Understanding Preschool Teachers' Perceptions of Challenging Behavior: "It's Exhausting"

Author

Elizabeth StapletonFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

First Advisor

Patricia Crain de Galarce

Second Advisor

Salvatore Terrasi

Third Advisor

Margaret Blaustein

Abstract

Child maltreatment is a widespread issue across the United States, directly impacting young children’s learning and behavior. Yet, variability found in early education pre-service training does not include focus on this topic. Early education teachers often experience low wages, long work hours, and a lack of support to meet the needs of young children. This mixed methods study sought to understand preschool teachers’ perceptions of challenging behavior in their classrooms and the impact challenging behavior has on relationships within the classroom community. Quantitative data was collected from 30 preschool teachers using the Student-Teacher Relationship Short Form and frequency ratings of common behavior attributes. Three survey respondents participated in interviews to gather qualitative data that detail their perceptions about challenging behavior and student-teacher relationships on a deeper level. Survey results describe the student-teacher relationships as marked by closeness or conflict, these subscale scores have a moderate negative correlation. The most common behaviors found in preschool classrooms were impulsivity, neediness, defiance, needs high levels of teacher support, talking out of turn, and too much energy. Findings suggest preschool teachers do not feel adequately prepared to teach children with challenging behavior, feelings of isolation influence preschool teachers’ ability to teach children with challenging behavior, and when preschool teachers feel a sense of connectedness, their success and satisfaction in the classroom increases.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Language

English

Number of Pages

210

Embargo Period

4-19-2024

Recommended Citation

Stapleton, Elizabeth, "Understanding Preschool Teachers' Perceptions of Challenging Behavior: "It's Exhausting"" (2024). Educational Studies Dissertations. 227.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/227