Fostering Classroom Communities

Title of Dissertation:

Preschool Educators’ Roles in Creating Supportive Spaces for  Gender Exploration and Expression

 

Problem:

According to the researcher, she explains that children begin to develop an understanding of gender identification by preschool, however, the researchers explains that there is an absence of research that focuses on understanding how preschool teachers affect the gender identity development of young children (Chofla, 2016).

 

Purpose:

According to the researcher, the purpose of this research study was to explore how early childhood educators promote or hinder gender exploration beyond the gender binary in their classrooms as well as the role of cisgenderism in early childhood educators’ curricular decisions and perceptions of students (Chofla, 2016).The researcher explains that this is the reason there is a need of research concerning how preschool teachers influence gender identity development as well as how biases might influence teaching decision. The research also explains that there is not sufficient studies in the subject matter. 

 

Population:

The population used for this research study was focused on four early childhood educators from the Sacramento region and who were also reaching children between the ages of 3 and 4 years old, one male and three females. According to the researcher, all the participants were from different areas within the Sacramento area. One educator was from a community-based state-subsidized, parent-run cooperative, private school, and religiously affiliated.

 

Methodology:

The researcher used a qualitative research method for this research study. The researcher explained that the decision to select a qualitative research method was because a qualitative research promotes a deep, more holistic understanding of a present-day phenomenon (Chofla, 2016). The research also explained that qualitative research allows for participants to inform the researcher and explain their story and/or experience.

 

Data Sources:

According to the researcher, the data for the study was collected individually from all four participants by four different sources; initial participant interview, one classroom observation, children’s book analysis, and follow up participant interview. According to the researcher, the data collected was presented in the form of a milticase study.

 

Conclusion:

According to the researcher, this research could have an impactful role in supporting the professional growth of early childhood educators and the children they serve (Chofla, 2016). According to researcher this study explored how early childhood educators promote or hinder gender exploration of preschool children.

 

Sources used by the Author:

I believe that these three sources are relevant to this research study because they are able to provide the reader, student, and future researcher to continue to conduct future research to be able to provide developmentally appropriate practices for preschool children.

Aina, O. E., & Cameron, P. A. (2011). Why does gender matter? Counteracting stereotypes  with young children. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 39(3), 11-19.

Burt, T., Gelnaw, A., & Lesser, L. K. (2010). Creating welcoming and inclusive                          environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families in early                childhood settings. Young Children, 97-103.

Daitsman, J. (2011). Exploring gender identity in early childhood through story dictation  and dramatization. Voices of Practitioners, 14, 1-12.

 

 

The information gleaned from this dissertation can further my work related to fostering supportive learning environments through positive classroom cultures and classroom communities as I want to continue to educate future educators to be able to understand how they can provide an inclusive learning environment  for all children regardless of their gender identification. It is also important to understand that as educators we provide a safe learning environment for all children where they can explore gender identity through different learning activities without feeling judged or scared to do so.

 

 

 

References

Chofla, Shaun-Adrian F. (2016). Preschool educators’ roles in creating supportive spaces       for gender exploration and expression [Dissertation, Walden University]. Electronic        Theses & Dissertation Center.