Training Of Future Educators Research Articles

Current Experience in the Use of Digital Educational Resources: Future Primary School Teachers’ Training

The article presents theoretical insight into thorough analyses of the outstanding experience and best practices in using digital educational resources by educators. We attempt to integrate these findings into training students who obtain a Master’s degree in Primary Education. Intensive use of information and communication technologies has proved efficient in preparing a new generation of innovative highly skilled would-be teachers for primary school in recent years. Although Ukrainian practice in this context is significant, however, huge accomplishments of the best world researchers still produce a noticeable impact on education advancement in many countries. The author draws attention to the relevant issue of training future educators in primary school to use digital open educational resources in their professional activities. The best practical experience of eminent Ukrainian and foreign scholars and teachers was analyzed. The suggested digital resources are examined on the field, purpose, and efficiency of their application with primary school children. The article highlights the educational potential of the popular tools for interactive online and offline communication and assessment of learning outcomes; vivid presentation of the educational content; creative thinking and soft skills development in the classroom as well as automated writing evaluation. Frequent challenges and hardships that educators have to deal with while using digital tools in the classroom are singled out and some solutions to the problem are suggested. The author points out the urgent necessity for young educators to gain new knowledge and skills for not only personal growth and self-development but also, for greater opportunities to be competitive in the contemporary labor market.

FEATURES OF THE PREPARATION OF FUTURE TEACHERS FOR WORK IN PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

The article reveals the specifics of training future teachers to work in preschool education institutions in terms of requirements for their professional activity. It was established that the future teachers of the preschool education institution, first of all, need to work with parents, since the closest environment of the child is the family. Certain aspects of the activities of future educators are disclosed, in which they should pay attention to the individual determination of children’s physical load. The possibilities of the preschool education institution in building its functioning in the direction of modernity, its relations with the surrounding society are revealed. It was established that in order to prepare the future teacher for interaction with the micro-environment of the preschool education institution, it is necessary to teach him to apply various directions of the organization of the innovative institution. It has been proven that the training of future educators can be effective on the basis of knowledge of modern principles of development and formation of a healthy lifestyle for children and parents. The necessity of training future educators to ensure the psychological safety of children during their stay in a preschool institution is revealed. The ability to clearly distinguish personal traits and peculiarities of a child’s mental state, to diagnose signs of children’s stress state, has been established. The main forms and methods of work of future educators regarding the formation of the need for a healthy lifestyle in preschool children have been determined. The principles of openness-closedness, which future educators should follow in their professional activities, are revealed. The main trends in the training of future preschool teachers have been established, which are related to the creation of a full-fledged space for the child’s development and the organization of comprehensive support for the individual development of preschool children. In the preparation of the future educator, special attention is paid to the personality of each child as the highest social value of society, instructions are given for the formation of a citizen with high intellectual, moral and physical qualities. This involves the creation of prerequisites for the development of activity, initiative and creativity of pupils and teachers, their interested interaction, as well as broad public participation in the management of preschool education.

Scoping review of healthcare professionals’ views on intimate partner violence in the Middle East and North Africa

ObjectivesThis scoping review aims to survey healthcare providers (HCPs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) about their knowledge, attitudes and barriers to working with women who have experienced...

Innovation in Islamic Religious Education for Elementary School Students by Empowering Sophisticated Digital Resources

Modern religious education faces difficult challenges caused by rapid technological advances and changes in the socio-cultural environment. One of its main tasks is to improve the quality of religious education and ensure the effectiveness of religious learning in elementary schools. The dissemination of knowledge through technology is an urgent matter but it is also necessary to develop competencies and adapt to today's world. The aim of the research is to analyze and improve the methodological competence of educators by using digital educational resources for religious education. The research method used was empirical with a total of 360 respondents. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews and surveys, monitoring student learning activities, studying teacher experiences, conducting practical-experimental discussions, and surveys, as well as analyzing and evaluating student work results. Analysis techniques include methodological reflection, critical evaluation, quality revision, and analysis of methods and exercises used in terms of suitability and effectiveness. As a result, digital educational resources were found to be an effective method in forming the professional orientation of future religious educators. These findings encourage the professional training of future educators and to improve professional qualifications in basic education institutions. In conclusion, the importance of integrating digital technology into the educational process to improve the quality of education and develop student competencies.

