SEMENTES DE TOLERÂNCIA: PERSPECTIVAS PARA O ENSINO DA DIVERSIDADE RELIGIOSA NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL DE PRESIDENTE KENNEDY-ES

Abstract

Early childhood education significantly impacts children's development in multiple dimensions, where not only cognitive skills are formed, but also values, beliefs, and identities, and religious diversity emerges as a relevant aspect to be considered in pedagogical practices. In this context, this study aims to analyze and evaluate how religious diversity has been addressed in religious education in early childhood education in a representative sample of a school in the municipal network of Presidente Kennedy-ES, in the period from February to March 2025, focusing on the pedagogical practices of teachers and the perception of the challenges faced in promoting religious diversity. This is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research, with data collection carried out through individual semi-structured interviews, with a predefined script, and data analysis carried out through Thematic Content Analysis. The results demonstrated the need for more support, whether with continuing education, teaching materials, or institutional guidelines, to work on religious diversity with young children, and there is little or no clear guidance from the Municipal Department of Education on how to approach the topic. The research revealed that teachers are open to learning, adapting their practices and contributing to a more inclusive education. It is therefore concluded that addressing religious diversity in Early Childhood Education is an urgent and necessary challenge, which requires ethical commitment, qualified training and collaborative action among all actors involved in the educational process.