The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Early Childhood Education and Suggestions for a Sustainable Early Childhood Education During the Health Crisis

Abstract

The research investigates the effects of the Coronavirus on the quality of early childhood education and suggests solutions to minimise the effects. This study is qualitative and uses an online questionnaire including open-ended questions. The participants are 24 preschool teachers who have face-to-face teaching experiences during the pandemic. The study was conducted in March 2021 in a city in Turkey. It aims to contribute to the conference by highlighting the lessons learned from the Coronavirus for early years education, and solutions for a sustainable early years education. This research first examines the negative effects of the pandemic on the quality of preschool education, and then it suggests solutions to diminish these effects. The findings are divided into two broad categories: (1) the effects of the pandemic on the quality of early childhood education and (2) a sustainable early childhood education during a health crisis. The findings from the first category show that interactions in classrooms decrease and children are increasingly becoming absent, having difficulties of adapting to the classroom. The children lack opportunities for outdoor activities. The second category of findings includes both pedagogical and administrative suggestions for a sustainable early childhood education.