Preschool Teachers' Views on Science Education, the Methods They Use, Science Activities, and the Problems They Face

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal preschool teachers' views on science education, science activities they carry out, methods and techniques they use as well as problems they encounter while performing science activities. This study was carried out according to the case study which frequently used in qualitative research methodology. The study group was identified using the convenience sampling method. The study group constitutes 32 preschool teachers working in preschools in Kilis province. A written interview form prepared by field experts was used to collect data. Content analysis procedure was used to analyse the data. According to the results obtained in the study, it has been determined that the vast majority of preschool teachers consider themselves competent in teaching science, and state that the science education environment should be equipped and rich in teaching materials, and that science concepts can be better taught to children through hands-on activities as well as supporting them with visual materials. Additionally, it has been determined that teachers try to develop scientific process skills in children through science activities. It has also been identified that teachers use common science materials while performing science activities that they mostly use spontaneous/nature-related activities, prefer group activities, and carry out science activities at least once a week. It has further been determined that teachers especially use such methods as experiment, observation, demonstration more than other methods when performing science activities. Besides, it has been specified that the experiment method is children’s most favourite method, which is also easy to apply. The main problem faced by the teachers during science activities was determined to be the lack of teaching materials, crowded classrooms, physical inadequacy of classrooms and uninterested parents. It has also been found that the problems encountered are mostly depend on schools, classrooms, parents and lack of materials.