Analyzing the Ideas of Elementary School Teachers about the Concept of "Child-Friendly School"

The present study aims to analyze the ideas of elementary teachers about the concept of "child-friendly school" toextract components and its obstacles. The research method applied was phenomenological and the study samples included 24 elementary teachers in Tehran who had low, medium and high levels of teaching experience. The data for study was collected through semi-structured interviews which were performed on the basis of theoretical saturation. The method of data analysis used was Brown and Clark ' thematic analysis (2006). Based on the theme analysis, 13 basic themes 5 organizing and a main theme  were identified as the child-friendly school components. In addition, 7 basic themes, 3 organizing themes and an overarching theme were recognized as the barriers to the realization of a child-friendly school. Finally, it should be mentioned that due to several obstacles, there are no conditions to create such atmosphere in many Iranian schools, especially public schools.