Examining Preschool Children’s Perceptions of School
Abstract views: 521
/ 
PDF downloads: 359
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14689/enad.38.1844Abstract
The study employed a qualitative case study design to explore preschool children’s perceptions of school. The research involved 100 children aged 5–6 years from five different kindergartens during the fall semester of the 2022–2023 academic year. Data were collected through the ‘School Perception Interview Form’ and ‘School Picture Drawings’ to explore the children’s perceptions. To comprehensively analyze the collected data, the study employed content analysis, a common method used in qualitative data analysis. The content analysis process involved four stages: coding the data, identifying themes, organizing codes and themes, and describing and interpreting the findings. The study findings revealed that the children perceived school as a place for learning new things and experiencing happiness. Their favorite activity was art, and they enjoyed the school’s garden area. They preferred Lego/blocks and puzzles the most. Overall, they exhibited a positive attitude toward attending school, and their drawings depicted school buildings.
References
Aksoy, P., & Baran, G. (2010). 60-72-month-old children's perceptions of school through drawing incelenmesi [Analysis of perceptions of 60-72 months children regarding school] [Paper presentation]. The International Conference on New Trends in Education and Their Implication, Antalya, Turkey.
Akyol, A. K. (2016). Aims and principles of pre-school education. In A. K. Akyol (Ed.), Preschool in education programs (pp. 10–16). Target Publishing.
Andersson, B. E., & Strander, K. (2004). Perceptions of school and future adjustment to life: a longitudinal study between the ages of 18 and 25. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 48(5), 459–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/003138042000272122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/003138042000272122
Aral, N., & Kadan, G. (2018). 2013 Values education in preschool education program in the context of the context. Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 2(1), 113–131. https://doi.org/10.24130/eccd-jecs.196720182159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24130/eccd-jecs.196720182159
Arnon, M., Sharir, T., Shoval, E., & Tenenbaum, G. (2018). The effect of integrating movement into the learning environment of kindergarten children on their academic achievements. Early Childhood Education Journal, 46(3), 355–364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-017-0870-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-017-0870-x
Arslan K. S. (2008). Physical/spatial conditions in preschool education institutions review: Sivas Province example. Cumhuriyet University Journal of Social Sciences, 32(2), 307–320.
Bakan, I., & Kefe, I. (2014). Perception and perception management from a corporate perspective. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Journal of Imam University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 2(1), 19–34.
Bastepe, I. (2009). Qualities of the educational process and environment dimensions of an effective school. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 8(29), 76–83.
Bilgin, N. (2006). Content analysis in social sciences. Siyasal Publications.
Civek, I. (2018). School performance of 48-71 month old children attending preschool education institutions perceptions [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Abant Izzet Baysal University.
Cleghorn, A., Green, N., & Prochner, L., (2008). Space considerations: Materials in the learning environment in three majority world preschool settings. International Journal of Early Years Education, 16(3), 189–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760802343857 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760802343857
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage
Çandır, T. (2020). The educational environments of 48-66 month-old children attending pre-school education spatial characteristics [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Ege University.
Çelik, A. (2012). The use of open space in pre-school education institutions: Kocaeli example. Atatürk University Journal of Faculty of Agriculture, 43(1), 79–88.
Denham, S. A., Bassett, H. H., Brown, C., Way, E., & Steed, J. (2015). “I know how you feel”: Preschoolers’ emotion knowledge contributes to early school success. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 13(3), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X1349 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X13497354
Ericsson, I. (2008). Motor skills, attention and academic achievements. An intervention study in school years 1-3. British Educational Research Journal, 34(3), 301–313. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01411920701609299
Fogo, L. J. (2008). Writing in preschool [Unpublished doctoral thesis]. Purdue University.
