Comprehending Early Childhood Educators' Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Advocacy for Deep Learning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2026.1.377.398Keywords:
early childhood, educator’s perception, deep learning, early childhood educator, early childhood curriculumAbstract
Aim. The goal of this study was to look into how early childhood educator feel about deep learning, including their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and support for it.
Methods. This research employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey with 5,580 non-formal early childhood education instructors in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. We used an 18-item structured questionnaire to collect data. It asked about four areas: awareness of deep learning, attitudes and interest in implementation, deep learning–based teaching techniques, and hurdles and support for implementation.
Results. These results show that even while people have positive attitudes and are very interested, there are still practical problems. To use deep learning effectively, schools need to support it, teachers need to get professional development that is relevant to their work, and the curriculum needs to be in line with it.
Conclusions. Support from school leaders and educational institutions is crucial to close the gap between theory and practice and make sure that new ways of teaching are used successfully in early childhood education.
Downloads
References
Aidoo, B., Chebure, A., Gyampoh, A., Tsyawo, J., & Quansah, F. (2024). Assessing student teachers’ motivation and learning strategies in digital inquiry-based learning. Education Sciences, 14(11), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111233
Akyıldız, S., & Çelik, V. (2020). Thinking outside the box: Turkish EFL teachers’ perceptions of creativity. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 36, Article 100649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100649
Ali, M., Ali, A., & Hasanah, A. (2024). Challenges in Implementing contextual teaching and learning: A teacher perspective study. HORIZON: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary, 2(2), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.54373/hijm.v2i2.1706
Al-Mahdy, Y., & Elwakil, F. (2026). Empowering teachers for teaching innovation: Roles of change leadership, AI self-Efficacy, and innovative school climate. School Leadership & Management, 46(1), 83-110. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2026.2618203
Amemasor, S., Oppong, S., Ghansah, B., Benuwa, B., & Essel, D. (2025). A systematic review on the impact of teacher professional development on digital instructional integration and teaching practices. Frontiers in Education, 10, Article 1541031. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1541031
Amirova, N. (2025). Traditional vs. non-traditional teaching in secondary education: A comparative analysis. Porta Universorum, 1(3), 101–109. https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.010309
Anderson, R., Bousselot, T., Katz-Buoincontro, J., & Todd, J. (2021). Generating buoyancy in a sea of uncertainty: Teachers creativity and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 614774. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.614774
Arifiyanti, N., Dwiningrum, S. I. A., Syamsudin, A., & Harun. (2025). School resilience through quality management in early childhood education: A case study from Indonesia. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 14(1), 269–278. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i1.30384
Bassachs, M., Cañabate, D., Nogué, L., Serra, T., Bubnys, R., & Colomer, J. (2020). Fostering critical reflection in primary education through STEAM approaches. Education Sciences, 10(12), Article 384. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10120384
Calavia, M., Blanco, T., & Casas, R. (2021). Fostering creativity as a problem-solving competence through design: Think-Create-Learn, a tool for teachers. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 39, Article 100761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100761
Creswell, J. (1994). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
Dagnew, A. (2023). Implementation of active learning strategies: The case of secondary schools: Learning strategies. Revija za Elementarno Izobraževanje, 16(1), 13–15. https://doi.org/10.18690/rei.16.1.1315
Darling-Hammond, L., Flook, L., Cook-Harvey, C., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2019). Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 24(2), 97–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791
Darmanin, J. (2022). Activating the child’s own natural desire to learn: Using neuroscience as a way to understand key issues in early childhood development and education. Malta Journal of Education, 3(1), 45–58.
Darmanin, J., & Pulis, A. (2023). Activating the child’s own natural desire to learn: Educational neuroscience and the development of meaningful learning experiences. International Journal of Childhood Education, 4(2), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.33422/ijce.v4i2.475
De Albuquerque Rodrigues Casagrande, P., & Guisso, L. (2021). Neurosciences and education: An understanding of meaningful learning in early childhood education. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science, 8(7), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijaers.87.6
Ding, Y., & Li, Y. (2024). A study of preschool integration of deep learning to optimize the content of personalized education for young children. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.2478/amns-2024-2432
Duan, Y. (2022). Mathematics deep learning teaching based on analytic hierarchy process. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2022, Article 3070791. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3070791
Freliyanti, F. (2025). Learning strategies for Christian religious education using the deep learning approach to enhance critical and creative thinking at SMAN 1 Sigi. International Journal for Science Review, 7(1), 55–67.
