A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Enhancing early childhood education student teachers' mentalization, interaction, and relationships: an online intervention
Authors: Marttila Jenny, Fukkink Ruben, Silvén Maarit
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2023
Journal: European Early Childhood Education Research Journal
Journal name in source: EUROPEAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL
ISSN: 1350-293X
eISSN: 1752-1807
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2266782
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2266782
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181849201
Despite the growing importance of in-service teachers’ mentalization in early childhood education (ECE), studies on pre-service teachers are scarce. We embedded a newly developed version of video enhanced reflective practice (VERP) program in an online study module in a bachelor’s degree program to promote Finnish ECE student teachers’ interactional and relational competence via mentalization. The study module included evidence-based lectures and tutorials on children’s language development and teacher–child interactions, supplemented with multimedia material on a digital platform, independent work on assignments, and practical training. The VERP students’ (N = 21) and the trainers’ talk about cognition, but not about emotion, increased. The students rated their attuned interaction skills higher after the VERP training. After the study module, students perceived more closeness and less conflict in their overall relationships with children. The prospective ECE teachers appear to benefit from online mentalization training with complementary curricular content and teaching methods.
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