Educating childhood: orientation and orientation to the profession. First results of a research study

Abstract

Access to the profession of educator in childhood education and care services is regulated, in Italy, by some strict laws. Nevertheless, a small research on a sample of students attending the specific degree program (L19 – Childhood educator curriculum) shows unclear ideas on the professional profile in prospective educators and a very sentimental and backward idea of it, in between motherhood and an image of devoted service to children and families. In this context, orienting effectively to the choice of the degree program is a priority in order to form adequate professionals for educating children in a diverse society. In this article, the quali-quantitative research conducted at the University of Parma with first-year students is presented in some of its more relevant aspects, including a sample of meaningful answers and a brief, descriptive analysis.