Froehlich, D. E., Van Waes, S., & Schäfer, H. (2020). Linking quantitative and qualitative network approaches: A review of mixed methods social network analysis in education research. Review of Research in Education, 44(1), 244–268. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X20903311
Guillén-Martínez, D., Alcázar-Espinoza, J., Rámirez-Sánchez, I., Samaniego-Cobo, T., & Villacís-Macías, C. (2025). Policies, assistive technologies, and barriers in inclusive education: A global systematic review (2019–2024). Journal of Posthumanism, 5(2), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i2.418
Guiwen, J. (2023). A deep learning-oriented practical training course for computer application skills. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(6), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i06.38011
Guiwen, L. (2023). Teachers’ perceptions and implementation challenges of deep learning in early childhood education. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 9(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.9.1.45
Jakhelln, R., & Postholm, M. (2022). University–school collaboration as an arena for community-building in teacher education. Educational Research, 64(4), 457–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2022.2071750
Janiesch, C., Zschech, P., & Heinrich, K. (2021). Machine learning and deep learning. Electronic Markets, 31(3), 685–695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-021-00475-2
Jenßen, L., Dunekacke, S., Eid, M., & Blömeke, S. (2022). From teacher education to practice: Development of early childhood teachers' knowledge and beliefs in mathematics. Teaching and Teacher Education, 114, Article 103699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103699
Kim, S. J., & Hachey, A. (2020). Engaging preschoolers with critical literacy through counter-storytelling: A qualitative case study. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(4), 633–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01089-7
Komala, I., Wardani, Y., Khairiyah, A., & Arifin, B. (2025). Resource constraints: Teachers' challenges in implementing digital curriculum in remote areas. Journal of Social Science and Education Research, 2(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.59613/wjprmx85
Lamrani, R., & Abdelwahed, E. (2020). Game-based learning and gamification to improve skills in early years education. Computer Science and Information Systems, 17(1), 339–356. https://doi.org/10.2298/csis190511043l
Lang, S. N., Tebben, E., Luckey, S. W., & Buzzelli, C. A. (2024). Early childhood teachers' dispositions, knowledge, and skills related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 67, 259–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.12.005
Luciano, G., Yvonne, D., & Karen, M. (2022). How do children socially learn from narrative fiction: getting the lesson, simulating social worlds, or dialogic inquiry?. Educational Psychology Review, 34, 1445-1475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09667-4
Maromi, C., & Hasibuan, R. (2024). Increasing the competency of PAUD teachers in Sidoarjo Regency through leveled basic level training and integrated mentoring. Journal of Islamic Education Students (JIES), 4(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.31958/jies.v4i2.12475
Meng, N., Dong, Y., Roehrs, D., & Luan, L. (2023). Tackle implementation challenges in project-based learning: A survey study of PBL e-learning platforms. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(4), 1721–1743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10202-7
Murray, J. (2022). Young children's curriculum experiences. International Journal of Early Years Education, 30(4), 627–633. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2022.2149092
Mystakidis, S. (2021). Deep meaningful learning. Encyclopedia, 1(3), 988–997. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia1030075
Narmin, N. (2024). Challenges managers face in an innovative school environment. InterConf, 43(1), 87–94. https://doi.org/10.51582/interconf.19-20.09.2024.009
Niu, J., & Liu, Y. (2022). The construction of English smart classroom teaching mode based on deep learning. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2022, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9037010
Novida, N. (2025). Transformation of early childhood education teachers competencies in the digital era: A literature study on training needs in 2025. International Journal of Teaching, 2(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.61798/ijt.v2i1.285
Olop, J., Granström, M., & Kikas, E. (2024). Students’ metacognitive knowledge of learning-strategy effectiveness and their recall of teachers’ strategy instructions. Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1307485. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1307485
O'Reilly, C., Devitt, A., & Hayes, N. (2022). Critical thinking in the preschool classroom: A systematic literature review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 46, Article 101110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101110
Park, S. (2021). A study on the deep learning mechanism of Gen Z learners. Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education, 33(4), 929–944. https://doi.org/10.13000/jfmse.2021.8.33.4.929
