LITERACY OF COMMUNICATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: INVESTIGATING COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN GREECE

Authors

  • Eleni Nikoleta Oikonomou International Hellenic University, School of Social Sciences, Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Isaak Papadopoulos As. Professor, Dr., International Hellenic University, School of Social Sciences, Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Thessaloniki, Greece orcid.org/0000-0002-5882-8586

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v11i7.5375

Keywords:

communication strategies, early childhood education, educator observations, interaction, communication skills, educational environment, teaching methods

Abstract

This study explores the communication strategies employed by young children in early childhood education settings in Greece, as observed by educators. The research aims to understand how children utilize and adapt various communication styles within school environments. The study involved 44 participants, including undergraduate students majoring in Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as early childhood educators. Data was collected using a comprehensive questionnaire that examined different types of communication strategies and the specific contexts in which these strategies are used. Analysis of the data revealed that educators employ diverse techniques, such as incorporating music and encouraging role-playing games, to enhance children's communication skills. Conversely, children utilize a range of strategies to engage attention and interact effectively with peers and educators. These findings underscore the dynamic interplay between educator-facilitated activities and children's innate communication efforts, offering insights into improving communicative literacy in early education.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Eleni Nikoleta Oikonomou, International Hellenic University, School of Social Sciences, Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Eleni Nikoleta Oikonomou is a graduate of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, International Hellenic University. She is interested in bilingualism and second language teaching while she is actively researching on language education in early years settings.

  • Isaak Papadopoulos, As. Professor, Dr., International Hellenic University, School of Social Sciences, Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Thessaloniki, Greece orcid.org/0000-0002-5882-8586

    Isaak M. Papadopoulos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care at the International Hellenic University. Regarding his academic teaching experience, he has taught at various universities both nationally (Hellenic Open University) and internationally (European University Cyprus, UNICAF University, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University). His research and teaching interests are focused on language teaching to children, bilingualism/multilingualism, as well as teaching reading/writing skills in kindergarten and elementary school. He has presented his research at international and national conferences. He has published four scientific books, edited eight academic volumes, and authored chapters in books/collective volumes, as well as articles in international journals and conference proceedings.

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Published

2024-05-20

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 7 (2024)

Section

Articles

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