Lived Experiences of Kindergarten Teachers Handling Students with Behavioral Problems in Aguado Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Kindergartens help children to adjust quickly in elementary school as it teaches a child to sit, listen, obey teachers and to cooperate with fellow students (Sinclair,2017). Kindergarten teachers have a challenging role in handling young pupils especially those with a behavioral problem. Many studies have looked at the experiences of teachers on teaching. However, attention has not been given to kindergarten teachers' experiences in handling the behavior of the pupils. The study looked into the experiences of kindergarten teachers in handling the behavior problem/s of the students in an elementary school in Cavite.

METHODS

This phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of kindergarten teachers in handling students with a behavioral problem. A request letter was submitted to the School Head to conduct a semi-structured interview among the six purposively selected kindergarten teachers. Participants were selected using the following criteria: have students with behavioral problems and with at least two years of experience being a kindergarten teacher. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Interview transcripts were read and checked by the participants for validation. Manual coding and thematic analysis were used to answer the research questions.

RESULTS

Thematicanalysis resulted in the following: (1) gentleness of teachers in avoidance to traumatization, (2) proper counseling, (3) influence of different children to themselves through integration. These various themes showed a different kind of experiences of students with behavioral problems such as being shouted at and have been hurt physically. Moreover, kindergarten teachers confessed that their job is hard but it is enjoyable as their students were sweet.

DISCUSSIONS

Kindergarten teachers use a gentle way of teaching and handling students with a behavioral problem, it is needed than being strict as the children are sensitive. The participants experienced to be mothers and counselors to these students. Physically hurt among the participants is also inevitable in this situation.