Perceptions of kindness in pre-service early childhood teachers

Abstract

Research evidence on Social and Emotional Learning implementation at schools has long been recognized. Most of the research however, has been focused on cultivating explicit social and emotional skills and relatively scant attention has been given to those positive human qualities or virtues such as kindness. Current study aims to illuminate pre-service early childhood teachers’ conceptualization of kindness. Two hundred and nineteen pre-service students described their perceptions of kindness. Kindness was conceptualized as a range of acts and words indicating respect, understanding and emotional support, which promote personal development and healthy relationships. Teachers’ kindness specifically was perceived important in cultivating students’ personality and teacher-student relationships. The findings of the study contribute to the topic of kindness in education which is a promising but undervalued area of school-based programming.

Échelle de perception de la bienveillance à l’école : Validation française de la « School Kindness Scale ».

“…Elle est caractérisée par différentes qualités : empathie, chaleur, disponibilité, respect, attention, et confiance (ex. : Leybina et al, 2020; Poulou, 2021). Elle vise le bien-être d’autrui et est attendue par l’ensemble de la communauté scolaire, les pairs inclus (Paquet et al, 2019).…”

A Systematic Review: What’s Kindness in School and How to Grow It?

“…More complex definitions begin to include an element of priority in the interests of others and an emphasis on not expecting benefits from a given action [8], as well as self-development and healthy relationships with some indicators such as respect, understanding, and emotional support [2]. In a more specific definition, the definition is viewed from the perspective of students and teachers.…”

“…Kindness is defined as a series of behaviors and speech that can favor personal development as well as healthy relationships characterized by the presence of respect, understanding, and emotional support [2]. Kindness also represents emotions, cognitions, and circumstances within the self that bring a certain tenderness and generosity [3].…”