Anthropocentric and ecocentric epistemological orientations toward sustainability among Turkish preschool teachers
Yazarlar (2)
Doç. Dr. Gökhan KAYA Kastamonu Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Prof. Dr. Berat AHİ Kastamonu Üniversitesi, Türkiye
| Makale Türü | Özgün Makale (SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayınlanan tam makale) | ||
| Dergi Adı | Early Years (Q3) | ||
| Dergi ISSN | 0957-5146 Wos Dergi Scopus Dergi | ||
| Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler | SSCI | ||
| Makale Dili | İngilizce | Basım Tarihi | 12-2025 |
| Cilt / Sayı / Sayfa | 0 / 1 / – | DOI | 10.1080/09575146.2025.2602058 |
| Makale Linki | https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2025.2602058 | ||
| Özet |
| This study explores how Turkish preschool teachers conceptualize sustainability through their epistemological orientations and the implications of these views in early childhood education. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 preschool teachers from ecologically diverse regions in Türkiye. The analysis revealed two primary orientations: an anthropocentric view (n = 13), focused on human welfare and intergenerational responsibility, and an ecocentric view (n = 4), emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature and ethical care for all living beings. These perspectives were shaped by the teachers’ educational backgrounds, personal experiences with nature, and sociocultural contexts. The findings suggest that educators’ epistemic beliefs influence how sustainability is framed in early learning environments, potentially affecting children’s emerging environmental ethics. This study offers insights for early childhood teacher education programs aiming to foster ecological literacy and promote broader ways of knowing. By revealing belief systems guiding sustainability pedagogy, it contributes to early childhood education policy and practice in Türkiye. |
| Anahtar Kelimeler |
| early childhood environmental education | environmental ethics | Epistemological development | preschool teachers | sustainability pedagogy |
BM Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
| Atıf Sayıları |