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Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children
Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1869484295821721600 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Viljoen, Dorothea |
| author2 | Moen, Melanie |
| author_browse | Moen, Melanie Viljoen, Dorothea |
| author_facet | Moen, Melanie Viljoen, Dorothea |
| author_sort | Viljoen, Dorothea |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135607 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:12:37.849Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135607 Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children Viljoen, Dorothea Moen, Melanie Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology. School violence Violence in children Elementary school teachers -- Attitudes Early childhood education School environment Children -- Violence against Teacher-student relationships UCTD Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Viljoen, D. 2026. Foundation Phase Educators’ Perspective of Violence Against and Amongst Children. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/f3e680c3-9600-4b11-926a-a2e5d1b31792 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Violence against and among young children is a critical global concern with longlasting consequences for their development and well-being. In South Africa, this challenge is particularly pressing, given the high levels of community, domestic, and school-based violence. This study examined the perspectives of Foundation Phase educators on violence in primary schools, with a focus on children aged six to nine in the Western Cape. Adopting a qualitative, interpretive design, data were gathered through focus group discussions with educators and semi-structured interviews with school principals. Guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the study examined how children’s behaviours are shaped by observation and modelling, and how educators navigate their dual role as educators and protectors in contexts of violence. The study revealed that Foundation Phase educators encounter diverse forms of violence in their classrooms, including emotional, physical, and peer-related aggression, often normalised within the home and community contexts from which learners come. These experiences affect not only children’s emotional well-being and learning but also place a significant emotional and professional strain on educators, who frequently feel under-resourced and unsupported in responding effectively. Participants identified systemic barriers such as insufficient access to specialised support services and limited training in trauma-informed and compassionate care practices, which intensify their daily challenges. Despite these constraints, educators expressed a deep commitment to fostering safe, nurturing, and emotionally responsive classroom environments. By foregrounding the voices of educators , this research addresses a significant gap in the literature, offering practical recommendations for early intervention, policy development, and professional training. Ultimately, it contributes to strengthening protective educational spaces and promoting resilience in South Africa’s youngest learners. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie. Masters 2026-04-02T08:51:22Z 2026-04-02T08:51:22Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135607 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 155 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | School violence Violence in children Elementary school teachers -- Attitudes Early childhood education School environment Children -- Violence against Teacher-student relationships UCTD Viljoen, Dorothea Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title | Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title_full | Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title_fullStr | Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title_short | Foundation phase educators’ perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| title_sort | foundation phase educators perspective of violence against and amongst children |
| topic | School violence Violence in children Elementary school teachers -- Attitudes Early childhood education School environment Children -- Violence against Teacher-student relationships UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135607 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT viljoendorothea foundationphaseeducatorsperspectiveofviolenceagainstandamongstchildren |