ERIC Number: EJ1426018
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Jun
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1836-9391
EISSN: EISSN-0312-5033
Educators' Perspectives on the Role the Early Childhood Education and Care Environment Plays in Supporting Children's Social and Emotional Development
Andrea Tamblyn; Yihan Sun; Angela North; Nicci Godsman; Crystal Boothby; Helen Skouteris; Claire Blewitt
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, v49 n2 p140-154 2024
This study explored educators' perspectives on the role the physical and sensory Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) environment plays in supporting children's social and emotional development. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted, in August 2022, at two ECEC sites in Victoria, Australia. Data were thematically analysed and key findings suggest children engage and interact with their environment to facilitate opportunities for social interactions and emotional regulation. Environmental stimuli can have a positive and negative influence on children's social and emotional competence. Educators reported lack of resources, building design, and limited staffing were barriers to using the environment. Reflective practice, collaboration within teams and services, and access to resources strengthened the use of the environment in everyday practice. Optimal environments rely on educator reflections and responsivity to adapt the environment to the needs of the children utilising the space.
Descriptors: Teacher Attitudes, Early Childhood Education, Preschool Teachers, Child Care, Social Emotional Learning, Building Design, Self Control, Barriers, Reflective Teaching, Teacher Collaboration, Educational Environment, Space Utilization, Foreign Countries, Sensory Experience, Physical Environment, Child Development
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A