THE ESSENCEOF TRAINING FUTURE SOCIAL EDUCATORSIN SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP

In an independent country living within socio-economicrelations, it is essential to bring the human capital to the level of a state that meets the requirements of potential employers and is in high demand. At the same time, it is considered one of the main tasks of the education system to prepare future social educators on the basis ofsocial partnership, examine the interests of each party participating in the partnership, and professional development of future specialists. One of the strategic goals of the education sector and the country's economy is the competitive potential of pedagogical universities and their graduates. Moreover, it is crucial to guidethe process of training future educators with new technologies. The purpose of this article is to find effective ways to train future social educators according to the latest standards and requirements in the context of attracting potential employers and professionals using social partnership technology based on empirical analysis. The role of future employers was analyzed through a survey of future professionals and expert interviews. The roles of potential employers, higher education institutions and the state in training future educators were differentiated. Inthis article, it was concluded that social partnership is one of the necessary technologies for preparing future social educators according to modern requirements and standards. The conclusion of the empirical analysis reveals the practical importance of the article in the quality and professional training of future social educators in universities.

PROBLEMS OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE EDUCATORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN IN THE CONDITIONS OF AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The article raises the issue of professional training of future educators for the development of children's creative potential in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment. The key object of the educational process in the modern educational paradigm is the personality of the child, who is able to critically perceive reality, analyse, propose ideas for solving tasks, realize his/her own uniqueness, the need for the development of individual abilities. The development of creative potential of a preschool child is aimed at forming the foundation for revealing the potential of each child in accordance with his needs, abilities, etc. The problem of the development of children's creative potential is intensified by the integration of inclusive education into the educational space of regular preschool education institutions, which puts forward new requirements for the professional training of educators who ensure the comprehensive development of all children in a single inclusive educational environment, adaptation and socialization of children with special educational needs in interaction with peers. Based on the analysis of scientific, pedagogical and methodological literature, the author highlights contemporary problems related to the research topic: the integration of inclusive education in Ukraine continues and has both positive developments and unresolved problems at the state and regional levels that slow down the achievement of the goal; the involvement of children with special educational needs in regular preschool education institutions requires in-depth improvement in order to expand opportunities for all children; lack of a model for the development of children's creative potential under the conditions of an inclusive educational environment; insufficient number of necessary specialists to work in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment; the need to modernize the variable component of professional training of future educators. The author comes to the conclusion that solving the above-mentioned problems requires targeted, thorough and long-term practical research in order to improve the quality of education, the productive development of the creative potential of each child in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment.

IMPLEMENTATION OF STEM EDUCATION IN THE PROCESS OF PROFESSIONALTRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS

The article is devoted to the topical issue of introducing STEM-education into the process of professional training of future teachers. The introduction substantiates the relevance of the research related to the needs of information society for specialists who possess STEM-competencies. The problem statement lies in defining effective strategies, methods, and practices for integrating STEM-approaches into pedagogical education, as well as evaluating their impact on training future teachers for modern educational environments. The analysis of recent research provides insights into the theoretical foundations of STEM-education and the experiences of implementing STEM-approaches in education both in Ukraine and abroad. The theoretical framework of the study is grounded in the works of domestic and international scholars in STEM-education, pedagogy, and psychology. The research results reveal effective strategies, methods, and practices for implementing STEM-approaches in pedagogical education and assess their influence on the formation of STEM-competencies in future teachers. The conclusions summarize the research findings and outline prospects for further research in this field. The article underscores the importance of implementing STEM-education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the training process of future teachers. The authors justify the necessity of integrating STEM-competencies into pedagogical practice in light of contemporary educational demands and the job market. They analyze approaches to integrating STEM-education into teacher training programs and highlight methods and tools that facilitate effective preparation of educational professionals with a STEM-component in mind. Furthermore, the article examines the challenges and prospects of implementing STEM-education in higher pedagogical education and provides recommendations for further research and development in this field. The conclusions of the article contribute to understanding and developing strategies for implementing STEM-education in the training of future educators with the aim of enhancing their competitiveness in the modern job market.

