Factors on Preschool Children’s Sense of School Belonging: Educator and Parent Perspectives

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on New Trends in Teaching and Education

Year: 2026

[PDF]

Factors on Preschool Children’s Sense of School Belonging: Educator and Parent Perspectives

Dr. Nur Alacam

ABSTRACT:

The sense of school belonging is a crucial factor in children’s well-being and early school experiences. Yet, there are limited number research studies on this focus in the early childhood level. This study investigated the factors upon preschool children’s sense of school belonging in terms of educator and parent perspectives. Five early childhood educators and ten parents from their classrooms participated in the study. Data were collected through open-ended surveys, and then thematic analysis was employed to analyze it. The findings showed that educators give importance to creating a classroom atmosphere in which children have positive peer relations. Moreover, they highlighted providing a variety of engaging activities and materials for the children. Family-school collaboration was also the other influential factor on children’s sense of belonging to school in the views of educators. On the other hand, parents agreed upon the educator and peer relations as the most important factors on their children’s sense of belonging to school. They also referred to the contribution of enjoyable activities and workshops provided by the school. Based upon the similarities in the findings, it was concluded that both educators and families have important roles in enhancing children’s sense of school belonging.

Keywords: Early Childhood Education; School Belonging; School Environment; Parent Collaboration