Kindergarten teachers' professional competencies in early science teaching

In this research project the effectiveness of professional development for early science teachers is investigated. We study to what extent a specific intervention leads to a change in teachers’ competencies. Specifically, teachers' scaffolding behavior is analyzed based on classroom videos. Furthermore, relations between teachers’ professional knowledge, their instructional behavior and children’s learning are examined.

This project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundadion (SNSF) is led by Prof. Dr. Henrik Saalbach (ETH Zurich and University of Leipzig) in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Annette Tettenborn (University of Teacher Education in Lucerne) and Prof. Dr. Miriam Leuchter (University of Muenster). Ueli Studhalter has a PhD position on this project.