Values education for preschool children within theframework of the reggio emilia approach: A Case study

This research was conducted to reveal the effects of values education activities prepared and implemented in line with the general principles of the Reggio Emilia approach on children receiving pre-school education and their efficiency in the value-adding processes. The research was carried out within an eight-week period using integrated games, experiments, drama, stories, songs, various preschool activities, videos and pictures as part of values education activities prepared and implemented in line with the general principles of the Reggio Emilia approach. The research used case study, one of the qualitative research designs. This design was preferred because it provides the chance to examine the research process in detail. The research group comprised 16 children, 11 boys and 5 girls, studying in Istanbul and their families. Values education activities were planned based on the developmental characteristics and ages of the children following the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach. The implementation process was evaluated based on observation reports produced by the teacher, interviews with families and child participants, and products created by families and children at the end of the process. The qualitative data obtained were analyzed by content analysis. As a result, this study determined that values education activities prepared and implemented in line with the Reggio Emilia approach had a positive effect on children's value perception. Values education activities following this approach contributed to the development of values such as justice, cooperation, cleanliness, respect, diligence, sharing, responsibility and not wasting, and to raising positive attitudes towards values education.