Reconsidering the Citizenship Education in Turkey: Is Citizenship Education Possible in Preschools?

World Council for Curriculum and Instruction. California School of Education, Alliant International University, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA 92131. Web site: http://ijci.wcci-international.org/index.php/IJCI/about

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33

Foreign Countries; Citizenship Education; Preschool Education; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Social Studies; Teacher Competencies; Course Content; Concept Formation; Teaching Methods

1562-0506

This study aimed to examine the applicability of citizenship education - one of the main objectives of social studies education- in early childhood, considering the opinions of preschool teachers. The study used a case study design, involving a sample group of twenty-four preschool teachers. The data were gathered using semi structured interview forms and analyzed with content analysis using MAXQDA 2020. As a result, it appeared that the characteristics of traditional citizenship based on duties and responsibilities were dominant in preschool teachers' perceptions of citizenship though the characteristics of modern citizenship that prioritize rights and freedoms were observed as well. Also, the participants ascribed similar meanings to the concepts of good and efficient citizenship, and further asserted that developing an infrastructure for citizenship education in preschool would make significant contributions to subsequent learning processes. Emphasizing that preschool is a critical period, the teachers drew attention to the fact that this particular period can be a great opportunity for citizenship education. Additionally, they pointed out that teaching the issues related to citizenship during preschool could be conducted through such techniques as game-based teaching, narration through storytelling, and using animations or cartoons based on the theme of citizenship education.

As Provided

2021

EJ1312229