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ERIC Number: EJ1457870
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jan
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-3301
EISSN: EISSN-1573-1707
Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Movement Opportunities in Toddler Education: Perceptions of Early Childhood Educators and Student Teachers
Vladimir E. Martínez-Bello; Herminia Vega-Perona; Paula Robles-Galán; Patricia Segura-Martínez; María del Mar Bernabé-Villodre
Early Childhood Education Journal, v53 n1 p161-174 2025
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions are considered contexts wherein physical activity (PA) can be effectively promoted. Some approaches have been used in the early childhood setting to identify how teachers incorporate movement opportunities into the ECEC curriculum. However, studies are still scarce regarding pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of structured and non-structured movement possibilities in toddler education (1-3 years old). Taking into account that working with toddlers requires specific training and sensitivity, the aim of the study was to assess ECEC educators' and student teachers' perceptions of what they know, how they transmit it, what kind of curricular practices they execute, and the didactic implications of movement opportunities in toddler education. This was an exploratory qualitative research study, in which open-ended, semi-structured qualitative interviews, plus qualitative content analysis of a written questionnaire, were conducted with 14 educators and 20 student teachers. Our results show that educators and students distinguish PCK in the different curricular practices related to movement, identifying differences between structured PA opportunities and free play opportunities. Educators and student teachers identified different sources of knowledge, barriers, and facilitators of structured movement opportunities in the ECEC toddler context, and they recognized that PA is important to young children's development; however, little knowledge of PA guidelines to promote it was evident. Our findings contribute to understanding educators' perceptions regarding movement as a curricular practice for children aged 1 to 3 years. Educators and public administration could find structured PA to be a complement to a harmonious development from a young age.
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain (Valencia)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A