The seven colors of Türkiye: investigation of the effectiveness of respect for cultural differences education program for preschool teachers

KURU N., ERDOĞAN S., KOÇ TÜYLÜ D., PARPUCU N.

EUROPEAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL, vol.32, no.5, pp.752-771, 2024 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/1350293x.2024.2322520
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.752-771
  • Keywords: early childhood education, intercultural approach, Respect for differences, sustainable development goals, teacher education
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This research aims to increase the cultural sensitivity of preschool children and their teachers living in different regions of Turkiye through education in respect to differences. It employed an experimental design with pre-test post-test control group including 26 teachers along with 261 children aged 48-72 months. The study was conducted in three stages. In the first stage, the preparatory step, teachers were given six-hour training regarding respect for cultural differences. After the teacher training, they received 84 h of mentoring support for six weeks during the design process of the Seven Colors of Turkiye: Respect for Differences Activities. Teachers from seven regions of Turkiye created activity bags in accordance with the established activity plans. All bags from the regions were implemented after a 7-week bag change procedure. According to the research, both teachers and students strengthened their cultural awareness and students' respect for differences developed.