Sowing the seeds of virtue : a comprehensive study on character strengths and holistic development in early childhood /

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Student Theses

2024

Ho, Cheuk Ming Hades

Hong Kong : The Education University of Hong Kong

Thesis

Character strength development is critical for young children's well-being, classroom behaviour, and socio-emotional competence at home and school. However, previous research on character strength interventions has primarily focused on adolescents and adults, with limited work on early childhood populations. This is a critical gap because students' character strengths begin to develop in early childhood and become more malleable during the kindergarten years. This doctoral dissertation sought to systematically investigate the assessment, development, and impact of character strengths in early childhood education settings. This work is based on a positive psychology framework and aims to enhance theoretical and practical understanding of strengths-based approaches to promoting the holistic development of young children. Hence, this doctoral dissertation consists of three interconnected studies:Study 1 employs a scoping review methodology to examine empirical evidence on strategies for developing character strengths in early childhood education. Out of 13,135 articles, 29 met the criteria, revealing important evidence-based strategies for implementing character strength education. The findings identified two teaching techniques, six instructional materials, and 16 existing character education programmes. Most interventions emphasized social intelligence, followed by citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty, and teamwork. The findings provide early childhood educators with valuable insights and guidance for effectively incorporating character education into their curricula and classroom activities. The prevalence of Western-based research emphasises the need for studies in underrepresented regions such as Asia and Africa.Study 2 develops and validates the Early Childhood Character Strengths Scale (ECCSS), an assessment tool for children aged three to six. The study focuses on six character strengths: love, kindness, a love for learning, curiosity, perseverance, and gratitude. The ECCSS demonstrated reliability and validity through a rigorous process involving 217 Hong Kong parents. This novel instrument serves as a practical tool for research and applied character strength interventions while advancing the theoretical conceptualisation and measurement of character strengths in early childhood.Study 3 examines the impact of a character strengths intervention programme on young children's well-being, socio-emotional competence, and classroom behaviours in a Hong Kong kindergarten. This study is critical because it holistically evaluates the effects of a character strength intervention programme and the impact of character strengths on critical developmental domains in young children. Using mixed methods, the study reveals qualitative improvements in children's character strengths, well-being, classroom behaviours, and socioemotional competence, as reported by educators. Quantitative results were mixed, and not all hypothesised effects were supported. According to correlation and regression analyses, curiosity is the most crucial character strength associated with classroom behaviours and socioemotional competence. Overall, the findings highlight the importance and usefulness of incorporating strengths-based approaches into early childhood education settings.This dissertation contributes to positive psychology and character strength education by extending research into early childhood contexts. It demonstrates that character strengths in young children can be reliably measured and improved through targeted interventions. By focusing on this critical developmental period, the findings offer valuable insights for early childhood educators on incorporating character education into curricula and classroom activities, emphasising the importance of strengths-based approaches in early childhood education settings

LG51.H43 Dr 2024eb Hocmh

https://educoll.lib.eduhk.hk/records/uy8NX4Vf