Values Education Programs in Preschool: A Systematic Review of Studies Conducted in Turkey

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically examine experimental research on value education programs implemented in Turkish preschools. The research involved searching the TR Dizin, Google Scholar, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, and YÖKTEZ databases between January 2015 and August 2025. Seventeen studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included. Data were evaluated using thematic analysis; studies were classified according to year, method, sample size, program type, measurement tools, and reported effectiveness findings. The findings show that the vast majority of studies were conducted using experimental or quasi-experimental designs; they were based on small sample groups; and the most frequently used programs were “Basic Values Program”, “Social Values Education”, and activity/drama-based programs. Most studies observed significant improvements in values such as respect, cooperation, friendship, honesty, and sharing, while some studies reported limited effects on the value of responsibility. Studies that measured the persistence of program effects determined that they were maintained after weeks or months. Overall, the findings suggest that while value education programs in Turkish preschool settings are generally effective in promoting socially oriented values, their impact on more abstract values and their long-term sustainability remain limited, highlighting the need for more comprehensive, longitudinal, and methodologically robust research.