This paper explores the role of autonomy in teachers' Continuing Professional Development (CPD), specifically through practitioner research in the UK Further Education (FE) sector. By addressing challenges such as performativity and 'best practice,' it argues for a model of CPD that emphasises teacher autonomy, allowing for self-reflection,…

Emotional labour is an important part of teaching. Teaching self-efficacy and job dedication are important parameters that influence teaching. Mixed findings have been reported on the link between emotional labour, teaching self-efficacy, and job dedication. This study examined the pattern of emotional labour performed by early childhood teachers,…

This paper reports on a study that explored the user-driven inter-organisational professional learning that teachers from two education systems collectively engaged in via social media. A dedicated Facebook group was established to enable Australian early childhood teachers (sector one) and primary school teachers (sector two) to engage in…

"I think I can, I think I can' puffed "The Little Engine That Could." The American folktale taught the value of optimism and hard work reflecting a growth mindset belief about abilities. A growth mindset positively impacts academic achievement, motivation, and children's agency for learning. Few studies have explored how early…

Turnover of early childhood education (ECE) professionals negatively impacts program costs, staff morale, and relationships with children. We determined whether the presence of work as a calling was associated with less intention to leave the ECE field. From an online survey administered to 265 ECE professionals in Pennsylvania, a calling score…

This study examines the links between early childhood teachers' attitudes toward STEM education, constructivist beliefs, and self-efficacy in STEM education. For this purpose, the study was conducted using a survey model. The study's participants are 211 early childhood teachers working in various regions of Turkey. The study collected the data…

This study investigated the relationship between compassion and mindfulness in teaching among early years practitioners, with low levels of psychological distress as a mediator. A total of 81 early years practitioners were recruited from the United Kingdom via mass emails and announcements on social media platforms. Findings based on path analysis…

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the perception of graduates from teaching degree programs in Early Childhood and Primary Education carried out in Spain in accordance with the European Higher Education Area, who are currently working in classrooms, on their initial training in the educational treatment of diversity (ETD). In…

Drawing upon Ahmed's (2006) analysis of how institutional documents become nonperforming, this article argues that teacher education must create opportunities for emerging educators to grapple with the pedagogical consequences of understanding the fourth edition of "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs" (2022)…

Embracing curricular reforms such as the Next Generation Science Standards poses unique challenges for early childhood science teachers who often value play and curiosity, but are challenged by the depth of scientific disciplinary practices expected by these standards. To explore possibilities for teacher growth, this research draws on Noddings'…

This article critically analyses the dynamic role of the Preschool Teachers' Union in Iceland, tracing its strategic moves within the educational and political spheres from inception to the present. The union's formative years were marked by a fight to become a fully fledged union and active participation in foundational negotiations that…

This study uses frame of boundary work to explore university teacher educators' discourses of the early childhood teacher education practicum and to identify the complexities of their positions(s) in these discourses. Data were obtained through focus group interviews with university teacher educators (N = 16) from two Finnish universities and…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to focus on teachers' perceptions regarding professional development training for early childhood education. The problem addressed in this study was the inadequate amount of professional development training available for early childhood teachers to address children with challenging…

Unstructured outdoor play has been recognized for its beneficial impacts on children's healthy development; however, unfortunately, opportunities for children to engage in meaningful play are limited. Early learning and childcare centres can be essential settings for unstructured outdoor play, and educators can play a vital role in supporting…

It is well recognized and codified into law that families are an important part of early childhood evaluations; how families are included in evaluations in practice is less clear. To learn about family involvement, a nationally distributed survey focused on early childhood professionals' (n = 1,118) use of family-centered practices before, during,…