The Mediating Effects of Infant Teachers’ Sensitivity on the Relationship Between Play-Teaching Efficacy and Infants’ Childcare Center Adjustment

Abstract

This study examines the relationship of play-teaching efficacy, and infants' child care center adjustment to investigate the mediating effect of infant teachers' sensitivity. Methods: Using the questionnaire survey method targeting 399 infant teachers working at child care centers in Gyeonggi and Kangwon Province, this study aimed to measure play-teaching efficacy and infant teachers' sensitivity, and examine these factors' effects on the infants' child care center adjustment. Results: Infant teachers' sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between play-teaching efficacy and infants' child care center adjustment. Conclusion:In addition to having direct effect on infants' childcare center adjustment play-teaching efficacy has indirect effects on it through the mediation of infant teachers' sensitivity.