WorldForumonEarlyCareandEduca1on,2009
UnderstandingTeachers’Emo1onalExperienceintheClassroom:
HowAngerAffectsTheirInterac1onswithYoungChildren
Don’t Get So Upset! Help Young Children Manage Their Feelings by Understanding Your Own (2008). Redleaf Press
Confronting Our Discomfort; Clearing the Way for Anti-Bias in Early Childhood (2003). Heinemann
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Early Childhood Teacher Survey
Thank you for participating in this survey. Please be assured that your answers will be kept entirely confidential. Do not put your name anywhere on the questionnaire. In some cases you will be asked to “circle the most appropriate answer for you.” In other cases you will be asked to “write-in” answers in your own words. The survey should require no more than 10 minutes to complete.
First, we would like to ask you about anger in adults and in your self.
• How often do you experience feelings of anger? [Never (1); Seldom(2); Occasionally (3); Commonly (4); Often (5); Always (6)]
• Please describe what anger feels like to you? (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
• Is it bad for adults to be angry? (Please check the answer that is appropriate for you.) Yes (1) or No (2)
• Was it okay for you to express anger around your parents when you were a child? Yes (1) or No (2)
• Please explain why it was okay or why it was not okay. (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
• What makes you angry? (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
• How do you express anger? (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
Second, we would like to ask you about anger in children and about child anger in your
classroom.
• Is it okay for children to express anger in your classroom? Yes (1) or No (2)
• What do you do when children express anger in your classroom? (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
• Is it bad for children to be angry? (Please check the answer that is appropriate for you.) Yes (1) or No (2)
• How often do you experience feelings of anger when caring for and educating young children? [Never (1); Seldom (2); Occasionally (3); Commonly (4); Often (5); Always (6)]
• What makes you angry when working with young children? (Use back side of questionnaire if needed.)
Finally, we would like to ask some “demographic” questions about yourself.
• How long have you worked with young children or teachers of young children? Under 1 year (1); 1-5 years (2); 5-10 years (3); 10-15 years (4); 15-20 years (5); Over 20 years (6)
• What is your age? __________ • What is your gender? (F) or (M) • What is your ethnic or cultural background? • Please indicate your present level of
educational attainment.
Thank you for taking time to participate in this survey!
When my inside[s] turn over into a knot. I want to yell and my ears turn hot! I also tend to get tears in my eyes! A build up of strong emotions that make me feel hot and often times
causes me to cry. A feeling that I have no control over something that has happened that is upsetting to me; I can't
think rationally, I feel my palms get sweaty. My knees start to shake, my voice cracks. I talk louder and faster; it makes me
understand why shaken-baby syndrome happens. Not to condone it but I understand how a parent can get to that point. I feel I have to remove myself from the situation in
order to avoid yelling. It makes me feel frustrated and helpless. Anger feels hot. Red hot. Sometimes it comes at you like a tidal wave. Sometimes it builds and builds until it turns into a volcano and explodes; or, Anger feels like you want to explode and just scream or hit something. It makes you hot
and uncomfortable and anxietable
Teachersdescribetheirownanger:
How children make me angry:
When a child doesn't listen to what I am or other children are saying to them. Also when they have been asked over and
over to work on something and the child doesn't respond or follow through with the task; Children who know the rules
and don't follow them. Children using their hands instead of their words-most importantly-children being mean to others (teasing/name calling). I have little tolerance for that; I find
that when I am tired, sick or frustrated about something else, I get angry more easily. I have gotten angry at children who
have hurt another child or a child who repeatedly does something I have asked him not to do; I hate whining.
Whining makes me very angry. When children say they don't need the bathroom, then 5 minutes later they do; or, being ignored or provoked, being hit, spit on, called names; or,
when children hurt other children or myself. When children do things on purpose to evoke a negative response. When
children talk back or don't listen.
What do you do when children
express anger in your classroom?
I acknowledge their feelings and try to help them express their anger verbally; we allow them to be upset as long as
they aren't hurting themselves or others. We give them a safe place to throw their fit; we tell them that it's okay to be upset
or angry but that they need to walk away or sit down and have some private time to be upset so that they don't hurt their friends (if it's physical) If not physically acting out
anger the we like them to tell us or their friends why they are upset. We try not to stifle their emotions, but make sure they don't hurt themselves or others at the same time if applicable
to the situation; or, tell them it okay to be angry but we cannot hurt people or destroy property when we are angry or ever. Ask them if they are angry. Have them tell a teacher of
their friend if they are angry and why. Help the children problem solve when they are angry.
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