, HREDU82 ASSIGNMENT 4 ANSWERS
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
DUE DATE: 13 OCTOBER 2026
Understanding Teachers’ Experiences of Supporting Young Children’s Development in
Early Childhood Settings
1. Background and Purpose of the Study
This methodology explains how the study will explore teachers’ experiences of supporting
young children’s development in early childhood settings. Early childhood development is
an important stage because it supports children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical
development. In South Africa, the National Curriculum Framework for children from birth
to four provides guidance for practitioners and other adults working with young children
and promotes a holistic approach to learning and development (Department of Basic
Education, 2015).
The purpose of this study is to understand how early childhood teachers support young
children in their daily learning and development. The study will explore teachers’
experiences, challenges, teaching practices and the support available to them. A qualitative
research approach will be used because it allows participants to describe their experiences
in their own words (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Semi-structured interviews will be used to
collect detailed information from selected early childhood teachers. The information will
then be analysed using thematic analysis to identify common patterns and themes (Braun
& Clarke, 2006). The methodology will cover the research design, data collection,
participant selection, data analysis, trustworthiness and ethical considerations.
2. Research Design and Philosophical Approach
The study will use a qualitative research design. Qualitative research is appropriate
when the researcher wants to understand people's experiences, perceptions and
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
DUE DATE: 13 OCTOBER 2026
Understanding Teachers’ Experiences of Supporting Young Children’s Development in
Early Childhood Settings
1. Background and Purpose of the Study
This methodology explains how the study will explore teachers’ experiences of supporting
young children’s development in early childhood settings. Early childhood development is
an important stage because it supports children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical
development. In South Africa, the National Curriculum Framework for children from birth
to four provides guidance for practitioners and other adults working with young children
and promotes a holistic approach to learning and development (Department of Basic
Education, 2015).
The purpose of this study is to understand how early childhood teachers support young
children in their daily learning and development. The study will explore teachers’
experiences, challenges, teaching practices and the support available to them. A qualitative
research approach will be used because it allows participants to describe their experiences
in their own words (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Semi-structured interviews will be used to
collect detailed information from selected early childhood teachers. The information will
then be analysed using thematic analysis to identify common patterns and themes (Braun
& Clarke, 2006). The methodology will cover the research design, data collection,
participant selection, data analysis, trustworthiness and ethical considerations.
2. Research Design and Philosophical Approach
The study will use a qualitative research design. Qualitative research is appropriate
when the researcher wants to understand people's experiences, perceptions and
