ERIC Number: EJ1462418
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-3301
EISSN: EISSN-1573-1707
Available Date: 2024-07-22
Declared Practices of Language Facilitation in Early Childhood Education and Care with Children Younger than Two Years
Early Childhood Education Journal, v53 n4 p1265-1279 2025
Early reciprocal language experiences are crucial for children's language development. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) has the potential to facilitate language development. However, knowledge on ECEC educators' actions in implementing early language facilitation is scarce. This study surveyed educators' declared practices of early language facilitation and its relationship with their educational background. Open-ended responses gathered from 644 Finnish ECEC educators were categorized by content and analyzed in relation to the educators' qualifications and work experience. The findings showed that when reporting on their practices, the educators typically did not focus on the child's communicative initiatives and reciprocal language. However, the responses of educators with a qualification in ECEC special education contained more focused content on child-led reciprocity. Moreover, both ECEC special education teachers and educators with experience in infant-toddler ECEC underlined the importance of interaction. The findings indicate a need to increase educators' awareness of their actions in facilitating children's early language skills. To achieve the educational and preventive rehabilitative potential of ECEC, it is crucial that centers both include ECEC special educators in their teaching staff and invest in educator training.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Infants, Language Acquisition, Facilitators (Individuals), Foreign Countries, Educational Background, Early Childhood Teachers, Teacher Qualifications, Teaching Experience, Teacher Attitudes, Learner Controlled Instruction, Special Education Teachers
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Jyväskylä, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Jyväskylä, Finland; 2University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Jyväskylä, Finland; 3University of Jyväskylä, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Jyväskylä, Finland; 4Niilo Mäki Institute, Jyväskylä, Finland; 5University of Helsinki, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Helsinki, Finland