Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of working environment, recognition of professionalism and self-leadership on teacher-child interactions in the context of teachers that work with children in their early childhood.
Methods: Data were collected from 747 early childhood teachers by using instruments that assess working environment, recognition of professionalism, self-leadership and teacher-child interaction. The data were then analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and structural equational modelling.
Results: First, recognition of professionalism and self-leadership in teachers were found to have direct effects on teacher-child interactions. Second, recognition of professionalism in teachers was found to have an indirect effect on teacher-child interaction through self-leadership. Third, the working environment of teachers was found to have an indirect effect on teacher-child interactions through the recognition of professionalism and self-leadership. Finally, the recognition of professionalism in teachers was found to have the most important effect on teacher-child interactions.
Conclusion: Interventions for improving recognition of professionalism, self-leadership and working environment for teachers of children in their early childhood could help teacher-child interaction.