Fontaine, N. S., Torre, L. D., Grafwallner, R., & Underhill, B. (2006). Increasing quality in early care and learning environments. Early Child Development and Care, 176(2), 157–169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0300443042000302690 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443042000302690
Fargas-Malet, M., McSherry, D., Larkin, E., & Robinson, C. (2010). Research with children: Methodological issues and innovative techniques. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 8(2), 175–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X09345412 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X09345412
Göregenli, M. (2013). Environmental psychology: Human-space relations. Istanbul Bilgi University Publications.
Grissmer, D., Grimm, K. J., Aiyer, S. M., Murrah, W. M., & Steel, J. S. (2010). Fine motor skills and early comprehension of the world: Two new school readiness indicators. Developmental Psychology, 46, 1008–1017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0020104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020104
Gülcemal, E. (2019). Attitudes towards school and perception of school on students' truancy behavior [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Hacettepe University.
Güleç, G. (2008). Pre-school teachers' comments on literacy preparation activities views and practices [Unpublished master's thesis]. Pamukkale University.
Güleş, F. (2013). Determination of quality standards for physical environment in preschool education [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Selcuk University.
Güven, G. (2006). Play and sports activities implemented in preschool education institutions in Kütahya programs [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Dumlupinar University.
Heppell, S., Chapman, C., Millwood, R., Constable, M., & Furness, J. (2004). Building learning futures. A research project at ultralab within the CABE/RIBA “Building Futures” programme. Accessed on 07.05.2023 from http://rubble.heppell.net/cabe/final_report.pdf
Hinkley, T., Salmon, J., Crawford, D., Okely, A. D., & Hesketh, K. D. (2016). Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with children’s physical activity during care hours: An observational study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(1), 117–126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0444-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0444-0
İsmailoğlu, S., & Yılmaz, H., (2019). Classroom in pre-school education institutions: Children evaluation through your eyes. International Journal of Social Science, 74, 387–400, http://dx.doi.org/10.9761/JASSS7871 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9761/JASSS7871
Kabapınar, F. (2003). A scale that can be used to measure misconceptions can be used to measure knowledge- differences from the scale aiming to measure the level of comprehension. In Theory and Practice Educational Administration, 35(35) 398–417.
Katz, L. G., & McClelland, M. M. (2016). Young children's schooling and child development. In R. M. Lerner (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science (Vol. 4, pp. 187-243). John Wiley & Sons.
Kesicioğlu, O.S. (2018, September 6-8). Analysis of educational activities of preschool teachers [Conference presentation]. International Learning Teaching and Educational Research Congress (ILTER 2018), Amasya, Turkey .
Koçyiğit, S. (2014). Preschool education from children's perspective. Pamukkale University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 36(36), 203–2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.9779/PUJE707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9779/PUJE707
Kostelnik, M. J., Soderman, A. K., Whiren, A. P., & Rupiper, M. L. (2015). Developmentally appropriate curriculum: Best practices in early childhood education (6th ed.). Pearson.
Köksal, O., & Tükel, A. (2017). Teachers' views on preschool values education evaluation. Ö. Demirel and S. Dinçer (Eds.), Innovation in educational sciences and in search of quality (547–558). Pegem Academy. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14527/9786053183563b2.033
Maxwell, L. E. (2007). Competency in child care settings. Environment and behavior, 39(2), 229–245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916506289976 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916506289976
Mashburn, A. J., Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., Downer, J. T., Barbarin, O. A., Bryant, D., ... & Howes, C. (2008). Measures of classroom quality in prekindergarten and children’s development of academic, language, and social skills. Child development, 79(3), 732–749. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467- 8624.2008.01154.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01154.x
McWhirter, J. M., Collins, M., Bryant, I., Wetton, N. M., & Bishop, J. N. (2000). Evaluating ‘safe in the sun’, a curriculum programme for primary schools. Health Education Research,15(2), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/15.2.203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/her/15.2.203
MoNE (2013). Preschool education program. Ankara
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2th.ed.). Sage.
Nicholson, E. (2005). The school building as the third teacher, children’s spaces. Elsevier Architectural Press.
