The Roles of Hong Kong Preservice Early Childhood Teachers' Creativity and Zest in Their Self-efficacy in Creating Child-centered Learning Environments

Research Findings: This study investigated the relationships of preservice teachers' year of study in the teacher education program, creativity, zest, and self-efficacy in managing children's behaviors to self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments. Data were collected from 275 Hong Kong preservice teachers via self-reported questionnaires. Results showed that creativity had a direct positive linkage with self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments. Zest was associated with self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments, however, indirectly through self-efficacy in managing children's behaviors. Year of study was unrelated to both self-efficacies. Practice or Policy: Preservice teachers' creativity and zest can be conceptualized as personal resources for creating child-centered environments. Teacher education programs should therefore incorporate components of fostering pre-service teachers' own creativity and zest.