The beliefs of preschool teachers on self-regulated learning in the preschool

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative research which implements the Delphi method on a sample size of 25 preschool teachers and their assistants in Slovenian preschools regarding their beliefs on self-regulated learning in the preschool. The goal was to determine how preschool teachers and their assistants define their own self-regulated learning, which factors they recognize as important in the children's self-regulated learning in the preschool and how they assess the role of the preschool teacher in the process of enhancing self-regulated learning of children in the preschool. The research was conducted in two rounds using two questionnaires. The first round of research was done using an open ended questionnaire, the answers were coded and the relevant concepts were categorized. On the basis of the result analysis from the first round of the research the questionnaire for the second round was made, which enabled the analysis and comparison of the data from both rounds of research. From the analysis of the gathered data, most preschool teachers (72%) believe that for the development of self-regulated learning it is important for the children to learn by watching others and through real-life examples. Slightly more than half of the preschool teachers (52%) say that it is independent participation of the child, (48%) believe that incentive is important, and (36%) believe that guidance is key. Others (28%) mention observation and dialogue as an important approach for the development of self-regulated learning, (12%) believe that it is persistence. Challenges and attention from the preschool teacher were noted by (8%) of the preschool teachers while (4%) believe that the adequate environment and interesting topics were an important approach.