Peters, S., Ehm, J., Wolstein, K., & Mischo, C. (2021). Profiles of German early childhood teachers’ pedagogical content beliefs and the relation to their competencies. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 58, 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.08.001
Pettalongi, S. (2025). Transforming education management strategies for realizing innovation and creativity based schools. Journal of Pedagogi, 2(1), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.62872/njatvy45
Polman, J., Hornstra, L., & Volman, M. (2020). The meaning of meaningful learning in mathematics in upper-primary education. Learning Environments Research, 24(3), 469–486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-020-09337-8
Riddel, M., & Zulfikar, I. (2024). The role of innovative leadership in transforming student learning effectiveness: A review of best practices and future directions. Development: Studies in Educational Management and Leadership, 3(1), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.47766/development.v3i1.1913
Romero, C., Vacas, C., Muñoz, E., Levterova, D., & Lazarov, A. (2025). Digital divide and accessibility in online education. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(4), 201–218. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i4.6605
Rolina, N., Agustiningsih, R., Muthmainah, M., Hayati, N., & Wulandari, R. (2025). An exploration of kindergarten teacher’s mastery motivation in Yogyakarta. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak, 14(2), 219–228. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpa.v14i2.2209
Salsabila, E. R., Wijayanti, A., & Wulandari, S. S. (2023). The digital teaching landscape: Investigating the roles of interest, self-efficacy, and experience in shaping TPACK. Al-Athfal: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak, 9(2), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.14421/al-athfal.2023.92-06
Sánchez, M. C., & Gutiérrez-Esteban, P. (2023). Digital pedagogical innovation and institutional support in educational transformation. Education Sciences, 13(2), Article 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020146
Sánchez, V., & Gutiérrez-Esteban, P. (2023). Challenges and enablers in the advancement of educational innovation: The forces at work in the transformation of education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 135, Article 104359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104359
Saqr, M., Matcha, W., Uzir, N., Jovanović, J., Gašević, D., & López-Pernas, S. (2023). Transferring effective learning strategies across learning contexts matters: A study in problem-based learning. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.8303
Sidhu, G. K., & Gage, N. A. (2021). Teacher professional development and institutional support for innovative teaching practices. Teaching and Teacher Education, 104, Article 103381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103381
Sinakou, E., Donche, V., Pauw, J., & Petegem, P. (2019). Designing powerful learning environments in education for sustainable development: A conceptual framework. Sustainability, 11(21), Article 5994. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11215994
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Sampling methods in research methodology; How to choose a sampling technique for research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management (IJARM), 5(2), 18-27. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3205035
Ting, Y. L., Hasanah, U., & Fitriyani, N. (2025). Developing an early childhood pre-service teacher instructional model based on meaningful learning theory to improve lesson design ability. Educational Process: International Journal, 10(3), 45–62.
Whinnery, S., Fogle, K., Stark, J., & Whinnery, K. (2020). Building collaborative teacher education: Integrating UDL through a faculty learning community. Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education, 5(2), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.5038/2379-9951.5.2.1161
Williams, K. E., Burr, T., L'Estrange, L., & Walsh, K. (2025). Early childhood educators' use of neuroscience: Knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and professional learning. Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 38, Article 100247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2025.100247
Wolstein, K., Ehm, J., Peters, S., & Mischo, C. (2021). Preschool teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and interaction quality in the domain of instructional support – do professional vision competencies moderate this relation?. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 29, 617-632. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293x.2021.1941171
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nur Cholimah, Nurul Arifiyanti , Eka Sapti Cahya Ningrum , Fitriana Tjiptasari , Martha Christianti , Nur Hayati , Oktaviana Maharani

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
CC-BY
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. All authors agree for publishing their email adresses, affiliations and short bio statements with their articles during the submission process.

