5. The Extent of Including the Concepts of Islamic Values and National Identity in Kindergarten Curricula

Abstract

The research aimed at recognizing the degree of including the concepts of Islamic values and national identity in kindergarten curricula. The research adopted the analytical descriptive approach. The population of the research consisted of the developed kindergarten curriculum that is applied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample of the research comprised the teacher's guide, three separate units (Food, My Country, Hands), and three brief units (Friends, Clothing, My Book). In order to achieve the aims of the research, a content analysis card was constructed, including a list of the concepts of Islamic values and national identity. In its final form, it was composed of (12) values divided into two axes: Islamic values, which included seven values (creed, beneficence, cooperation, truthfulness, patience, cleanliness, honesty), and national identity, which included five values (national loyalty, discipline respect, conservation of environment, conservation of public properties, nationalism reinforcement), with validity and reliability ensured.

The following statistical techniques were used: Percentages and frequencies, and the research concluded a group of results, the most important of which were including Islamic values in the kindergarten curriculum in a moderate degree, and including the values of national identity in a high degree. In addition, the detailed results of Islamic values demonstrated the inclusion of the values of beneficence, creed, cooperation, and personal cleanliness in a high degree, and the values of patience, honesty, and truthfulness in a low degree. In the axe of national identity, the values of national loyalty, conserving environment, conserving public properties, and nationalism reinforcement were in a high degree, and the inclusion of discipline respect was in a moderate degree. In the light of this research and its results, many recommendations were provided such as, holding courses and seminars for female kindergarten teachers in order to inform them about the importance of Islamic values and national identity for kindergarten.

Key Words: Kindergarten curricula – Islamic values – national identity.