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

Abstract

Abstract: This research, titled Professional Competencies in Early Childhood Education and Their Connection to Vocation and Ethical Training, aimed to analyze the relationship between the professional competencies of early childhood educators, their teaching vocation, and ethical training, within the framework of Ecuador s prioritized curriculum, with the purpose of supporting and guiding the design of an innovative pedagogical approach. The study employed a mixed-methods design and approach that is, both qualitative and quantitative which allowed for a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon under study. The selected sample included ten early childhood educators, who were administered the 360° Questionnaire as a means of data collection. Regarding the findings, they showed positive performance in the professional competencies analyzed, highlighting communication skills and ethical training, followed by digital skills, social-emotional competencies, vocation, and personal development, while logical-mathematical skills and pedagogical innovation received lower ratings. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a positive correlation between work skills, professional calling, and moral education.