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

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines professional competencies in early childhood education, highlighting how they relate to the teaching vocation and ethics. The main objective was to study this relationship within the framework of Ecuador s prioritized curriculum, seeking to lay the groundwork for a new educational proposal. Using a mixed-methods approach, the Maestros 360° questionnaire was administered to eleven early childhood educators. The findings show that while teachers stand out for their high level of moral commitment and their excellent ability to provide social-emotional support, they still face challenges in using digital tools and show some resistance to implementing free-exploration activities in the classroom. In light of this reality, the project proposes the creation of the Little Explorers Magic Apron, a teaching resource that combines physical, hands-on materials with interactive tools adapted for children. As a general conclusion, this innovative resource enables the promotion of truly active methodologies alongside early digital literacy, while always granting children greater autonomy to transform their entire daily school experience without losing rigorous control over classroom order.