Training Future Educators: the Significance of Ergonomic Approaches in Crafting Safe Educational Spaces in Kazakhstan

Training Future Educators: the Significance of Ergonomic Approaches in Crafting Safe Educational Spaces in Kazakhstan

Simplifying the Puzzle: How Computational Thinking and Abstraction Can Help Teachers Conquer Classroom Complexity

The investigation examines the utilization of abstraction and computational thinking by educators to effectively navigate the complexities encountered in the educational setting. It underscores the significance of these cognitive capacities in the examination and determination of intricate issues. To facilitate students in problem-solving and decision-making, educators can utilize computational thinking to break down challenging issues into more manageable components. Two capacities that educators can utilize to apply their knowledge in various circumstances are the identification of patterns and the extrapolation of abstract notions. This research study demonstrated the utility of abstraction and computational thinking in equipping educators with the necessary tools to address classroom issues, which is particularly valuable for curricula focused on training future educators. The study not only identifies potential challenges but also offers recommendations for overcoming the difficulties that teachers may encounter when implementing these ideas in the classroom. By employing these tactics and recommended solutions, educators can help students improve their analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities, thus preparing them for the challenges of the digital era.

Психолого-педагогічні аспекти розвитку малюнків старших дошкільників засобами музики

The article is devoted to highlighting the psychological and pedagogical aspects of the problem of the development of drawings of 5–6-year-old children by means of music. The presented content is the result of experimental pedagogical research, which proves the hypothesis that the use of music in the pedagogical process contributes to the child’s interest in drawing, the development of his/her visual thinking and artistic imagination, the emergence of the creative idea of the drawing and the enrichment of its content, affects the expressiveness and general aesthetics of the drawing. The psychological aspect of the development of drawings consists of creating conditions and helping the educator to develop the child’s artistic attitude to the perception of a musical piece, interest, and readiness for image creation, creating an imaginary image, and the desire to visualize it by means of painting. The pedagogical aspect consists of the development and substantiation of pedagogical conditions for the development of a drawing by means of music. These are defined as follows: training of future educators and self-education of educators in the field of musical art, competence in the field of image formation of older preschoolers; adequate selection of musical works; selection and justification of forms of pedagogical work, methods of interaction, visual tasks, etc. The main pedagogical condition is the educator’s willingness to help the child develop the ability to transfer imaginary images inspired by musical accompaniment into a picture. Music, adequately involved in the pedagogical process, contributes to the development of the child’s emotional sphere, awakens creative imagination, and creates space for the development of his/ her visual thinking. The child’s experience of perceiving music in images, combined with the experience of artistic and aesthetic self-expression and creative invention in the search for image methods and expressive means of painting, has a positive effect on the content and expressiveness of his/her drawings. The drawing develops from a scheme to an original artistic image.

Preparation of future educators for pedagogical support of play activities of young children

Relevance. Health-preserving competence is an important component of the professionalism of teachers of preschool education institutions and a necessary condition for the implementation of pedagogical support of early age children's play activities (outdoor games and play exercises). The purpose of the study is to highlight the peculiarities of professional training of future educators for pedagogical support of play activities of early age children. The objectives are to determine the criteria and development level of qualification competence assessment for pedagogical support implementation of outdoor game, to analyze the content and technological components of students' professional training for pedagogical support of early age children's play activities. Brief overview of the research results. It was revealed that students have certain difficulties in the implementation of play activities of early age children (play exercises for the movements development). Conclusions were drawn about the insufficient effectiveness of students' professional training for educational interaction with early age children in the field of physical education. This led to the necessity to improve the contents of the work program of the discipline "Health-Preserving Technologies in Preschool Education" for 012 Preschool Education students. As well as to improve the contents and methodological tools for conducting educational classes, that would reflect a unified systematic approach to the formation of professional competence of future educators in the field of physical education of early age children. Conclusions. Improvement of the content of the program and educational classes, careful consideration of the task system and their quality implementation create the basis for the full mastery of the content component of the discipline for further professional activity with early age children.

