The Early Literacy Ambassadors e-Mentoring Teacher Training Program and Teacher Competencies

Awareness of promoting early literacy skills has increased in Türkiye in recent years. This study examines the effect of e-mentoring Teacher Training Program support provided to pre-school teachers in the field of early literacy enriched with practice and feedback on their competencies. The research is patterned with a case study from qualitative research methods. The study group consisted of 12 pre-school teachers. The teachers participated in Early Literacy Ambassadors e-Mentoring Teacher Training Program through online meetings for two months. The research revealed that there were positive developments in the professional competencies of teachers who participated in the training program regarding the concept of early literacy and the development of early literacy skills in children. It was found that the difficulties experienced in developing early literacy skills among children stemmed from teachers’ lack of knowledge and self-confidence. Accordingly, it is recommended that cooperation be established among preschool teachers, first-grade teachers, and families to support the development of children’s early literacy skills. In addition, the Early Literacy e-Mentoring Teacher Education Program is suggested as an effective model to be utilized in the in-service training of early childhood educators.