A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia
Abstract This study examines the landscape of childcare providers (CPs) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their pivotal role in supporting children’s language development. While fundamental, understanding CPs’ knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and professional training remains limit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Discover Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00460-3 |
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| author | Khadeejah Alaslani Haifa Alroqi Alaa Almohammadi Yara Aljahlan Roaa Alsulaiman Aalya Albeeshi Abdullah Murad Fahad Alnemary |
| author_facet | Khadeejah Alaslani Haifa Alroqi Alaa Almohammadi Yara Aljahlan Roaa Alsulaiman Aalya Albeeshi Abdullah Murad Fahad Alnemary |
| author_sort | Khadeejah Alaslani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study examines the landscape of childcare providers (CPs) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their pivotal role in supporting children’s language development. While fundamental, understanding CPs’ knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and professional training remains limited in this context. This study aims to provide a comprehensive profile of CPs by exploring how these factors interact with work experience, education, and training. A nationwide survey of CPs revealed that merely a quarter of CPs in early childhood education (ECE), raising concerns about the alignment of qualifications with the demands of their roles. Significant positive associations were observed between CPs’ knowledge of child language development and their perceived self-efficacy, and a moderately significant positive association was found between CPs’ knowledge of language development and professional training received. CPs’ self-efficacy was significantly predicted by their knowledge of child language development and the extent of training they had undergone. These findings highlight the need for targeted professional development initiatives to improve the quality of ECE in Saudi Arabia. By acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of child language development, this study highlights the importance of evidence-based policies to equip CPs with the skills necessary to meet the developmental needs of children. These insights provide a foundation for future research and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening ECE in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a7794b3b490c40d2a1d8d2ef48867715 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-5525 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-a7794b3b490c40d2a1d8d2ef488677152025-08-20T02:10:20ZengSpringerDiscover Education2731-55252025-03-014112810.1007/s44217-025-00460-3A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi ArabiaKhadeejah Alaslani0Haifa Alroqi1Alaa Almohammadi2Yara Aljahlan3Roaa Alsulaiman4Aalya Albeeshi5Abdullah Murad6Fahad Alnemary7English Department, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesDepartment of Modern Languages and Literature, King Abdulaziz UniversityDepartment of Modern Languages and Literature, King Abdulaziz UniversityCollege of Medicine, Alfaisal UniversityCollege of Education, King Saud UniversityYnmoCollege of Computer and Information Systems, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Special Education, Taif UniversityAbstract This study examines the landscape of childcare providers (CPs) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their pivotal role in supporting children’s language development. While fundamental, understanding CPs’ knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and professional training remains limited in this context. This study aims to provide a comprehensive profile of CPs by exploring how these factors interact with work experience, education, and training. A nationwide survey of CPs revealed that merely a quarter of CPs in early childhood education (ECE), raising concerns about the alignment of qualifications with the demands of their roles. Significant positive associations were observed between CPs’ knowledge of child language development and their perceived self-efficacy, and a moderately significant positive association was found between CPs’ knowledge of language development and professional training received. CPs’ self-efficacy was significantly predicted by their knowledge of child language development and the extent of training they had undergone. These findings highlight the need for targeted professional development initiatives to improve the quality of ECE in Saudi Arabia. By acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of child language development, this study highlights the importance of evidence-based policies to equip CPs with the skills necessary to meet the developmental needs of children. These insights provide a foundation for future research and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening ECE in the region.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00460-3Childcare providersChild language developmentSelf-efficacyProfessional developmentSaudi Arabia |
| spellingShingle | Khadeejah Alaslani Haifa Alroqi Alaa Almohammadi Yara Aljahlan Roaa Alsulaiman Aalya Albeeshi Abdullah Murad Fahad Alnemary A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia Discover Education Childcare providers Child language development Self-efficacy Professional development Saudi Arabia |
| title | A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia |
| title_full | A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia |
| title_fullStr | A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia |
| title_full_unstemmed | A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia |
| title_short | A national study on knowledge of child language development, self-efficacy, and the professional development of childcare providers in Saudi Arabia |
| title_sort | national study on knowledge of child language development self efficacy and the professional development of childcare providers in saudi arabia |
| topic | Childcare providers Child language development Self-efficacy Professional development Saudi Arabia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00460-3 |
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