The Predictive Role of Executive Functions on Social Skills in Preschool Period

Year 2024, Issue: 61, 1729 - 1751, 27.09.2024

Yeşim Yurdakul

https://doi.org/10.53444/deubefd.1376413

Abstract

This study aims to examine the predictive role of executive functions on social skills in preschool period. The study group of the study, which was conducted in the correlational research model, consisted of 382 children aged 4-6 years and their parents. In the current study, "Social Skills Assessment Scale" was used to determine children's social skills and "Childhood Executive Functions Inventory" was used to evaluate their executive functions. As a result of the study, it was found that executive functions significantly predicted social skills in preschool period. In the study, it was determined that children's executive functions and social skills were positively and significantly related, and as their executive functions increased, their social skills also increased. In addition, executive functions and social skills scores of girls were higher than boys. Adopting approaches that support executive functions in the experiences that families offer to their children in the preschool period can be an important factor in developing children's social skills. In line with the findings obtained, suggestions were presented to the researchers for future studies.

Keywords

preschool period, executive function, social skills

Okul Öncesi Dönemde Yürütücü İşlevlerin Sosyal Beceriler Üzerindeki Yordayıcı Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışmada okul öncesi dönemde yürütücü işlevlerin sosyal beceriler üzerindeki yordayıcı rolünün incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Korelasyonel araştırma modelinde yürütülen araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 4-6 yaş arası 382 çocuk ve ebeveyni oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada çocukların sosyal becerilerini ölçmek için ‘‘Sosyal Becerileri Değerlendirme Ölçeği’’ ve yürütücü işlevlerini değerlendirmek için ‘‘Çocukluk Dönemi Yürütücü İşlevler Envanteri’’ kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda kız çocuklarının yürütücü işlevler ve sosyal beceri puanları erkek çocuklardan yüksek bulunmuştur. Araştırmada çocukların yürütücü işlevleri ile sosyal becerilerinin pozitif ve anlamlı olarak ilişkili olduğu, yürütücü işlevleri yükseldikçe sosyal becerilerinin de arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca okul öncesi dönemde yürütücü işlevlerin sosyal becerileri anlamlı olarak yordadığı tespit edilmiştir. Okul öncesi dönemde ebeveynler ve öğretmenler tarafından yürütücü işlevleri destekleyici programlar ve etkinlikler uygulanması çocukların sosyal becerilerini geliştirmede önemli bir etken olabilir. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda gelecekte planlanacak olan çalışmalar için araştırmacılara öneriler sunulmuştur.

Keywords

okul öncesi dönem, yürütücü işlevler, sosyal beceriler

Ethical Statement

Okul öncesi dönemde yürütücü işlevlerin sosyal beceriler üzerindeki yordayıcı rolü başlıklı çalışma için Akdeniz Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Kurulu’ndan etik kurul onayı (Evrak Tarih ve Sayısı: 04.04.2023-616000) alınmıştır.

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