Criteria, levels and indicators for the formation of ecological culture of future preschool teachers

the purpose of this article is to identify the key criteria, levels, and indicators for developing environmental awareness in students – future preschool teachers. The objectives of the study are as follows: determining the role of environmental awareness in preschool teachers in improving the effectiveness of preschool education; determining the components of environmental awareness as an indicator of a teacher's overall professional culture; and establishing criteria for determining the degree of development of environmental awareness in future preschool teachers. Based on the identified criteria, levels, and indicators for developing environmental awareness in students majoring in pedagogical studies in the field of “Preschool Education” the author develops a list of ways to effectively develop students' environmental knowledge, culture, and competence to prepare them for productive work in the real labor market. The study focuses on the application of general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, classification), as well as the diagnostic method of pedagogical observation. The author of this study proposes a set of recommendations for the teaching staff of educational institutions involved in student training to implement the objectives of universities and secondary vocational educational institutions focused on enhancing the professional competencies of future preschool education specialists. These include continuous self-improvement in environmental awareness; focusing on effective methods, techniques, and tools for developing environmental awareness in preschool-age children; and developing students' knowledge base around personal environmental awareness. The study's findings may have practical value for teaching staff directly interacting with student groups – future educators – as well as practicing preschool educators.

environmental literacy, environmental culture, professional competence, criteria of environmental culture, components of environmental culture, levels of environmental culture, preschool education