"My Child Might Be Thinking About Something Beneficial to Humanity": Enhancing Parental Perspectives on Engineering Education in Early Childhood
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, vol.39, no.3, pp.560-579, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 39 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1080/02568543.2024.2379854
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo, DIALNET
- Page Numbers: pp.560-579
- Keywords: Early childhood education, early engineering education, parental involvement, parents’ perspectives, STEM education
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This qualitative case study explores how parental involvement (PI) in early engineering education (EEE) of 5- to 6-year-old children provided through a school-based program reflected on Turkish parents' perspectives regarding three themes: 1) engineering, 2) EEE, and 3) PI in EEE. Data were collected from 13 parents through pre- and post-interviews and reflective journals. Findings revealed that, after their involvement in the program activities, parents tended to define engineering as related to problem-solving and facilitating daily life and perceive the contributions of EEE to children more comprehensively. After participating in the program, parents reported a more expanded perception of alternative ways of supporting their children's EEE through PI. Findings also indicated that parents' perceived life contexts might constitute a barrier to PI in EEE, and parents need more guidance on providing effective scaffolding for their children's EEE.