Parent-teacher communication : Discovering values and concerns of Montessori educators and parents of infants and toddlers
Title
Parent-teacher communication : Discovering values and concerns of Montessori educators and parents of infants and toddlers
Creator
Zheng, Melissa
Description
Zheng, Melissa
The purpose of this study was to explore parent-teacher communication in an infant and toddler program. I wanted to discover what educators and parents of infants and toddlers in a Montessori setting value in parent-teacher communication. Participants were from a private, suburban Montessori school in Illinois. This study surveyed five lead teacher participants, and interviewed four of them. Thirty-seven parents of infants and toddlers responded to a parent survey and of those parents, eight were randomly selected to participate in an interview. A non-experimental research design using both quantitative and qualitative methods allowed me to collect a substantial amount of data on what educators and parents value when it comes to communicating about infants and toddlers. When analyzing data, I mainly used a priori coding as well as inductive coding when necessary. I found that teachers want parents to know more about child development and that parents want to know more about activities children do at school to bring consistency and the Montessori method into their homes. Teachers and parents both gave suggestions on how communication could be improved upon and what could make parent-teacher partnerships stronger. It became apparent that open communication, respect, and trust are all components parents and teachers think make strong partnerships. This study discussed aspects of infant and toddler parent-teacher communication and what can help to create, maintain or improve infant-toddler programs. These findings can help infant and toddler practitioners create stronger communication and consistency for both staff and parents.
The purpose of this study was to explore parent-teacher communication in an infant and toddler program. I wanted to discover what educators and parents of infants and toddlers in a Montessori setting value in parent-teacher communication. Participants were from a private, suburban Montessori school in Illinois. This study surveyed five lead teacher participants, and interviewed four of them. Thirty-seven parents of infants and toddlers responded to a parent survey and of those parents, eight were randomly selected to participate in an interview. A non-experimental research design using both quantitative and qualitative methods allowed me to collect a substantial amount of data on what educators and parents value when it comes to communicating about infants and toddlers. When analyzing data, I mainly used a priori coding as well as inductive coding when necessary. I found that teachers want parents to know more about child development and that parents want to know more about activities children do at school to bring consistency and the Montessori method into their homes. Teachers and parents both gave suggestions on how communication could be improved upon and what could make parent-teacher partnerships stronger. It became apparent that open communication, respect, and trust are all components parents and teachers think make strong partnerships. This study discussed aspects of infant and toddler parent-teacher communication and what can help to create, maintain or improve infant-toddler programs. These findings can help infant and toddler practitioners create stronger communication and consistency for both staff and parents.
Date
2019
Publisher
Alverno College
Extent
82 pages
Language
English
Format
PDF
Type
Text
Inquiry Project
Subject
Montessori method of education
Parent-teacher relationships
Infant-toddler
Parent-teacher communication
Rights
These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.
Collection
Citation
Zheng, Melissa, “Parent-teacher communication : Discovering values and concerns of Montessori educators and parents of infants and toddlers,” Alverno College Library Digital Commons, accessed May 17, 2024, https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/469.