Структурування навчальних цілей у психологічній підготовці майбутніх вихователів

The article presents a view on the specific features of future preschool educators’ professional development. It actualizes the issue of the effective use of educational and professional activity resources for the formation of students’ reflective and prognostic skills, developing cognitive patterns of their future activities. The importance of student’s understanding and use of knowledge about the children’s psychological characteristics in the organization of interaction with them, their care, education, and the establishment of collaboration with children’s parents is recognized. The basis for the professional growth of future educators is considered in the context of structuring the learning objectives of studying children’s psychology, which, on the one hand, determines the scientific selection of means and methods of creating an educational environment for the child, and on the other hand, encourages the extrapolation of psychological knowledge to other educational components and the practice of teaching, upbringing and development of preschool children. The purpose of this research was to disclose the content of cognitive patterns of future preschool educators in the process of learning facts, rules and mechanisms of children’s psychological development, taking into account the system of learning objectives. According to the modern interpretation of Bloom’s taxonomy, the author of the article offers detailed information on cognitive processes and a system of relevant tasks that ensure the acquisition of factual, conceptual, procedural and metacognitive knowledge about children's psychological phenomena and their determination. The idea of a value-based attitude to the child is recognized as a key element of psychological training of future educators and a guideline in choosing its purposeful components. It is argued that a value-based attitude towards the child is an important component in the construction of a matrix of understanding the child in the dimensions of their personality formation, development of their individuality and subjectivity, while the main approaches and logic of its accumulation in students are substantiated. Keywords: idea of a value-based attitude to a child, taxonomy of learning objectives, context of interaction, patterns of cognitive activity, educational and professional activities, professional training.

Professional training of future educators for the organization of health care for young children: methodical aspects

The article is devoted to the methodological aspects of the problem of professional training of students of specialty 012 Preschool Education of the first (bachelor's) level of higher education in the organization of physical education and health care of young children. The quality of professional training of future teachers is determined as an important criterion of the state and effectiveness of the modern system of preschool education The basics of technology of professional training of bachelors of preschool education, ways of forming intellectual, practical skills of students are considered. The mechanisms for improving the quality of professional training of future educators in health-preserving activities in early childhood groups are determined. The difficulties that arise for future educators in the organization of physical education and health protection in early childhood groups are identified. The ways of solving the tasks defined in the article are proposed. The factors influencing the increase of motivation for the effectiveness of students' learning activities in the process of preparation for health-preserving activities in early childhood groups are determined. The importance of the developmental nature of the teacher's interaction with young children in the organization of physical education is substantiated. The necessity of forming in future educators an understanding of health-saving activities as a process of strengthening and shaping children's health and the process of instilling healthy lifestyle skills is substantiated. It is determined that the methodological tools (problem-based lectures, operational and business games, subject-subject interaction, creating a situation of success, etc.) are an important factor in increasing the motivation for the effectiveness of students' learning activities

The content and structure of training future educators for the formation of communicative competence in children of preschool age

The article substantiates the essence, peculiarities of the structure and content of the training of future educators for the formation of communicative competence in preschool children. The solution to this problem is facilitated by the educational component «Technologies for the development of children’s speech and familiarization with literature», which includes the following content modules: «Innovative technologies in preschool education», «Technological approach to the development of speech of children of early and preschool age», «Game and interactive technologies in speech and literary activities», «Technological approach in familiarizing preschool children with fiction» and «Technology of reflective approach to interaction with fiction text». The educational component is aimed at forming students’ general and professional competencies. The article presents the results of a mini-survey of students based on the results of studying each module; a diagnostic section of the formation of students' communicative competence was conducted, which necessitated the development of criteria, levels and their indicators. Interactive technologies for working with students are highlighted; creation of the necessary conditions for the formation of communicative competence; effective use of modern forms of educational interaction with all participants in the educational process

Developing a Guide for a Mathematics Teacher Preparation Program: An Evaluation Study

