Higher education perceptions of preschool children from low socio-economic families

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how higher education perceptions of preschool children from low socio-economic families differ after a planned and structured visit to a university campus. The study used phenomenological research design and 29 children (48-60 months old) were selected with purposive sampling method from a low income district public preschool in Ankara. Data were collected through interviews with children and their drawings. Children were asked three questions about higher education in pre-interview and after their visit to the university campus, in the post-interview they were asked the same questions. The interview results and children’s drawings were analysed by content analysis. The results indicated that participating in a set of activities at the university, children’s understanding of higher education and perception of university changed considerably. It is suggested that universities can carry out activities to raise awareness of children and their families in low-income district schools.
 Keywords: higher education, low-socio-economic level, preschool children, perception, university