교사-부모 협력과 교사-영아 상호작용 간의 관계에서 영아반 교사의 민감성의 매개효과

The Mediating Effect of Child Care Teacher’s Sensitivity in the Relationship Between Teacher-Parent Partnership and Teacher-Infant Interactions

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of communication and cooperation between teachers and parents on infant care. Specifically, this study explored the direct effect of teacher-parent partnership on teacher-infant interactions and the indirect effect through teacher sensitivity. Methods: The participants of this study were 216 teachers in charge of infant classes at child care centers located in Gyeonggi-do. They responded to questionnaires on teacher-parent partnership, their sensitivity, and teacher-infant interactions. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: First, teacher-parent partnership did not have a direct impact on teacher-infant interactions. Second, teacher-parent partnership indirectly influenced teacher-infant interactions through teacher sensitivity. In other words, a high level of teacher-parent partnership was associated with a high level of sensitivity, subsequently resulting in the provision of high-quality interaction for infants. Conclusion/Implications: This study confirmed the role of teacher sensitivity as a mechanism to explain how teacher-parent partnership is linked to teacher-child interactions. The results emphasize the importance of communication and cooperation between teachers and parents in enhancing teachers’ sensitivity and, ultimately, providing high-quality child care to infants.