This study aims to evaluate and develop the mathematics teacher preparation program at the College of Education in Sohag, utilizing a set of national and international standards. The primary objectives include diagnosing the current state of the program, establishing clear goals, standards, and skills for mathematics teacher preparation, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation results highlight notable strengths, such as the presence of experienced faculty members with diverse backgrounds and the program's success in fostering positive attitudes towards the teaching profession. Additionally, the availability of various laboratories enhances students' academic and professional readiness. However, the study also identifies important weaknesses, including a traditionalist approach that fails to keep pace with current advancements. The objectives and standards of the program are found to be unclear and general, lacking specificity in the desired skills and competencies for teacher preparation. The study further reveals a lack of comprehensive descriptions and objectives for academic courses, insufficient emphasis on incorporating educational innovations into the curriculum, and a weak connection between the scientific content of the program and practical teaching applications. Additionally, the evaluation methods employed in the current program are deemed in need of development and diversification, as they primarily focus on rote memorization rather than measuring deeper understanding and application of knowledge. The creation of a comprehensive guide for the "Mathematics Teacher Preparation Program" underscores the crucial role of teachers as fundamental elements in the educational process. The guide has been meticulously developed using scientific methods, aiming to address a gap in the internal regulations of the College of Education in Sohag. It serves as a valuable resource for all individuals involved in the preparation of Mathematics Division students at the college, particularly those who will graduate and embark on careers as mathematics teachers. The guide presents the methodological components of mathematics teacher preparation in a manner that reflects systemic thinking, ensuring a cohesive and well-rounded approach to training future educators in the field of mathematics

The transformation of the training of preschool educators in the digital age

Nowadays, the informatization of education, the purpose of which is the use of new information technologies in the global rationalization of intellectual activity, is considered as a mandatory and absolute condition for the creation of a new information society. Therefore, we have singled out the main ways of high-quality professional training of future teachers of preschool education institutions in the modern information society. The professional training of future teachers of preschool education institutions is considered as a multifactorial structure in the modern information society and its tasks and educational components are distinguished. Four stages are distinguished and two methods of integration of professional training of future educators are characterized (horizontal and vertical). The application of the personally oriented, competence-based, integrative, activity approaches discussed in the article will provide, by the requirements of employers, a high level of training of a creative, competitive personality of the future specialist. The main technologies and factors that are effective in the modern information society are highlighted for high-quality professional training of future specialists. The importance of distance education, cloud technologies, and educational blogs is proven and the advantages of using them for the professional training of specialists are shown.

Leveraging Experiential Learning to Foster University Students’ Proficiency in Engaging with People with Disabilities

Study purpose. Inclusive education, acknowledged as a fundamental human right, is aimed at enhancing the participation of all students and mitigating social and educational exclusion. Physical Education is identified as a vital instrument that fosters specific training on disability and inclusion, thereby ameliorating attitudes towards disability. The objective of this study is to scrutinize the perception of experiential learning and inclusive physical activity among students. Materials and methods. An inclusive physical activity program for students pursuing a degree in Early Childhood and Primary Education was designed. The program proposes five sessions of inclusive physical activity and accommodates 30 adult users with intellectual disability. To analyse the reliability and validity of a scale that measures students’ perception of experiential learning, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the effectiveness and inclusivity of the scale. Results. The validity and reliability of a scale that facilitates the analysis of students’ perceptions of learning derived from inclusive experiences is presented and the results are adequate for its usability. In addition, it is shown that experiential learning increases the perception towards the acquisition of disability-related competences among university students. Conclusions. This scale essentially allows a comprehensive analysis of students’ perception of learning that emerges from inclusive experiences. It is demonstrated that experiential learning enhances students’ perception regarding the attainment of competencies related to disability. These findings underscore the importance of inclusive learning experiences in the training of future educators.

Gender-Differentiated Perceptions of Teaching among Preservice Teachers of Secondary Education

