Breaking Down Barriers for 1st-Year Teachers: What Teacher Preparation Programs Can Do

Source: Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, Volume 29, Issue 1 January 2008 , pages 30 – 44

A developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children is vital for successful learning. However, implementing developmentally appropriate practices can be a challenge for 1st-year teachers because of the pressures of standardized testing. The purpose of this study was to examine the struggles teachers encounter in implementing developmentally appropriate practices in their 1st year and to identify what helped them overcome those obstacles. We conclude with several ideas for teacher preparation programs as well as suggestions for 1st-year teachers