A1 Journal article (refereed)
Consultative roles of early childhood special education teachers : A modeler, an advisor, and a spontaneous practitioner (2025)

Jokimies, E., Heiskanen, N., Savolainen, H., & Närhi, V. (2025). Consultative roles of early childhood special education teachers : A modeler, an advisor, and a spontaneous practitioner. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 70, 358-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.11.005

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Jokimies, Erika; Heiskanen, Noora; Savolainen, Hannu; Närhi, Vesa

Journal or series: Early Childhood Research Quarterly

ISSN: 0885-2006

eISSN: 1873-7706

Publication year: 2025

Publication date: 16/11/2024

Volume: 70

Pages range: 358-366

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.11.005

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/98519

Abstract

This study focused on the ways in which early childhood special education teachers (ECSETs) perform their consultative work and the prevailing structural factors that are connected to it. The significance and centrality of ECSETs’ consultative work have increased as a growing number of ECSETs provide consultative support to other personnel with the aim of enhancing support for children's daily lives in early childhood education and care (ECEC). However, we have limited research-based knowledge about the consultative work done by ECSETs. Therefore, a more comprehensive examination of consultative practices and the factors influencing them is needed. We administered a survey on ECSETs’ (N = 207) consultative work focusing on ECEC in Finland. Using cluster analysis, we identified three consultative work profiles in ECSETs’ practices: a modeler, an advisor, and a spontaneous practitioner. This exploratory study contributes to understanding ECSETs' consultative work, creating potential for further development in this area.

Keywords: special needs teachers; special education (teaching); early childhood; early childhood education and care; early childhood education and care teachers; consulting; specialists (experts)

Free keywords: early childhood special education teacher (ECSET): consultation; consultative work; early childhood education and care (ECEC); special education; itinerant consultant

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2025

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2