| Description |
Early childhood education is based on a developmental perspective, in which four areas of child development (social-emotional, language, cognitive and physical) are considered. In particular, healthy social-emotional development of young children is crucial for success in all areas of growth and achievement later in life. Healthy socialemotional development is promoted by building a safe, secure and respectful environment in an early childhood setting with positive and consistent relationships among adults and children. This study explored storytelling dramatizations as an opportunity to build community within the context of one early childhood classroom. The study was a qualitative, interpretive analysis of 20 videotaped storytelling dramatization sessions viewed from a community building perspective. Ethnographic methods were used to determine themes that emerged from the videotaped data. Triangulation across investigators, time and methods enhanced trustworthiness of interpretations. Results found that the storytelling dramatization activity provided opportunities to promote community building through four emerging themes: 1) participation, 2) membership and inclusion, 3) building relationships and 4) environment. Implications for practice include providing teachers with a teaching tool that builds community and aligns with current early childhood education quality standards and child development theory. To my mom, a gifted teacher and mother, who taught me invaluable lessons, but most of all encouraged me to be me, and fostered my unique interests and talents. |
