ERIC Number: EJ1232546
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
Early Childhood Educators' Perceptions of Nurturing Spirituality in Secular Settings
Mata-McMahon, Jennifer; Haslip, Michael J.; Schein, Deborah L.
Early Child Development and Care, v189 n14 p2233-2251 2019
In-service early childhood educators (n = 33) completed a survey describing their perceptions towards: (a) how educators draw on personal spirituality to support their role in the classroom, (b) what curricular activities, interactions or experiences educators believe relate to nourishing children's spirituality, (c) how the classroom environment or schedule may support children's spirituality, and (d) how school culture may be related to supporting children's spirituality. Findings suggest that educators believe opportunities for creative expression and free play, engagement with nature, contemplative practices (e.g. mindfulness), relationship building and moral/character development are related to nourishing children's spirituality. Expressions of personal spirituality for the surveyed educators include treating colleagues and children well, intentionally providing a good example for children, use of contemplative practices and connecting with nature. There was substantial overlap found between developmentally appropriate practice and the activities educators reported as nurturing a child's spirit. Findings suggest that discussing the spiritual nature of child development may help educators protect and enhance high-quality early learning environments in secular settings.
Descriptors: Spiritual Development, Teacher Role, Curriculum, Teaching Methods, Classroom Environment, School Schedules, School Culture, Moral Values, Interpersonal Relationship, Values Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Teachers, Play, Natural Resources, Metacognition, Social Development, Emotional Development, Religion, Creative Activities, Reggio Emilia Approach
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A