The discrepancy between teachers’ beliefs and practices: A study of kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines the discrepancy between teachers’ beliefs and practices in Hong Kong kindergartens and the factors that influence this discrepancy. Three kindergartens, considered by the Hong Kong Education Bureau to be of varying quality, were chosen from different areas of Hong Kong. Questionnaires about teaching beliefs were administered to 35 teachers from these kindergartens. These quantitative data were supplemented with qualitative data gathered during individual interviews with five of the teachers and the three principals. In addition, a focus group of five early childhood education specialists commented on the videotaped observations of the classroom practices of the five interviewed teachers. The findings showed that all of the teachers endorsed the advocated teaching beliefs, but there was a discrepancy between their beliefs and practices. The most significant factors contributing to the discrepancy were teachers’ professional education and their attitudes towards personal teaching introspection. Teachers were also under pressure from parents’ curriculum requests, demands on the children’s academic abilities and expectations for a strong link to Primary One. Enhanced early childhood education training that helps teachers to be introspective about their own teaching practices and beliefs is recommended. Government support is also required to teach parents what constitutes a high-quality learning environment for young children. Copyright © 2016 Teacher Development.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)417-433
JournalTeacher Development: An International Journal of Teachers' Professional Development
Volume20
Issue number3
Early online dateApr 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Citation

Chan, W. L. (2016). The discrepancy between teachers’ beliefs and practices: A study of kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong. Teacher Development: An international journal of teachers' professional development, 20(3), 417-433.

Keywords

  • Teachers’ beliefs
  • Kindergartens
  • Learning and teaching practices

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The discrepancy between teachers’ beliefs and practices: A study of kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.