Big Words in Young Minds: Evaluation of ‘The Richness of Our Language Project’ from the Perspective of Teachers and Parents

Abstract

In this study, the impact of the “Richness of Our Language Project”, implemented by the Ministry of National Education during the 2023-2024 academic year across all grade levels, on the verbal language skills of preschool children was examined from the perspectives of teachers and parents. In this context, teachers’ and parents’ perspectives provide valuable insights from the field regarding the implementation of the project and allow a clearer understanding of the gains achieved in children’s language development. The study group consisted of teachers from kindergartens in a provincial center who implemented the project and the parents of the children who benefited from it. During the data collection process, interview forms prepared in line with the scope and activity steps of the project were used; in addition, documents kept by one of the interviewed teachers regarding the project were examined. By using these multiple data sources, data triangulation was achieved and the reliability of the findings was enhanced. The data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The results indicated that the project supported the development of children’s verbal language skills, expanded their vocabulary, and increased the frequency of book-reading activities between parents and children at home. The findings highlight the significance of feedback from both teachers and parents regarding the project’s implementation and underscore the importance of enhancing collaboration and communication among educational stakeholders.

Keywords

• Richness of Our Language Project
• oral language skills
• early literacy
• preschool education

Küçük Zihinlerde Büyük Kelimeler: Dilimizin Zenginlikleri Projesi’nin Öğretmen ve Ebeveyn Açısından Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Bu araştırmada, Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı tarafından 2023-2024 eğitim öğretim yılında tüm sınıf kademelerinde yürütülen “Dilimizin Zenginlikleri Projesi’nin” okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının sözel dil becerilerine olan katkısı öğretmen ve ebeveyn bakış açısıyla incelenmiştir. Bu çerçevede öğretmen ve ebeveyn bakış açıları, projenin işleyişine dair sahadan değerli veriler sunmakta ve çocukların dil gelişiminde ortaya çıkan kazanımların daha net anlaşılmasına olanak tanımaktadır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, bir il merkezinde Millî Eğitim Bakanlığına bağlı anasınıflarında projeyi uygulayan öğretmenler ve projeden yararlanan çocukların ebeveynleri oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama sürecinde, projenin kapsamı ve faaliyet adımları doğrultusunda hazırlanan görüşme formları kullanılmış; ayrıca görüşme yapılan öğretmenlerden birinin projeye ait tuttuğu dokümanlar incelenmiştir. Çoklu veri kaynaklarının kullanımıyla veri üçgenlemesi sağlanmış ve bulguların güvenirliği artırılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, projenin uygulama sonrasında çocukların sözel dil becerilerini desteklediği, kelime dağarcıklarını geliştirdiği ve çocukların ev ortamında ebeveyn ile kitap okuma etkinliklerinin arttığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçları, öğretmenlerin ve ebeveynlerin proje uygulanmasına ilişkin geri bildirimlerinin dikkate değer olduğunu, eğitim paydaşları arasında iş birliği ve iletişimin zenginleştirilmesinin önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Dilimizin Zenginlikleri Projesi
• sözel dil becerileri
• erken okuryazarlık
• okul öncesi eğitim

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