Abstract
Advances in neuroscience are providing information about the brain and its development. Some researchers propose that childcare workers need to understand this information because it confirms their importance and their use of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Given the fact that childcare workers could benefit from this insight, it seems reasonable to ask where they get their information about the brain and what they know about the brain and DAP. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate these questions by surveying a group of 59 childcare workers from three different centers. Results indicate these childcare workers prefer to get their information from workshops. They knew most about interactions and things that can harm the developing brain. They knew significantly less about brain development. Implications from these findings point to the importance of offering workshops with sound scientific information.
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Appendix: Traget areas and individual items under each target area
Appendix: Traget areas and individual items under each target area
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Zambo, D. Childcare Workers’ Knowledge About the Brain and Developmentally Appropriate Practice. Early Childhood Educ J 35, 571–577 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-007-0223-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-007-0223-2