Preschool Teachers’ Pedagogical Awareness: A Key Competence

Abstract

In research, preschool teacher competence is highlighted as fundamental for children’s wellbeing, learning and development in preschool. This article aims to discuss pedagogical awareness as a key aspect of preschool teacher competence. The question explored is: How is preschool teachers’ pedagogical awareness expressed in relation to curriculum goals, contents and situations in preschool? The theoretical framework is based on interactionist perspectives and ecological systems theory, in which individuals and the environment influence and are influenced by one another in a continuous interaction (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1986). From a meta-perspective, consistency and inconsistency in preschool teachers’ expressions of views and standpoints on quality, organisation and children’s learning are analysed in relation to the Swedish preschool curriculum, research on preschool quality, preschool teacher competence and children’s early learning in preschool. The results highlight different qualities of pedagogical awareness in preschool teachers’ understanding of quality issues, organisation and curriculum goals. The results show that pedagogical awareness is central in preschool teachers’ self-education and lifelong learning processes and vital for creating high quality conditions for children’s learning and development in Swedish preschool.