ERIC Number: EJ1368890
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1034-912X
EISSN: EISSN-1465-346X
Available Date: N/A
Preschool Children's Attitudes towards Their Peers with Special Needs
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, v69 n6 p1963-1973 2022
This study explores children's attitudes towards their peers with special needs (SN) at a preschool level. A total of 151 children were examined using the "Acceptance Scale for Kindergarteners -- Revised" and social demographic questionnaires to collect information from parents and educators. The research included preschool children (5 years old) attending private preschools in a city of Portugal- Leiria-as well as their corresponding parents and educators. Further, 10 classrooms within preschools participated in the study, with a sample of 151 children, 149 parents, and 14 educators. Internal consistency was calculated, and the Cronbach's [alpha] coefficient for the complete scale was 0.688. Results revealed that the average score associated with children's attitudes was 18.78 (DP = 5.88). Children have more positive attitudes if they are in contact with peers with special needs regardless of the location (p < 0.05). Although children who have contact with peers with special needs in classroom have positive attitudes (p < 0.01) those who have contact in the preschool (outside classroom) have much more (p < 0.01). The results of this study provide insights into children's attitudes and reveal that closer contact with children with special needs benefits peer attitudes.
Descriptors: Childrens Attitudes, Peer Relationship, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Students with Disabilities, Preschool Children, Preschool Education, Private Schools, Environmental Influences, Foreign Countries, Inclusion, Kindergarten
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A