Language and literacy supports in early childhood classrooms: comparing ratings of teachers and observers

A number of early literacy skills, including oral language skills, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and print knowledge, have been identified as precursor skills to later literacy skills and outcomes. Previous research has documented that many early childhood educators lack adequate knowledge and skills to implement practices necessary to foster emergent language and literacy development. This research was conducted to examine early childhood educators’ awareness of their classroom practices supporting language and literacy skills. A 48-item self-rating survey was created based upon dimensions measured by a widely used reliable and valid observation tool. The observation tool was used in 34 teachers’ classrooms from 14 childcare centers. Observer ratings were then compared to teacher self-ratings. Significant differences existed between observer scores and participants’ self-rating scores on the Language and Literacy subscale with large discrepancies in areas related to phonological awareness implementation, promoting vocabulary, consistently guiding the use of books for meaningful purposes, supporting children’s emergent writing skills, and providing an appropriate writing environment. There were no significant correlations between observers’ and teachers’ ratings. Findings have important implications for further research to examine early childhood educators’ awareness of their teaching practices and classroom environment in the areas of language and literacy. The value of teachers knowing areas in which they can improve is that they will be able to seek appropriate resources and help in those specific areas of need.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Polk, Kayla

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ryan, Amye
• Ross, David F.; Biderman, Michael D.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Literacy
• Literacy programs
• Reading (Elementary)
• Reading (Preschool)

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/95

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1093