Preschool education is an essential field of education aiming to offer high-quality educational experiences during the early childhood years, when the foundations of children’s development and learning are laid. Preschool teachers play a critical role in supporting children’s cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development holistically, taking into account individual differences, and ensuring their access to high-quality learning environments.
The main purpose of the Department of Preschool Education is to train preschool teachers who possess scientific knowledge of child development and learning, embrace a child-centered educational approach, hold competencies in planning, implementing, and evaluating the educational process, think critically and creatively, conduct research, utilize technology in line with pedagogical and ethical principles, remain sensitive to children’s rights and individual differences, and adhere to professional and ethical values. Emphasizing the integration of theoretical knowledge and practice, the program supports teacher candidates in acquiring professional experience across diverse educational environments.
Graduates of the program can work primarily in public and private preschool education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, as well as in various institutions and organizations providing early childhood education services in accordance with relevant legislation and employment conditions. Furthermore, our graduates can pursue graduate studies to conduct academic research in the field of early childhood education.
The Department of Preschool Education began admitting students to its undergraduate program in the 2015–2016 academic year, to its master’s program in the 2017–2018 academic year, and to its doctoral program in the 2019–2020 academic year. The period of study for the undergraduate program is four years, and the language of instruction is Turkish. In addition to undergraduate education, opportunities for scientific research, specialization, and academic development are provided through its graduate programs.