Preschool Teachers Communicating Values to Children

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Shifting Developmental Paradigms: The Sociorelational Lives of Young Children

Abstract

This empirical study aims to find if and how preschool teachers communicate values they consider important for children to learn in preschool. Values are understood as desirable principles that guide human actions. Theoretically, the study draws on a sociocultural perspective and Habermas’ theory of communicative action. The data consists of approximately 17 hours of video observations of communication between preschool teachers and children. Two episodes were chosen for further analysis and in-depth discussion. The preschool teachers used different approaches to communicate values, depending on their professional and personal backgrounds. Values were communicated implicitly rather than explicitly. The study contributes to research on values education in the ECE and gives reasons for reflection on the practices of preschool teachers.

Authors

• Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir, University of Iceland

• Pia Cathrine Williams, Goteborg University

• Johanna Einarsdottir, University of Iceland