Parents' Expectations and Preconceptions with Regard to their Young Children's Learning-Exploring Two Preschool Programs

Author: Tsyr-Huey Liou(National Hsinchu University of Education)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 51, No. 1
Date：April 2006
Pages：131-158
DOI：10.3966/2073753X2006045101007

Abstract：

This qualitative study explored parents' expectations for, and ideas about, their children's learning in two preschool programs in Taiwan. The results indicate that parents' expectations strongly influence how they define and choose the "ideal school" for their children. Different parents weigh similar factors differently in making decisions, according to their particular value systems. They react to societal pressures differently and develop different ideas about how to establish a good foundation for their children. While the majority of parents in our targeted private school focused more on academic skills, the others focused more on the learning of social skills and development of personality. While some of the participating parents' ideas and expectations remained static, others went through a process of change. Thus it is clear that many factors interplay to shape parents ideas, which socioeconomic status does not necessarily play an essential role. It is urged that phenomena and strategies related to early childhood education need to be understood and developed contextually.

Keywords：early childhood education, parental expectations and preconceptions, qualitative study

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