Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine preschool teachers’ views of moral education through influential Turkish historical figures. The sample consisted of 23 preschool teachers from nursery classrooms and kindergartens affiliated with the Directorate of National Education of Muş/Turkey. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form developed by researchers. It was found that political leaders, Islamic philosophical figures, folk heroes, poets-writers, and scientists are perceived as influential Turkish figures by the participants. When participants’ views about giving moral education through these figures, is asked, participants shared concepts such as; virtue, having faith, perseverance, and success, being forethoughtful, and setting an example. Most participants do not implement a program tailored for moral education, but most of them try to perform activities that involve moral education in their lectures. They use the drama as well as educational play and audio-visual story-reading methods to teach moral concepts. They use moral education activities with enriched content that conforms to students' developmental characteristics and allows them to interact. Participants believe that children should look up to influential Turkish figures for their personality traits and moral principles. Therefore, participants support preschool moral education through influential Turkish figures. Participants think that it would be useful to design educational environments with rich material for historical figures and establish permanent centers for influential Turkish figures could be established in classrooms.