Preschool teachers’ perceptions of spirituality in Türkiye

This study aims to examine how children’s spirituality during early childhood is understood, interpreted, and reflected in the early childhood education environment in Türkiye. For this purpose, the study was designed based on a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 11 participants who are preschool teachers in the city of Eskişehir. The findings were analysed using the MAXQDA program and evaluated under four themes: uncertainty, potential, belief, and curriculum. Ultimately, it was determined that participants were unable to give a clear definition of spirituality, which they associated with religion and values, and that they found it difficult to discuss the concept. The inability to define or discuss spirituality can largely be associated with the absence of a curriculum with religious or spiritual content in preschool and the early years of primary school, as well as the lack of coursework addressing this topic during teachers’ undergraduate training.