Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Investigation of Thinking Styles of Preschool Children

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 120 - 135, 28.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.29065/usakead.1686508

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the thinking skills of preschool children according to various variables. The survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the research. A total of 146 children constituted the study group. In the research, the “Thinking Scale for Children in Early Childhood (60-72 Months)” was used as a data collection tool to measure children's thinking skills, and a personal information form containing information about children's and parents' demographic characteristics was used. A data analysis program was used to analyze the data obtained in the study. In the analysis of the data, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-B multiple comparison test was used for intergroup differences. No significant difference was found in all sub-dimensions of the thinking towards children scale according to gender variable. According to the mother's level of education, there was a significant difference in the analogy, classification, following instructions and knowledge sub-dimensions of the thinking towards children scale, but no significant differences were found in the other sub-dimensions. While there was a significant difference in the analogy, classification, similarities, differences, sorting and knowledge dimensions according to the level of father's education, there was no significant difference in the other sub-dimensions. According to the number of siblings, there was a significant difference only in the irrationality sub-dimension of the thinking scale for children.

References

  • Akar Gençer, A. (2014). Examining the effect of reggio emilia based projects on creative thinking skills of kindergarten children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Hacettepe University, Türkiye.
  • Akyol, T. (2021). Examining the relationship between parental attitudes and preschool children's decision-making skills. Dialectologist International Journal of Social Sciences 26, 73-93.
  • Arıcı, S. (2019). Examining the relationship between authenticity levels of parents of preschool children and their children's creativity. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Ege University, Türkiye.
  • Aubrey, C., Ghent, K., & Kanira, E. (2012). Enhancing thinking skills in early childhood. International Journal of Early Years Education, 20 (4), 332-348. doi: 10.1080/09669760.2012.743102
  • Aydemir Özalp, T., & Durmuşoğlu, M. C. (2023). Investigation of decision-making and critical thinking skills of preschool children. Journal of Education for Life, 37 (2), 405-427. https://doi.org/10.33308/26674874.2023372548
  • Başarer, D. (2021). Thinking training. Ankara: Pegem.
  • Bayraktar, V. (2016). Definition and importance of preschool education. F. Alisinanoğlu and V. Bayraktar (Ed.), Introduction to preschool education. (1-12). Ankara: Vize
  • Bayraktar, V., & Özçelik Öğretir, D. (2019, Nowember, 15-17). Examination of the maternal attitudes perceived by children aged 9-17. In International Symposium on Academic Studies in Educational and Social Sciences (ISES). Ankara, Turkey
  • Bilgiç, E. (2010). Comparison of thinking styles of primary school administrators and teachers. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Niğde University, Türkiye.
  • Buluş, M. (2000). Attributional complexity, thinking styles and preference for cognitive consistency in relation to some psychosocial characteristics and academic achievement in student teachers. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye.
  • Buluş, M. (2005). The Investigation of the Thinking Styles Profile of Students in the Department of Elementary Education. Ege Journal of Education, 6(1), 1-24.
  • Butterworth, J., & Thwaites, G. (2013). Thinking skills: Critical thinking and problem solving ( 2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Can Yaşar, M., & Aral, N. (2010). The effect of preschool education on creative thinking skills. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 3 (2), 201-209.
  • Can Yaşar, M., & Aral, N. (2011). Examining the effect of socio-economic level and parental education level on creative thinking skills of six-year-old children. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 4 (1), 137-145.
  • Caynak, S. (2024). The effect of kitchen skills training on creativity levels of preschool children. [Master’s thesis, Karatay University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center.
  • Cano-Garcia, F., & Hughes, E. H. (2000). Learning and thinking styles: An analysis of their interrelationship and influence an academic achievement. Educational Psychology, 20 (4), 413-430.
  • Chua Yan Piaw, C. (2014). Effects of gender and thinking style on student's creative thinking ability. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 116, 5135-5139.
  • Çeliköz, N. (2017). Investigation of creativity levels of preschool children aged 5-6 years. Yıldız Journal of Educational Research, 2 (1), 1-25.
  • Çubukçu, Z. (2004). Determination of pre-service teachers' thinking styles. Trakya University Journal of Social Science, 5 (2), 87-106.
  • Dağlıoğlu, H. E., & Çakır, F. (2007). Developing planning and deep thinking among thinking skills in early childhood. Education and Science,32 (144), 28-35.
