The professional adaptation experiences of novice kindergarten teachers with bachelor's degrees in China

• DOI: 10.15409/riece.2024.26.4.17
• Publication Date: 2025-01-23T01:12:07Z
• Authors: Qing-Yu Jiang; Youn-Chul Choi
• Keywords: Bachelor

The number of novice kindergarten teachers with bachelor’s degrees in China has grown significantly over the past decade. From 2011 to 2021, graduates majoring early childhood education increased by 230,000, reflecting a rapid expansion degree holders. However, since 2022, enrollment programs declined, partly due growing struggling job adaptation. This highlights need for support career preparation and adaptation.This study examines challenges faced these during their initial stages how they overcome them. Through in-depth interviews, four key issues were identified: unclear planning, excessive expectations, gap between theory practice, lack belonging. Teachers addressed through psychological adjustment, imitating experienced colleagues, from family friends, achieving successful adaptation.The findings emphasize systematic help address difficulties. Policy institutional efforts are essential narrow professional expectations reality, ensuring better adaptation graduates.