Abstract

The aim of the research was to find out which external and internal factors in their lives to date motivated newly enrolled students to take the kindergarten teacher education course and how. The free statement method was used to obtain the necessary data based on the given thematic assignment, and the evaluation technique applied to the data was based on coding. The present study analyses the observed extrinsic factual and intrinsic factors of students' motivation for joining the course. The external factors reported by the students were grouped into the following subcategories: a) activities with children, b) encounters with the teaching profession, c) obstacles on the way to study, d) recognition by classmates. Statements from each subcategory were divided into subgroups with identical features based on further coding. For each subcategory, one of the statements characterizing the students is given as an example. The internal factors identified were very diverse and based on coding were again divided into subcategories as needed. Again, one or more examples are given.