HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATION OF MULTICULTURALISM APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES AND LIFE SCIENCE COURSES, PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND TEXTBOOK REVIEWS: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION

İLKOKUL SOSYAL BİLGİLER VE HAYAT BİLGİSİ DERSLERİNDE ÇOKKÜLTÜRLÜLÜK YAKLAŞIMININ TARİHSEL DÖNÜŞÜMÜ, PROGRAM ANALİZLERİ VE DERS KİTABI İNCELEMELERİ: KARŞILAŞTIRMALI BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Abstract

This study examines how a multicultural education approach is addressed in the teaching of Social Studies and Life Studies courses at the primary school level and explores how cultural diversity, conveyed through curricula and textbooks, influences student outcomes, learning environments, and teacher competencies. Employing document analysis and content analysis methods, the research evaluates the multicultural content in educational programs and textbooks and its reflections on the acquisition of values, skills, and competencies. The findings indicate that multicultural education contributes to fostering tolerance, respect, and empathy in students towards different cultures, while simultaneously promoting cultural sensitivity in areas such as health literacy, nutrition, environmental health, and preventive medicine. The study suggests that more systematic and comprehensive strategies are needed in program development, teacher training, parental and community engagement, and policymaking processes to effectively implement multicultural education. In conclusion, integrating the multicultural approach with health policies can enhance students’ academic, social, and health-related awareness, thereby enriching the overall educational experience.