Comparison of Preschool Education Systems in Sweden, Finland, Japan, and Turkey

Eğitim Sistemlerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Aiming to support the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children aged 0-6 years, preschool education is the first level of education at which children enter formal education and has a critical importance in development in this context. Curricula and programs have been determined in line with the aims and principles of pre-school education in order to provide children with the skills that need to be developed in this age range within a pedagogical framework appropriate to their developmental levels. Different educational practices are carried out in different countries as a result of various variables such as culture, geography, socioeconomic level, level of development, religious and national values. In order to increase the effectiveness and quality of education, structures that can be improved in the current order can be determined by making use of comparative education practices. In this study, international rating criteria were taken into consideration in the selection of countries in order to reveal the aspects that distinguish our country's education system from different countries, to examine the dynamics that are missing or need to be developed in order to build a better structure, and to make comparisons between education systems for this purpose. In this context, the content of curricula and education programs, characteristics of preschool education institutions, educational environments and preschool teacher training processes in Sweden, Finland, Japan and Turkey were discussed. The similarities and differences between the education systems of the countries included in the scope of the study and our country were mentioned, and suggestions were made for the principle that the best interest of the child should be considered in preschool education.