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

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the relationship between professional competencies, teaching vocation, and ethical training in early childhood and preschool teachers within the framework of Ecuador's prioritized curriculum. The study's central objective was to analyze this relationship to support the design of an innovative pedagogical proposal. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 12 teachers from the province of Loja, selected through non-probability census sampling. The instrument used was the 360° Teacher Questionnaire: Competencies, Vocation, and Ethics, with a Likert scale. The results showed high levels of achievement in all dimensions, particularly in socio-emotional skills (90.1%) and communication skills (88.5%), while digital skills showed the lowest level (79.2%). A moderate positive correlation (rho=0.512) was found between vocation and ethical training. Finally, it is concluded that vocation and ethics act as cross-cutting axes that enhance professional teaching performance, which is why the Interactive Learning Apron was designed as an innovative and inclusive proposal.