An investigation of parents and teachers perceptions of online teaching and learning in Kindergarten during the COVID -19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract An investigation of parents and teachers' perceptions of online teaching and learning in Kindergarten during the COVID -19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. This study explores kindergarten teachers’ and parents’ perceptions of online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in a programme developed in Saudi Arabia, known as distance learning, during this pandemic period. The data were collected and gathered for this study through semi-structured interviews with six kindergarten class teachers as well as open-ended surveys with seventy-four parents with children that participate in the distance learning programme. The data analysis was conducted using objective and descriptive statistical data analysis. The results of the data analysis identified three major themes, which included exploring kindergarten teachers’ and parents’ perceptions of online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, as well as opportunities for distance learning in early childhood. Most teachers and parents indicated that distance education had a negative impact on children for several reasons and challenges that will be clarified in this research study. Keywords: COVID-19, Saudi Arabia, online learning, primary school, school from