Views of Preschool Children’s Parents about Children’s Rights Education

Abstract

Family is one of the environments that has the biggest influence on children’s lives. The opportunities provided by the family during early childhood are quite important for children to develop their self and personality on firm grounds and to learn their rights through experience. The purpose of the present study was to examine the views of the parents of 5-to-6-year-old children regarding children’s rights and parents’ practices regarding children’s rights education and the problems they experienced during these practices. The study was carried out with 20 volunteer parents (15 mothers and 5 fathers) from 20 preschools in Eskişehir under the auspices of the National Education Ministry. Data were collected using semi-structured interview technique and analyzed using descriptive analysis. According to the results, the parents mentioned such children’s rights as expressing their views, making related decisions and doing anything they want unless they harm themselves or others. The results also revealed that the parents were not much knowledgeable about children’s rights and that they needed awareness-raising. Regarding their practices in relation to educating children on children’s rights, it was found that the parents used such methods as talking to their children, explaining by giving examples,learning by doing and experiencing in the family environment and being a role-model for their children. Based on the results, it could be stated that education programs for children’s rights with the involvement of parents should be developed and disseminated.