Early childhood education teachers’ search for balance between children’s developmental needs and the expectations of the curriculum

Introduction: Despite the global emphasis on and spread of early childhood education, it has shown a tendency to become more academic and less focused on develop mental needs. This study aims to understand the process of establishing balance among early childhood education teachers caught between children's develop mental needs and the expectations of the curriculum. Methods: The research was designed as qualitative and used a case study design. The participant group consisted of 15 early childhood education teachers working in Adıyaman province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Research data were collected through a personal information form and a semi-structured interview form. Results: The results show that teachers value children's developmental needs and try to make time for them. The findings reveal that teachers struggle to meet children's developmental needs due to the intensive program, crowded classrooms, lack of materials, and demands from school administrators and parents. Discussion: Teachers agree that there is insufficient time for play and free activities for children within the intensive academic program flow. The pressure to complete the curriculum has negative psychological effects on both children and teachers. The research highlights the significant impact of program pressure in early childhood education on the psychological well-being of both children and teachers.