The decision to pursue a career in teaching is usually driven by vocational interests, with the social image of teachers playing a pivotal role in this choice. This study endeavors to explore the influence of gender on the perception of teaching and its impact on the inclination of preservice teachers towards vocational training. The research, based on a sample of 1469 participants, aims to evaluate attributive factors related to the decision to become a secondary school teacher, perceptions of the training received during the master’s degree, and gender disparities when recalling their previous teachers. To achieve this, an ad hoc questionnaire was employed. The data obtained were analyzed using Student’s t test, Chi-square, Somers’ D, and Chaid Tree. The results reveal gender differences by age and academic specialization, as well as a more negative evaluation of former high school teachers by female participants compared to their male counterparts. Overall, the study suggests that female students tend to retain more negative memories of secondary school instructors, a phenomenon that could be influenced by the prevailing unfavorable social image of teachers and their perceived struggle to compensate for past educational deficiencies upon embarking on a teaching career. Given that gender proves to be a relevant factor in the work of secondary school teachers, it is strongly recommended that the training of future educators address this issue with utmost diligence and depth. By sensitizing aspiring teachers to the potential challenges related to gender perceptions, teacher preparation programs can better equip them to navigate these complexities in the classroom and foster an inclusive learning environment.

TRAINING FUTURE PRESCHOOL EDUCATION TEACHERS FOR DESIGNING A SUBJECT-PLAY ENVIRONMENT (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF A BOARD GAME CENTER)

The relevance of the study is determined by the current level of development of the educational process in preschool education institutions in accordance with educational innovations and reforms. It is indicated that the educational process must comply with the updated State Standard of Preschool Education and ensure the quality of preschool education in accordance with European requirements. It is noted that the subject-play environment of a preschool education institution is one of the criteria by which the quality of the educational process is assessed, which determines the importance of its study by future preschool teachers. The purpose of the article is to generalize the content of theoretical and practical training of future educators for the design of the subject-play environment of the preschool education institution based on the material of the boardgame center. The following methods were used for the research: definitive, structural and comparative analysis, generalization, etc.
 Interrelationships between the key concepts of the content of the theoretical training of future educators are clarified. The article points out the importance of understanding their commonality and difference, hierarchical subordination and conditioning: «educational and developmental environment of an educational institution» as a pedagogical category and scientific knowledge; «the subject-play environment of the preschool education institution» is a substantial modification of the traditional educational and developmental environment specifically for the preschool education sector; «center of children’s activities» – a place of concentration, emergence and deployment of specific types of children’s activities, etc. It is determined that the subject-play environment is an essential modification of the educational development environment and preserves its structure: subject-spatial, motivational-cognitive, psychological-didactic, social-communication components. It is emphasized that the main point that higher education students learn is the interdependence between the optimal mode of interaction and the arrangement of furniture, attributes, and objects. The article substantiates methods and forms of educational activity of higher education students in the design of the subject-play environment in a preschool education institution: study of the state documents that regulate the educational process; schematization and modelling of child’s interactions and activities; creation of a moodboard of a center of children’s activities; visiting a preschool institution to observe the educational process, etc.

COMPETENCE-ORIENTED TRAINING OF FUTURE PRESCHOOL EDUCATORS AS A COMPONENT OF THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

The article highlights the problem of training future educators of preschool education institutions for the implementation of inclusive education. The analysis of the Professional Training Standard of specialty 012 "Preschool Education" and the corresponding educational and professional program was carried out. The key professional competencies necessary for future educators to ensure high-quality educational process for preschool children with special educational needs were determined. A problem was identified in the insufficient development of the content load of the educational and professional training program for educators regarding the implementation of inclusive education in Ukraine: to this category belong only three courses from the general curriculum and one from the list of selective courses. Taking into account the components of inclusive education, the author highlighted the specifics of competence-oriented training of future educators of preschool education institutions as an end-to-end component of the successful implementation of inclusive education: awareness of the general philosophy of inclusive education; study of the legal and methodological framework for inclusive education in Ukraine; formation of the ability to ensure the psycho-emotional comfort of children during adaptation and throughout their education in a preschool education institution; deepening theoretical and practical experience by conducting seminars, trainings, conferences, master classes, etc.; formation of skills for self-education and self-improvement; immersion in an inclusive educational environment during internship; gaining experience in implementing a barrier-free educational environment; formation of skills to create an individual development program for a child with special educational needs in accordance with various types and degrees of health isuues, interests and opportunities; cooperation with psychologists, parents to achieve a common goal; integration of traditional and remedial education; mastering the variety of ways of monitoring the progress of each child with special educational needs; mastering the skills of providing "equal mentoring". This scientific study only partially solves the problem of inclusive education in the country as a whole, and in preschool education institutions in particular.