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

Abstract

Abstract: This research explored professional competencies among Early Childhood Education teachers and their relationship with teaching vocation and ethical training, using Ecuador s prioritized curriculum as the framework for supporting the proposed intervention. The study followed a mixed-method, non-experimental, and descriptive approach, involving 10 female educators from government-subsidized Early Childhood Education institutions. Data were collected using the Maestros 360°: Competencies, Vocation, and Ethics questionnaire, which was digitized through the Google Forms platform. The findings showed an adequate level of performance in the competencies assessed, although digital skills (74.80%) and pedagogical innovation (79.67%) presented the lowest scores. In turn, the correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between the variables (ρ = 0.8169), thereby strengthening the teaching profile. Based on this diagnosis, the Magical Adventures of Learning proposal was developed as a physical and digital apron that combines manipulative materials, didactic activities, and technological resources. It was specifically designed to strengthen competencies related to the use of digital tools and to renew teaching practices, serving as an innovative strategy to enhance teachers professional competencies.