This study aims to examine the relationships among teacher-child interactions, early childhood teachers’ beliefs in developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), and play teaching efficacy. Furthermore, it is to explore the mediating effects of play t...
This study aims to examine the relationships among teacher-child interactions, early childhood teachers’ beliefs in developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), and play teaching efficacy. Furthermore, it is to explore the mediating effects of play teaching efficacy on the relationship between teachers’ DAP beliefs and teacher-child interactions.
To achieve the research objectives, a survey was conducted targeting early childhood educators using a convenience sampling method which is a non- probability sampling method and Naver Form. Out of 350 responses, 326 were selected for final data analysis after excluding 24 insincerely completed questionnaires.
Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 Process Macro program, including frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, reliability verification, Pearson’s correlation analysis, Hayes (2013) PROCESS Macro simple mediation model (Model 4), and regression analysis. The findings are as follows:
First, a positive correlation was found between early childhood teachers’ beliefs in developmentally appropriate practice and play teaching efficacy. Higher beliefs in DAP were associated with increased play teaching efficacy.
Second, there was a positive correlation between teachers' beliefs in DAP and teacher-child interactions.
Third, a positive correlation was identified between play teaching efficacy and teacher-child interactions.
Fourth, regarding the mediating effect of play teaching efficacy in the relationship between teachers’ DAP beliefs and teacher-child interactions, it was found that play teaching efficacy plays a mediating role in the influence of DAP beliefs on teacher-child interactions.
This study is significant in that it examines the factors influencing the relationship between early childhood teachers’ beliefs in developmentally appropriate practice and teacher-child interactions, and provides foundational data for devising strategies to enhance early childhood educators' beliefs in developmentally appropriate practice and play teaching efficacy, both of which are essential elements in early childhood education.