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Reflecting on the concept of death: A qualitative investigation of the experiences among early childhood education teachers.

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Title: Reflecting on the concept of death: A qualitative investigation of the experiences among early childhood education teachers.
Authors: Koliouli, Flora (AUTHOR), Kouniou, Maria (AUTHOR)
Source: Death Studies. 2026, Vol. 50 Issue 6, p976-987. 12p.
Subjects: School environment, Work, Audiovisual materials, Empathy, Thanatology, Curriculum, Psychology of teachers, Death, Professional practice, Occupational roles, Preschools, Focus groups, Psychological distress, Government policy, Educators, Interviewing, Culture, Teaching methods, Emotions, Psychological adaptation, Thematic analysis, College teacher attitudes, Research methodology, Helplessness (Psychology), Communication, Professional employee training, Experiential learning
Geographic Terms: Greece
Abstract: This study explored preschool educators' experiences regarding the Pedagogy of Death in early childhood settings in Greece. Using reflexive thematic analysis, two superordinate themes were constructed from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with seven kindergarten teachers: psycho-emotional experiences and perceived role of educators. Participants reported dysphoric emotional reactions (fear, shock, pain, helplessness), empathic responses, and reflective emotions when addressing death-related topics. They described a multidimensional role involving acceptance of family beliefs, supporting and protecting children, and coping with death in the classroom. Personal experiences with loss significantly shaped their practices. Participants emphasized normalizing death discussions, using student-initiated opportunities, and creative visual aids. The findings highlight the complexity of addressing death in early education within the Greek cultural context, where religious beliefs, particularly Greek Orthodox views on death and the afterlife, are prominent. The study emphasizes the need for teacher training that integrates personal reflection, practical classroom strategies, and cultural sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Death Studies is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Reflecting on the concept of death: A qualitative investigation of the experiences among early childhood education teachers.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Koliouli%2C+Flora%22">Koliouli, Flora</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kouniou%2C+Maria%22">Kouniou, Maria</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Death+Studies%22">Death Studies</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 50 Issue 6, p976-987. 12p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+environment%22">School environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work%22">Work</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Audiovisual+materials%22">Audiovisual materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thanatology%22">Thanatology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum%22">Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychology+of+teachers%22">Psychology of teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Death%22">Death</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+practice%22">Professional practice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+roles%22">Occupational roles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschools%22">Preschools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Focus+groups%22">Focus groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+distress%22">Psychological distress</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Government+policy%22">Government policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educators%22">Educators</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Culture%22">Culture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+methods%22">Teaching methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+adaptation%22">Psychological adaptation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+teacher+attitudes%22">College teacher attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Helplessness+%28Psychology%29%22">Helplessness (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication%22">Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+employee+training%22">Professional employee training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experiential+learning%22">Experiential learning</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Greece%22">Greece</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study explored preschool educators' experiences regarding the Pedagogy of Death in early childhood settings in Greece. Using reflexive thematic analysis, two superordinate themes were constructed from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with seven kindergarten teachers: psycho-emotional experiences and perceived role of educators. Participants reported dysphoric emotional reactions (fear, shock, pain, helplessness), empathic responses, and reflective emotions when addressing death-related topics. They described a multidimensional role involving acceptance of family beliefs, supporting and protecting children, and coping with death in the classroom. Personal experiences with loss significantly shaped their practices. Participants emphasized normalizing death discussions, using student-initiated opportunities, and creative visual aids. The findings highlight the complexity of addressing death in early education within the Greek cultural context, where religious beliefs, particularly Greek Orthodox views on death and the afterlife, are prominent. The study emphasizes the need for teacher training that integrates personal reflection, practical classroom strategies, and cultural sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Death Studies is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=194165682
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2511254
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 976
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: School environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Audiovisual materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empathy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thanatology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology of teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Death
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional practice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Occupational roles
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Focus groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological distress
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Government policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educators
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological adaptation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College teacher attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Helplessness (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional employee training
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experiential learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Greece
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Reflecting on the concept of death: A qualitative investigation of the experiences among early childhood education teachers.
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            NameFull: Koliouli, Flora
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            NameFull: Kouniou, Maria
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            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: 2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
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              Value: 50
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              Value: 6
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