A typical morning in preschool: Observations of teacher-child interactions in German preschools

Antje von Suchodoletz, Anika Fäsche, Catherine Gunzenhauser, Bridget K. Hamre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The study examined the applicability and generalizability of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K (CLASS Pre-K; Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2008) and the associated conceptual Teaching through Interaction framework to understand classroom processes in the German early education system. Three broad domains describe effective teacher-child interactions: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support. In the present study, we observed teacher-child interactions in 63 classrooms drawn from 26 different preschools using the CLASS Pre-K. Consistent with research from the United States, CLASS Pre-K scores demonstrated that the quality of teacher-child interactions varied widely. Data indicated that the levels of Emotional Support and Classroom Organization were moderate. In contrast, the level of Instructional Support was rather low and even decreased over the course of the morning. Furthermore, Emotional Support was found to decrease over the day in classrooms with a higher child-teacher ratio. Results have important implications for policy and practice with regard to the quality of care and education in German preschools.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)509-519
Number of pages11
JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

Keywords

  • International child care perspectives
  • Preschool quality
  • Teacher-child interactions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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