Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills

Nermin Karabacak; Kevser Ozel

doi:10.66815/ajqr/19618

Nermin Karabacak ¹ ^* , Kevser Ozel ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 291-319

https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

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Abstract

In this research, aiming to contribute to the compatibility of the preschool education curriculum with 21st century skills, the goal was to investigate the reflections of experts about the compatibility of the preschool education curriculum outcomes and indicators with 21st century skills. As no research was found in which field workers evaluated and synthesized the compatibility of the preschool educational curriculum with 21st century skills in the literature, it is expected that this research will contribute to the field. In line with this aim, the research used a case study design from the qualitative research methods. In the research, a total of six academics, employed in public universities and working with preschool 21st century skills, were included as participants. The qualitative data for the research were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Data were analyzed with the thematic analysis method. The results of the research, when synthesized using an inductive approach, determined that the preschool curriculum outcomes and indicators did not provide intellectual development, and that critical thinking and logical activities were inadequate, along with experiments, non-curriculum activities and activities developing the imagination. The results of the research revealed that, as well as updating the preschool curriculum by supporting current 21st century skills in education, there is a need to cultivate employees in preschool educational institutions equipped with 21st century skills during preservice training.

Keywords: 21st century skills, preschool educational, reflection, preschool curriculum.

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Citation

Karabacak, N., & Ozel, K. (2026). Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(4), 291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

Karabacak, N., and Ozel, K. (2026). Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(4), pp. 291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

Karabacak N, Ozel K. Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(4), 291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

Karabacak, Nermin, and Kevser Ozel. "Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2026 10 no. 4 (2026): 291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

Karabacak, Nermin et al. "Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 10, no. 4, 2026, pp. 291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618

Karabacak N, Ozel K. Preschool Education Curriculum in Türkiye: Alignment with 21st-Century Skills. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(4):291-319. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/19618