Opportunities for the development of ecological competence of the future preschool teachers

Abstract

The preschool period plays a key role in environmental education and shaping attitudes towards the environment. It is therefore important that preschool teachers are equipped to provide students with the necessary training in their early stages. This study aims to evaluate the new opportunities for the development of the ecological competencies of future preschool teachers in terms of the views of pre-service teachers. This research was conducted using a qualitative design. The participants of the research consisted of 33 students studying in the 3rd and 4th grades of the preschool teaching department at various universities in Kazakhstan in the 2021-2022 academic year. As a data collection tool, the researchers created a semi-structured interview form. From the result of the research, pre-school teacher candidates found themselves at a medium level in terms of ecological competencies. Pre-school teacher candidates evaluated ecological attitudes and behaviors in the categories of environmental awareness, sensitivity, and volunteerism.