Determining the characteristics of an inclusive preschool education program: A Delphi study

Gülüzar Şule TEPETAŞ CENGIZ

African Educational Research Journal
Published: October 27 2020
Volume 8, Special Issue 2
Pages S251-S259
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30918/AERJ.8S2.20.053

Abstract

Inclusive education is considered to be an approach that consists of serving only the children with special educational needs in educational settings. However, a perspective that supports diversity among all children and requires respect for differences is increasingly implemented today on an international basis. Inclusive education is for all children. Use of inclusive approaches for all children at all levels of education is also significant to support all developmental areas. Inclusive education practices in early childhood period will enable children to access equal rights, opportunities and potential. For this reason, it is very important to present the inclusive features that should be found in preschool education programs today. Accordingly, this study seeks answers to the following question: "What should be the features of an inclusive preschool education program?” Case study method, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was used in this study. Delphi technique was used via interview questions and surveys to determine the characteristics of an inclusive preschool program in this study. The first round of the Delphi application started with 24 experts, the second round with 17 experts and the third round with 14 experts. Content analysis was used for the first responses received from the participants and categories were obtained. It was determined that the experts mentioned 52 items in 4 separate categories. The study determined some of the principles and characteristics that an inclusive preschool education program and an inclusive preschool teacher should possess.

Keywords: Inclusive education, pre-school education, pre-school education program.

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