ERASMUS+ Project: Ethical Values for Preschool Children

About the project

In 2014, the preschools Mala akademija and Angelin vrtec from Slovenia, along with the preschool Gulten ve Omer Unlukahraman Anaokulu from Turkey, started working on a project about ethics for preschool children. Although all three use different preschool curricula (Mala akademija works based on the Slovenian Preschool Curriculum, Angelin vrtec follows the Montessori program, and the Turkish preschool follows the goals and principles of the Turkish national curriculum), we have long noticed that educators and parents lack the tools to teach values to preschool children. Therefore, we explored which values preschool children are able to understand, what their parents and educators think about teaching values to preschool children, analyzed how much values are present in the curricula of all three preschools, and how much education on this topic educators receive during their studies.

A review of relevant authors showed that the family and the preschool are the most important social institutions that can impart values to children. Many researchers believe that values should be introduced to children in preschool and also indicate which values preschool children can understand. Through a review of the literature, we identified which values parents consider important, the ways in which parents can instill values in preschool children, and what forms of parent training exist to improve the teaching of values to children. The scientific literature also suggests that educators are very important for the development of values among preschool children, that they should work on building their own ethics, and that cooperation between parents and educators is essential.

An analysis of the three different preschool curricula revealed that they contain goals, principles, and activities that often mention values. However, in all three curricula, activities in areas such as movement, language, art, social studies, science, and mathematics (among others) are much more detailed than those related to ethics. None of the curricula examined has a specific section on values or lists activities that educators could deliberately use in their everyday work. While the curricula express the opinion that educators should impart values to children within all activities, educators would need prior education on how to convey values to children. Upon reviewing higher education programs for educators, we found that in Slovenia, two out of three programs include one course on values; in Turkey, only 10 out of 53 public higher education programs for educators offer a course on values. In all cases except one, these courses are electives, not mandatory.

Based on this, we developed a manual with examples of various activities that can help educators and parents in teaching values to children. As people from different cultures and with different preschool curricula contributed to the development of the manual, each of us added something unique. Certainly, some activities may not suit certain preschools and may not be used, but we have made a start with examples and hope to develop more in the coming years to add to the manual.

As part of the project, we also prepared a video training aimed at educators and parents, which includes a series of activities that can develop values such as responsibility, respect, understanding right from wrong, self-confidence, politeness, helping others, cooperation, friendship, imagination, honesty, love, gratitude, etc., among preschool children. This training is available to parents and educators of all children in Slovenia, Turkey, and elsewhere in the world.

Partners

Leila, izobraževanje in raziskovanje, d.o.o.

Leila d.o.o. was established in 1989 as the first private organization in Slovenia for personnel recruitment. In 1992, it registered its educational and research activities. Within its educational activities, it has implemented various programs for unemployed individuals, as well as accredited secondary and higher education programs for Business Secretary. Leila d.o.o. is also a research organization registered in the Slovenian research organizations registry under number 1003.

In 2013, we also introduced preschool activities. The preschool is listed in the Register of Slovenian Preschools. Mala akademija provides care and education for children aged 11 months to 6/7 years. The preschool is open to children from all municipalities and countries. Each group in the preschool has two educators. We are also assisted by a Montessori educator, a pedagogical and technical director (with a master’s degree in education). All staff have certificates of no criminal record, workplace safety exams, and other relevant certifications. Our vision is to develop a preschool where children, parents, and staff feel good, so we strive for fair and friendly relationships.

Angelin vrtec

Angelin vrtec is an organizational unit of the Ursuline Institute for Education, Religious Activity, and Culture. Its founder is the Slovenian Province of the Ursulines of the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.

Angelin vrtec is a private Catholic preschool that operates according to the Montessori preschool program and is based on Christian values. It opened its doors to children and parents in January 2002.

Children are divided into three heterogeneous sections for the second age group (preschool, 3-6: yellow, green, and purple rooms) and two heterogeneous sections for the first age group (nursery, 1-3: orange and red rooms). In total, 87 children and 12 professional staff are involved in the preschool.

