The role of practitioners in early childhood development centres in shaping behaviour of children
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Early childhood centres play a profound role in shaping the behaviour of children. Research
indicates that early childhood centres contribute to the holistic development of children,
encompassing their motor, congnitive and behavioural skills. Research has further shown that the
South African authorities have an early childhood policy which spans various aspects of childhood
development. To establish the nexus between early childhood centres and the behaviour of
children, this study explored the role of practitioners in early childhood development centres in
shaping the behaviour of children. The study uses the Ecological Systems Theory to interrogate its
tenets of the theory and the research findings. The study engaged a qualitative approach to explore
this phenomenon. Semi-structured interviews, field notes and observations were used to obtain
data from parents, principals and practitioners at early childhood centres. Data was analysed
thematically and as such, three main themes emerged from the research: the behaviour of children
in early childhood development centres; practitioners' perceptions of their own roles in early
childhood development centres; and the attitudes of practitioners towards their roles in early
development centres.
Description
Magister Artium - MA (Child and Family Studies)
Keywords
Children, Behaviour, Parent, Early childhood development, Early childhood development practitioner, Early childhood development centre, Role, Ecological systems theory