Özdemir, M., & Kalaycı, H. (2013). A study on school engagement and metaphorical school perception review: The example of Çankırı Province. Educational Sciences in Theory and Practice, 13(4), 2125–2137.
Özyürek, A., & Kılınç, N. (2015). Learning centers in preschool education institutions effect on children's free play behaviors. Karabuk University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 5(5–2), 125–125. https://doi.org/10,14230/joiss124 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14230/joiss124
Pekrun, R., Elliot, A. J., & Maier, M. A. (2009). Achievement goals and achievement emotions: Testing a model of their joint relations with academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101(1), 115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0013383 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013383
Peisner-Feinberg, E. S., Burchinal, M. R., Clifford, R. M., Culkin, M. L., Howes, C., Kagan, S. L., & Yazejian, N. (2001). The relation of preschool child‐care quality to children's cognitive and social developmental trajectories through second grade. Child Development, 72(5), 1534–1553. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00364 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00364
Patton, M. Q. (2014). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. In M. Bütün and S. B. Demir (Translation. Ed.). Pegem Academy.
Punch, S. (2002). Research with children: The same or different from research with adults?. Childhood, 9(3),321–341. https://doi.org/10- .1177/0907568202009003005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0907568202009003005
Roth, L. M. (2002). The story of architecture, Kabalcı Publishing House.
Sakarya, Ş. (2019). Spatial evaluation of preschool Montessori educational environments Bursa örneği [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Uludag University
Selçuk, A., & Yavuz, H. M. (2018). Overview of findings on early childhood development in Turkey. Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 2(2), 334–363. https://doi.org/10.24130/eccd- jecs.196720182271
Shepardson, D. P. (2005). Student’s ideas: What is an environment? Journal of Environmental Education, 36(4), 49–58.
Solter, A. J. (2020). Listen to your child (A. Cebeneyon Translation). Doğan Publishing.
Tavşancıl, E., & Aslan, E. (2001). Content analysis and application examples. Epsilon Publishing.
Toprakci, E., & Gülmez, D. (2018). Students’ educational life from the parents' perspective (Memories a qualitative analysis in context). Journal of Qualitative Research in Education Qualitative Research in Education, 6(1), 253–275. https://doi.10.14689/issn.2148- 2624.1.6c1s11m DOI: https://doi.org/10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.6c1s11m
Tortamis- Ozkaya, B. (2020). Child mental health. Nobel Publishing.
Tunçeli, H. İ., & Zembat, R. (2017). Evaluation of development in early childhood and its importance. Journal of Educational Theory and Practice Research, 3, 1–12.
Vander Fels, I. M. J., Te Wierike, S. C. M., Hartman, E., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., Smith, J., & Visscher, C. (2015). The relationship between motor skills and cognitive skills in 4–16 year old typically developing children: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18, 697–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.09.007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.09.007
Voight, A., Hanson, T., O’Malley, M. & Adekanye, L. (2015). The racial school climate gap: Within‐school disparities in students’ experiences of safety, support, and connectedness. American Journal of Community Psychology, 56(3-4), 252–267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-015-9751-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-015-9751-x
Wood, D. (2003). Thinking and learning in children. Özünlü, M. (Translation Ed.). Doruk Publishing.
Yazici, E., Celik, M., Yildirim, F. N., Altintas, E., & Gunes, A. (2018). In the preschool period children's metaphorical perceptions of the concept of school. Sakarya University Education Faculty Journal, 35, 64–86.
Yavuz, S. (2016). Magic suggestions. Pedagogy Publications.
Yıldırım A., & Şimşek H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. Exclusive Publishing.
Yüner, B., & Özdemir, M. (2017). The relationship between metaphorical school perception and dropout tendency examining the relationship according to student views. Gazi University Faculty of Education Journal, 37(3), 1041–1060. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17152/gefad.303842
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Qualitative Research in Education
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
