Competencias profesionales en Educación inicial y su vínculo con la vocación y formación ética

Abstract

Abstract: The research focused on the interplay between professional competences, a vocation for teaching and ethical training in Early Years Education, drawing on Ecuador s prioritised curriculum as a guiding framework for pedagogical practice. Its aim was to analyse this relationship in order to underpin an innovative proposal tailored to the classroom context. Methodologically, a mixed-methods study was conducted, employing a non-experimental, cross-sectional design with a descriptive scope, involving a census sample of ten teachers from Early Years 1, Early Years 2 and Upper Secondary levels, from educational institutions in Santa Rosa, El Oro province. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire using Google Forms; this was supplemented by a literature review as a triangulation strategy. The results revealed favourable performance in communicative, digital, socio-emotional, ethical and innovative competences, as well as a significant relationship between vocation, ethical training and the quality of professional practice. Consequently, the Interactive Learning Apron proposal was designed as a teaching resource to strengthen inclusive, participatory, creative and meaningful experiences in early childhood, based on an intervention consistent with current educational requirements, within contemporary, collaborative, playful and emotionally safe local school settings.