Izmir University of Economics opens 'kindergarten'

Izmir University of Economics (IUE), which carries out many projects to support the development of children, families and educators, will open a 'kindergarten' in its 21^st year. The kindergarten, which will be established in the old Izmir Konağı building across from the campus in Balçova, will start serving in September.  A total of 72 students will be educated in 4 classes in the kindergarten, where children between the ages of 3 and 6 will be accepted.

The kindergarten, which will be staffed by a full-time psychologist and 5 teachers who are experts in their fields, will be open to participation from all over Izmir as well as the children of IUE and Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) members. Children, who will participate in workshops, trainings and activities to be held by a professional team, will have a healthy development process both physically and socially.

FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar stated that they attach great importance to the kindergarten project and continue their work meticulously. Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “The University recently established the Children's University Research and Application Center with the approval of the Council of Higher Education (YOK). “Our university, which has been awarded the title of 'children's university', has implemented many projects for children and families so far. The 'Children's Festival' held last week, was one of the most recent and good examples of this. We will continue to organize new activities by using the facilities of the University for children in line with university-community cooperation. We will open the kindergarten in September by adding another step to the ones we have taken for the children.”

TEACHER RECRUITMENT PROCESS STARTED

Stating that they will prefer experienced names with bachelor's degree for kindergarten teaching and have started to accept applications accordingly, Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “We care very much about the children in our kindergarten being educated in the best conditions and in a physical environment where they can have a pleasant time.  For this purpose, we will build a powerful kindergarten in the old Izmir Konağı building directly opposite the campus, where children will be educated comfortably and safely, not only physically but also with the quality of education. It is also to our advantage to have a Child Development Program within the University. We will hire a total of 5 teachers to the kindergarten. Applications have already started, those who are interested in teaching can reach us.”

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERIOD FOR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT

Yasemin Özgün, Vice Director of IUE Children's University Research and Application Center, said that the knowledge and habits that children will acquire in kindergarten age are of great importance in terms of healthy development. Stating that they have consulted the opinions of experts in determining the educational contents in the kindergarten, Özgün said, “The period between the ages of 3 and 6 involves a period in which children are very willing to learn, question what is going on around them and develop their creativity. As a kindergarten, we also have to create a rich social activity area for children as well as qualified educational content. We must provide the environment in which we can improve the self-esteem of the children with creative workshops and make them enjoy learning and come to school willingly. Acting with this awareness, we make our plans and work in detail with the support of all relevant units in the University. We care very much about this kindergarten.”

EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS

Lecturer Ezgi Oral Bozkurtoğlu, pre-school education specialist, is the Director of IUE Children's University Research and Application Center. Lecturer Yasemin Özgün, psychological counseling and guidance specialist, is the Vice Director of the Center. Expert Psychologist-Family Counselor Ayşe Özgener, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evrim Üstünlüoğlu, IUE School of Foreign Languages ​​Lecturer, and Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of IUE Department of Textile and Fashion Design, are also on the board of directors of the center.