| Owner: |
Jennifer Mata-McMahon
|
| Owner Email: |
jmatamcm@umbc.edu
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| Paper Title: |
Exploring U.S. Early Childhood Educators’ Understanding of Spirituality and Its Implications for Teacher Preparation Programs (Poster 37)
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| Session Title: |
The Tapestry of Spirituality and Education
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| Paper Type: |
Poster Presentation
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| Presentation Date: |
4/14/2024
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| Presentation Location: |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Descriptors: |
Child Development, Spirituality, Teacher Education - Pre-Service
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| Methodology: |
Qualitative
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| Author(s): |
Jennifer Mata-McMahon, University of Maryland - Baltimore County
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| Unit: |
SIG-Spirituality & Education
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| Abstract: |
This study explored in-service early childhood educators' understanding of children's spirituality using the recently validated instrument Early Childhood Educators' Spiritual Practices in the Classroom (ECE-SPC) (Mata-McMahon, et al., 2023). The responses of 318 educators working with children ages 0 to 8 across 36 U.S. states were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to data analysis (Glaser, 1992). Findings revealed a multilayered understanding of children's spirituality, organized into three categories: essence (f 208), place of origin (f 121), and actions or practices concerning others (f 86). These findings can inform teacher preparation programs supporting pre-service educators engaging in self-reflection and reflective pedagogical practices including mindfulness and meditation.
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| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.3102/2101136
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