Parent/teacher views of developmentally appropriate practices: A Hungarian perspective

Abstract

The purpose ofthe study was to explore the beliefs ofHungarian teachers and parents of children in preschool and Grade 1 as they relate to the construct ofdevelopmentally appropriate practices (DAP) identified by the National Association for the Education ofYoung Children (NAEYC,1987(NAEYC, ,1997. In order to overcome methodological problems inherent in many previous DAP studies, Q-methodology and interviews were utilized to collect, analyze and interpret the data. Fourteen teachers and 14 parents were included in the Q-methodology (7 teachers and 7 parents in each grade level). Follow-up interviews were conducted with 6 participants. Results ofthe study suggest three major viewpoints regarding DAP beliefs ofthe Hungarian participants. These included: (1) focusing on children's individual development and learning, (2) focusing on teaching children according to the traditional teaching methods, and (3) focusing on respecting diversity in schools, in children, and in families. Recommendations for further research included: (1) teacher observations in addition to interviews, (2) exploring administrators'vviews ofDAP along with that ofteachers and parents, and (3) extending the study into higher grade levels. ResumenEl proposito de este estudio fue explorar las creencias de maestras y padres Hungaros de niiios en pre-escolar y Grado I que se relacionan con el constructo de Practicas Apropiadas para el Desarrollo (DAP) identificadas por la Asociacion Nacional para la Educcion de los Niiios Pequeiios (NAEYC, 1987(NAEYC, , 1997. Afin de resolver los problemas metodologicos inherentes a muchos estudios previos del DAP, se utilizaron la metodologia-Q y entrevistas para recolectar, analizar e interpretar los datos. Se incluyeron catorce maestras y 14 padres en la metodolgia-Q (7 maestras y 7 padres de cada grado). Se condujeron entrevistas de seguimiento con 6 participantes. Los resultados del estudio sugieren tres principales puntos de vista con respecto a las creencias DAP de los participantes Hungaros. Estos incluyen los siguientes: (1) enfoque en el desarrollo individual y aprendizaje del niho, (2) enfoque en enseiiar a los niiios de acuerdo a los metodos de enseiianza tradicionales, y (3) enfoque en respetar la diversidad en las escuelas, los niiios y susfamilias. Las recomendaciones parafuturos estudios incluyeron: (1) observaciones a las maestras ademas de las entrevistas, (2) explorar los puntos de vista de los adminsitradores acerca del DAP ademas de los de las maestras y padres, y (3) extender el estudio hacia grados superiores.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD 34(1). ISSN 0020-7187 24 (NAEYC, 1987(NAEYC, , 1997). Afin d'eviter les problemes methodologiques presents dans de nombreuses etudes sur les DAP, la methode Qet les interviews ont ete utilisees pour recueillir, analyser et interpreter les donnees. Quatorze enseignants et quatorze parents ont participe ala methode Q (7 enseignants et 7parents achaque niveau d'enseignement). Des interviews de suivi ont ete conduites avec six participants. II ressor...

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