Prospective Preschool Teachers’ Views on Sexual Education and Child Sexual Abuse in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the opinions of prospective teachers about sexual education and child sexual abuse in preschool. Case study research design was used in the study in which data were obtained through interviews with 73 prospective teachers. Eight questions and 2 fictional cases related to sexual education were used in the semi-structured interview form prepared to collect the data which were then analyzed by content analysis method. The research results indicate that prospective teachers did not have sufficient background knowledge regarding sexual education and child sexual abuse. When the answers of the participants to the fictional cases are examined, it is seen that they have deficiencies in early intervention. In line with the research results, parents are one of the most important stakeholders in providing sexual education to children. It is also highlighted that it is very important that in the curriculum of preschool teachers’ issues about sexual education should be addressed.

Keywords

• sexual education
• child sexual abuse
• early childhood education
• prospective teachers