Kindergarten Teacher’s Practices to Support Early Literacy Learning: Between a Developmental Approach and an Academic Approach to Learning
In the context of opposing approaches to research and educational practices, it is important to know whether teaching practices are consistent with ministerial programs that prescribe a developmental or an educational approach. This article presents quantitative, exploratory research that aims to document pedagogical choices in preschool education in Québec. A questionnaire was given to 159 teachers. Results showed slight preferences on the part of teachers for academic approaches to language learning. The value teachers placed on play increased their preference for developmental approaches to learning. Teachers in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas expressed a more distinct preference for developmental approaches than those in comparatively more socioeconomically advantaged areas.