Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
4EEC055Early Childhood Education in Different Countries3+0+03401.11.2026
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Pre-School Teaching
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The aim of this course is to enable prospective preschool teachers to comprehend the historical, cultural, societal, and political contexts of early childhood education in various countries and to examine these countries ` early childhood education systems across key dimensions such as objectives, access, governance, financing, curriculum, teacher training, educational environments, teaching-learning processes, family involvement, and assessment. Furthermore, the course aims to enable prospective teachers to compare early childhood education policies and practices across different countries, critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of these practices, and discuss the applicability of international best practices within the Turkish context. The course also seeks to empower prospective teachers to monitor global trends and current developments affecting early childhood education, and to translate the knowledge and insights gained from diverse educational systems into implications for the improvement of early childhood education in Turkey.
Course Content This course covers the fundamental concepts and principles of comparative analysis within the fields of comparative education and early childhood education, as well as the criteria used to compare early childhood education systems. It examines early childhood education across different countries, addressing aspects such as historical development, governance and financing structures, policies regarding access and participation, curricula and pedagogical approaches, teacher training and competencies, learning environments, family and community involvement, inclusion and equity practices, and assessment approaches. The course analyzes early childhood education systems from countries representing diverse geographical regions and educational traditions, while evaluating international trends and examples of best practice in comparison with early childhood education in Turkey.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture, question-and-answer, discussion, case study analysis, problem-solving, brainstorming, small-group work, cooperative learning, document review, visual and video analysis, country study, comparative analysis, student presentations, and reflective assessment.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Asist Prof.Dr. Mihriban ÖZCAN https://profil.hku.edu.tr/akademik/mihriban-ozcan/ mihriban.ozcan@hku.edu.tr
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. MİHRİBAN ÖZCAN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing.
Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
Course Notes No.
Documents Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Dünyada Erken Çocukluk Eğitimi. Nobel Yayın. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Farklı Ülkelerde Karşılaştırmalı Eğitim: Okul Öncesi Eğitim Ağırlıklı. Nobel Yayıncılık

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Assignment 1 % 40
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
2
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 2 28
Presentation 1 30 30
Final examination 1 20 20
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 4 120

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Explains the fundamental characteristics of early childhood education systems in Turkey and other countries.
2 Explains the historical development of early childhood education in Turkey and other countries.
3 It examines early childhood education in Turkey and various other countries in terms of access to education and its prevalence, types of institutions, educational programs, learning environments, family involvement, and practices regarding children with special needs.
4 It explains teacher training systems for early childhood education in Turkey and various other countries.
5 It compares and evaluates early childhood education systems in various countries against Türkiye ` s system, based on established criteria.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Course Description Why is it important for a preschool teacher to examine the early childhood education systems of different countries? What criteria should be considered when evaluating a country ` s early childhood education system? Is it possible to directly implement an early childhood education practice that has proven successful in another country within Türkiye? Why? Syllabus
2 Early Childhood Education in Türkiye What key changes have occurred in the historical development of early childhood education in Türkiye? How would you evaluate Türkiye ` s early childhood education system in terms of access, types of institutions, curriculum, learning environments, and teacher training? What are the strengths of early childhood education in Türkiye, and what areas require improvement? Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
3 Early Childhood Education in the Netherlands What are the key features of the structure of early childhood education and care services in the Netherlands? From what needs did the practices aimed at supporting the early education of disadvantaged children in the Netherlands arise? What are the similarities and differences between the early childhood education systems in the Netherlands and Türkiye? Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
4 Early Childhood Education in Sweden How does the "educare" approach in Sweden address the relationship between education and care? How are children ` s rights, participation, and democratic values ??reflected in early childhood education practices in Sweden? Which features of early childhood education in Sweden are noteworthy from the perspective of Türkiye? Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
5 Early Childhood Education in Finland What is the role of play, child participation, and well-being in early childhood education in Finland? How does Finland’s early childhood education system address individual differences and diverse support needs? What key similarities and differences emerge when comparing the early childhood education systems of Finland and Türkiye? Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
6 Early Childhood Education in Italy What is the role of local governments in the early childhood education system in Italy? Why is the Reggio Emilia approach—with its specific understanding of the child, the teacher, the environment, and the family—significant for early childhood education in Italy? Compare early childhood education practices in Italy and Türkiye in terms of family involvement and educational environments. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
7 Early Childhood Education in France What are the key features of the *école maternelle* system in France? What are the potential advantages and limitations of strongly linking preschool education with primary education in France? Compare the early childhood education systems in France and Türkiye in terms of curriculum, access, and teacher training. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
8 Midterm Exams
9 Early Childhood Education in the United States How does the decentralized education system in the US affect the structure and practices of early childhood education? How do Head Start and similar programs contribute to ensuring equal opportunity in early childhood education? Compare the early childhood education systems in the US and Türkiye in terms of access, program diversity, inclusivity, and teacher training. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
10 Early Childhood Education in Germany What is the contribution of Fröbel and the Kindergarten tradition to the development of early childhood education in Germany? What differences in early childhood education arise from Germany ` s federal structure? Compare early childhood education in Germany and Türkiye in terms of curriculum, multiculturalism, inclusion, and teacher training. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
11 Early Childhood Education in Japan How are group life, independence, and responsibility fostered in early childhood education in Japan? How are the values ??of Japanese culture reflected in the early childhood education curriculum, the teacher ` s role, and daily classroom life? Compare early childhood education in Japan and Türkiye in terms of expected child behaviors, the teacher ` s role, and educational environments. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
12 Early Childhood Education in England What are the fundamental approach and priorities of the EYFS regarding early childhood education? How are play-based learning and the monitoring and assessment of children ` s development and learning linked in England? Compare the early childhood education programs in England and Türkiye in terms of learning areas, the role of the teacher, and the approach to assessment. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
13 Early Childhood Education in India How does India ` s socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic diversity affect the delivery of early childhood education services? Why is it important to address education, health, care, and nutrition services in a holistic manner during early childhood? Compare the early childhood education systems in India and Türkiye in terms of access, equal opportunity, and services provided to disadvantaged children. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
14 Early Childhood Education in Russia How has Russia ` s historical and social transformation influenced the development of its early childhood education system? How is the relationship between play, development, and school readiness addressed in early childhood education in Russia? Compare the early childhood education systems of Russia and Türkiye in terms of institutional structure, curriculum, and teacher training. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.
15 Early Childhood Education in New Zealand How is the holistic and relational educational approach of the Te Whariki curriculum reflected in early childhood education? Why is the inclusion of Maori culture, language, and values ??in the early childhood education curriculum important for culturally responsive education? Compare early childhood education in New Zealand and Türkiye in terms of curriculum approach, family and community involvement, and the assessment of children ` s development and learning. Aydoğan, Y. (Ed.). (2017). Early Childhood Education Around the World. Nobel Publishing. Başal, H. A. (Ed.). (2018). Comparative Education in Different Countries: With a Focus on Preschool Education. Nobel Publishing.

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14
C1 2 4 5 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 2
C2 2 3 5 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 4 3 1 2
C3 3 5 5 2 3 4 1 2 2 3 4 4 2 4
C4 2 4 5 2 3 4 1 2 2 2 4 4 2 3
C5 3 4 5 3 3 5 2 3 3 3 5 5 3 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant