RAND Corporation - Santa Monica CA Offices ( email )

P.O. Box 2138
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
United States

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