Abstract:

The purpose of the study is to reveal the opinions of preschool teachers about the thinkers who shape preschool education and the approaches they represent. A phenomenological method of qualitative research is used in this study. Cognitive maps have been used to better reflect preschool teachers' opinions. The participants of the study are 20 pre-school teachers who were working in Edirne province in kindergartens bound to the Ministry of National Education. As a means of collecting data in the survey, a semi-structured interview form was developed by the researchers. The data from the Interview Form was analyzed to generate cognitive maps of participants' pre-school education approaches applied around the world. According to the results of the research, it was found that pre-school teachers know Froebel and Montessori as thinkers who shaped pre-school education and the Montessori approach better. Thus the study reveals that teachers use Montessori, Reggio Emillia and High Scope Approaches more in class activities.