Associations among preschool classroom chaos, work climates, and child outcomes

This study examined the associations between two unique features of classroom chaos (chaotic structure and chaotic atmosphere) in preschool settings and teacher-perceived child functioning, and the roles of teacher- and director-perceived work climates. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the nested data of 329 children within 53 classrooms. The study found distinct roles of chaotic structure and atmosphere. Moreover, the congruence/incongruence between teacher- and director-perceived work climates significantly moderated the associations between classroom chaos and teacher-perceived child outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of considering multidimensional preschool environments and promoting positive work climates perceived by both teachers and directors.