Handbook of Research on Preparing Early Childhood Teachers for Managing Emergencies

By implication, a well - prepared teacher is key to the sustainability of a quality education system globally. However, the outbreak of the coronavirus globally exposed many deficiencies in the education system, especially in developing nations. The education sector was not spared at the outbreak of COVID-19 as school systems everywhere were abruptly shut down and children were required to stay at home. Little did educators know that the period would linger longer than expected, hence the need to keep children learning through virtual mode. The vital questions that should be addressed are: Are teachers of early childhood capable of meeting the challenges in an emergency period like this as well as future emergencies? What expertise do they have or should they possess to meet up with the demands of emergency times and situations? Are there challenges to be addressed to enhance teachers on the job performance for any circumstances? How technologically prepared and ready are the teachers of this age for emergency times which may be natural or man-made? Is there a match between early childhood teacher preparation curriculum and societal experiences? This book aims to identify, share, and explain teachers' experiences during and after emergencies, whether they be natural or man-made across all nations. It illuminates cross-cultural commonalities and unique differences in the conceptualizations of teacher effectiveness and practices and empowers teachers on procedures and approaches to manage any form of emergency to the best of their abilities and for their student's benefit. This crucial reference is targeted towards pre-service and in-service teachers, as well as practitioners in early childhood education. Academicians, researchers, and students in education will also benefit from the research contained within this book.