ABSTRACT
The study summarizes the specific characteristics of preschool education during the pandemic. This is based on our empirical study, which outlined the phenomena associated with the online development and the digital diet of preschoolers, based on the indicators of the SWOT analysis. In the study, we present the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and challenges of this educational period along four focuses: online preschool education practice and elements of the digital diet, the chances of the curriculum prevailing, the quality of the educational partnership and the professional development of kindergarten teachers. In every researched area, all elements of the SWOT analysis could be identified. The positives, such as platforms and applications used in kindergarten development, as well as interesting development content elements, the implementation ideas of the curriculum demanded integrated development, the awareness of the role of the educational partnership, the strong development of professional knowledge (especially the digital pedagogical knowledge) are proof that this period cannot be framed only negatively in kindergarten education. At the same time, of course, we have to see the threats and challenges alongside the opportunities. In our study, we outline all these aspects because, since formulating the instructive experiences and making use of them wisely might serve as aids in outlining the educational practices and principles of the upcoming period.
ABSTRACT
The closure of educational institutions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted early childhood teachers to review educational practices used in early childhood education. The present study provides a picture of the home education period from the point of view of early childhood teachers, reflecting on how different elements of the preschoolers' digital diet could prevail during the aforementioned period. Research data was collected via questionnaires (N=423). Data was collected from early childhood teachers who teach in Hungarian. Research results show a strong tendency in early childhood teachers to adapt to the needs of parents and children, and at the same time, a strong correlation between the use of online platforms and the teachers' level of digital skills. The early childhood teachers' adaptive and open-minded approach to the situation is also enhanced by the rich repository of elements that are transferable to offline education.