The preschool follows the Montessori program. The curriculum includes activities in areas that are part of the prepared environment. Children choose from various developmental materials, classified into the following areas:

  • everyday life,
  • sensory perception,
  • language,
  • mathematics,
  • art,
  • fine motor skills (especially for younger children),
  • science, and
  • religious education in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, conducted in a special room: the atrium.
  • Children can move around the room or outside in the playground, where they can choose outdoor activities, socialize, and explore. Due to the individual approach, the educator observes the work of each child, introduces new materials and activities, encourages independence, ensures a respectful atmosphere in the group, and prepares an appropriate environment for the child. The educator’s task is to help the child develop a constructive relationship with themselves, others, things, creation, and God. In an environment where they can explore and develop all their abilities, express their emotions and personality, this will also be an opportunity for the child to discover themselves and life together with others.

    More information about the preschool can be found on the website: http://ursulinke.rkc.si/angelin_vrtec.php

    Gulten ve Omer Unlukahraman Anaokulu, Turkey

    The school or preschool is located in the province of Kilis in southern Turkey. It is a public preschool, established in 2003 on an area of 4 hectares. The school building is 500 square meters, and the garden is 3.5 hectares. In the garden, with many flowers, children have the opportunity to play outdoors. Inside the school, there are rooms for the principal and assistant principal, for educators, a playroom, a conference room, a kitchen, an archive, and five classrooms. The children attending the preschool are between 4 and 6 years old. One group attends school from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the other from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. We teach children the Turkish language, how to take care of themselves, and develop their psychomotor skills, social-emotional development, and cognitive development. We work according to a curriculum that prepares children for primary school.

    The Gulten ve Omer Unlukahraman preschool places special emphasis on the socio-cultural development of children. To this end, it organizes various activities for them, such as concerts, plays, storytelling, annual events, and picnics. On such occasions, children play and dance.

    Research Study

    ETHICS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN (Authors: Marinko Irena, Marinko Jurij, Alič Cirila, Benec Čuk Ema, Burjek Janja, Emeršič Metod, Ipavec Nina, Istenič Vesna, Jerina Martina, Kržič Katarina, Le Roux Neža, Nidorfer Anja, Opeka Tina, Rezan Gültekin Rabia, Slakan Urška, Ünlükahraman Güllü, Zori Nalan, Zrimšek Pavlina)

    ETHICAL VALUES FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: RESEARCH STUDY (Prepared by: Alič Cirila, Benec Čuk Ema, Burjak Janja, Emeršič Metod, Ipavec Nina, Istenič Vesna, Jerina Martina, Kržič Katarina, Leroux Neža, Marinko Irena, Marinko Jurij, Nidorfer Anja, Opeka Tina, Rezan Gültekin Rabia, Slakan Urška, Ünlükahraman Güllü, Zori Nalan, Zrimšek Pavlina)

    Preschool Activities Guide for the Development of Ethics

    The guide contains numerous activities for teachers and parents of preschool children, helping them introduce ethical questions to children.

    Guide

    Ethics Curricula for Educators

    Higher Education Courses in Ethics for Educators

    Ethics Courses for Preschool Teachers

    Future Project Work

    Project Sustainability

    First Employment Project

    On August 1st, 2017, several Slovenian kindergartens started implementing the project “First Employment: I Am an Assistant Educator 2017–2018”. With this call, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport, together with the European Union (European Social Fund, Investment in Your Future), encourages the employment of first-time job seekers in the field of education. Through planned, organized, and professionally guided practical training, beginner assistant educators, aged up to 29 years, are introduced to educational work in kindergartens.

    In 2017-2018, Mala Akademija Kindergarten for the first time hired a young colleague for the project position of assistant educator. She became familiar with all possible tasks performed by assistant educators in the kindergarten, theoretically and practically prepared for the professional exam, and was permanently employed at the kindergarten after completing the training. In 2020, Mala Akademija hired another colleague under the First Employment project in the field of education for 2020. She also successfully completed the training and enrolled in a master’s degree program. Since the children at Mala Akademija Kindergarten include both foreign and Slovenian citizens, and all children are introduced to the English language, both colleagues additionally trained in foreign languages.

    We believe that the First Employment project is an excellent way for kindergartens to familiarize young individuals with the work, understand their aspirations for further professional development, and either employ them or direct them towards further studies.