TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of community-based playgroups in building relationships between pre-service teachers, families and the community
AU - McFarland-Piazza, Laura
AU - Alison, Lord
AU - Smith, Melissa
AU - Downey, Belinda
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - The purpose of this study was to explore how connections between families, communities and educators can be facilitated in teacher education courses through the use of playgroups. Barriers to building relationships, as well as the perceived benefits of these relationships to families and pre-service teachers, were also explored. Participants were involved in weekly university-based community playgroups. Focus group interviews were conducted and the constant comparative method was used to analyse interview transcripts. Themes of 'Constraints' and 'Enablers' emerged from pre-service teachers' transcripts, indicating that they were initially uncomfortable with community and family involvement but eventually made connections as to why this was important. The theme of 'positive relationship building' emerged from parents' transcripts, indicating that they saw building relationships with families and communities as an important role of early childhood educators. Implications for the importance of authentic learning situations for fostering these relationships in teacher education courses are discussed.
AB - The purpose of this study was to explore how connections between families, communities and educators can be facilitated in teacher education courses through the use of playgroups. Barriers to building relationships, as well as the perceived benefits of these relationships to families and pre-service teachers, were also explored. Participants were involved in weekly university-based community playgroups. Focus group interviews were conducted and the constant comparative method was used to analyse interview transcripts. Themes of 'Constraints' and 'Enablers' emerged from pre-service teachers' transcripts, indicating that they were initially uncomfortable with community and family involvement but eventually made connections as to why this was important. The theme of 'positive relationship building' emerged from parents' transcripts, indicating that they saw building relationships with families and communities as an important role of early childhood educators. Implications for the importance of authentic learning situations for fostering these relationships in teacher education courses are discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878387791&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/183693911203700206
DO - 10.1177/183693911203700206
M3 - Article
SN - 1836-9391
VL - 37
SP - 34
EP - 41
JO - Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
JF - Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
IS - 2
ER -