Respect for Differences Among Children, Parents, and Preschool Teachers: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

The rapid changes in the World (wars, epidemics, forced migration, earthquakes or desire to live in better conditions, etc.) have increased the need to respect differences in societies compared to the past. The aim of this study1 is to examine the tendencies of respect for differences and tolerance levels of young children, their parents, and preschool teachers, as well as the relationship between the tolerance levels of parents and teachers and children’s respect for differences. Conducted by using a quantitative research method, the study followed a relational screening model. The study group consisted of 320 children aged 54–72 months, 320 parents of these children, and 151 preschool teachers. Data collection tools used in the study were the “Respect for Differences Scale” and the “Tolerance Tendency Scale – Adult Form”. The findings of the study indicate that the children’s level of respect for differences is at a moderate level, while the tolerance tendencies of parents and preschool teachers are at a good level. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between the children’s respect for differences scores and preschool teachers’ tolerance tendency scores. A low-level, negative significant relationship was found between the children’s respect for differences scores and their parents’ tolerance tendency scores.