The degree of a kindergarten principal's practicing of leadership Skills in light of Kathleen Sanford's theory of "leaders with Love". Field study in governmental and private kindergartens in Damascus city.

Abstract

The research aims to know the degree of the kindergarten principal's practicing leadership skills in the light of Kathleen Sanford's theory of "leading with love" in public and private kindergartens in Damascus,and to identify the differences among the estimates of the research sample members of the degree of the kindergarten principal's practicing leadership skills in the light of Kathleen Sanford’s theory according to the kindergarten dependency variable (special, general) and the number of years of experience.

To achieve this, the researcher prepared a questionnaire addressed to principals of public and private kindergartens. In its final form, it consisted of (60) items distributed over five areas which are the principal's love for the kindergarten, the principal's love for the children, the principal's love for staff at the kindergarten, the principal's love for herself, and the principal's love for society which are aspects of Kathleen Sanford's "leadership with love" theory.

The research sample consisted of (72) kindergarten principals, including (18) governmental and (54) private, and the results of the research showed that the degree of practicing leadership skills among the members of the research sample came to an average degree.

The results of the research also showed that there are no statistically significant differences among the estimates of the principals of kindergartens in the city of Damascus to the degree of their practicing of leadership skills in the light of Kathleen Sanford's theory of "leadership with love" according to the kindergarten affiliation variable, While there were statistically significant differences among the estimates of the principals of kindergartens according to the number of years of experience variable in favor of the principals with higher experience (10 years or more).

The research concluded with a set of recommendations that would develop the skills of the kindergarten principal, including raising the efficiency of the principals of kindergartens and working to enhance leadership skills by involving them in specialized training courses and applying modern leadership styles in kindergarten institutions such as leadership by goals, democratic leadership, and leadership with love in order to spread awareness of the importance of effective leadership styles.