Nurturing Engaged Citizenship in Kindergarten: An Exploration of Teacher Beliefs and Practices

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Beliefs, Practices, and Preparation for Civic Learning (Table 8)

Abstract

This study explores how kindergarten teachers foster civic engagement in young learners as part of a larger multi-case study on civic education in kindergarten classrooms serving low-income students in the Southeastern U.S. Five teachers were interviewed using video-elicitation techniques, which involve using video clips to prompt discussion and reflection. Findings indicate that teachers educate for civic engagement within the personally responsible and participatory paradigms of good citizenship (Westheimer & Kahne, 2004). They teach rules, foster community, develop communication skills, and provide children with limited opportunities for decision-making. However, these efforts face obstacles such as insufficient instructional time, challenges in addressing students' emotional needs, and making authentic home-school connections that offer meaningful application of concepts to the community.

Authors

• Daria Smirnova, University of South Florida

• Ilene R. Berson, University of South Florida

• Michael J. Berson, University of South Florida