  • Dilshod, M. (2019). Improvement of ability and creativity in pre-school children. International Journal of Recent Technology and engineering 8 (3 S), 220-222
  • Durmuşoğlu, M. C., & Yıldız- Taşdemir, C. (2022). Determining the parent education preferences and needs of parents with children in preschool education institutions in Turkey. Theory and Practice in Child Development, 2 (1), 1-21.
  • Ennis, R. (2011). Reflection and perspective. Part II Inquiry 26 (2), 5-20
  • Ergen, Z. G., & Akyol, A. K. (2012). Investigating the creativity of children attending kindergarten. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science,5 (2), 156-170.
  • Erşahin Şafak, N. (2016). Investigation of the relationship between temperament characteristics, receptive language and attention skills of preschool children, [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Beykent University, Türkiye.
  • Ezmeci, F., & Akman, B. (2016). Thinking skills in early childhood reggio emilia approach and high/scope program. International Journal of Early Childhood Education Studies, 1 (1), 1-13.
  • Facione, P. (1990). The california critical thinking skills test: College level. California Academic Press, Millbrae, CA.
  • Fisher, R. (2013). Teaching thinking: Philosophical enquiry in the classroom (kindle edition). USA: Blooms.
  • Fraenkel, R. J., & Wallen, E. N. (2009). How to design and evaluate research in education. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Gander, M., & Gardiner, H. (2015). Child and adolescent development. B. Onur (Çev.), Ankara: İmge.
  • Gök Çolak, F. (2021). Developing a spatial thinking skills test for preschool children and examining children's spatial thinking skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Marmara University, Türkiye.
  • Gökmen, A. (2017). Investigation of creative problem-solving skills in 60–84-month-old children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Istanbul Aydın University, Türkiye.
  • Güneş, F. (2012). Developing students' thinking skills. Journal of Turkology Research, (32), 127-146.
  • Heyes,C. (2012). New thinking: The evolution of human cognition. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B, Biol. Sci., 367, 1599, 2091–2096, Aug. 2012, doi: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0111.
  • Johonson, D.W., & Johnson, R. T. (2010). Cooperative learning and conflict resolution: Essential 21st century skills. Eds (James Bellanca and Ron Brandt) 21st century skills: rethinking how students learn. (s.201-219). Bloomington: Solution Tree Press.
  • Kanaki, K., & Kalogiannakis, M. (2022). Assessing algorithmic thinking skills in relation to gender in early childhood. Educational Process: International Journal, 11 (2), 44-59.
  • Kanlıpıçak, B. (2022). The effect of thinking skills development practices on preschool children's thinking skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Ankara University, Türkiye.
  • Karasan, S. (2015). They showed their parents the parents of i̇ndividuals with attitude owned relationship between thinking style. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Istanbul Haliç University, Türkiye.
  • Karasar, N. (2019). Scientific research method. Ankara: Nobel.
  • Karabörklü Ilgın, G. (2024). Investigation of preservice preschool teachers' positive thinking skills and metacognitive thinking skills in terms of various variables. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Mehmet Akif University, Türkiye.
  • Karadağ, F., Yıldız Demirtaş, F., & Yıldız, T. (2017). Development of a scale for the assessment of critical thinking through philosophical inquiry for 5-6 year old children. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences ,9 (4), 1025-1037.
  • Kefeli, İ., & Kara, U. (2008). The development of philosophical and critical thinking in children. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 41 (1), 339-357. http://dergiler.ankara.edu.tr/dergiler/40/154/1159.pdf
  • Levine, S. C., Ratliff, K. R., Huttenlocher, J., & Cannon, J. (2012). Early puzzle play: a predictor of preschoolers' spatial transformation skill. Developmental Psychology, 48 (2), 530.
  • Lewis, A., & Smith, D. (1993). Defining higher order thinking. Theory Into Practice, 32 (3), 131-137. doi:10.1080/00405849309543588
  • Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2024). Preschool education program. General Directorate of Basic Education, Ankara
  • Mutlu, E. (2010). Investigation of early childhood children's (60-72 months) thinking levels and preschool teachers' attitudes towards thinking education. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Çanakkale On Sekiz Mart University, Türkiye.
  • Mutlu, E., & Aktan, E. (2011). Investigation of preschool teachers' attitudes about thinking education. Turkish Journal of Educational Sciences, 9. (4), 799-830.
  • Nosich, G. M. (2016). Critical thinking and interdisciplinary critical thinking guide]. (B. Aybek, trans.), Ankara: Anı.
  • Nurjanah, N. E., Yetti, E., & Sumantri, M. S. (2024). Developing creative thinking in preschool children: A comprehensive review of innovative. European Journal of Educational Research, 13 (3), 1303-1319.
  • Oliver, B. (2016). Strategies that promote 21 st century skills. https://justaskpublications.com/just-ask-resource-center/e-newsletters/ just-for-the asking/strategies-that-promote-21st-century-skills/
  • O’Reilly, C., Devitt, A., & Hayes, N. (2022). Critical thinking in the preschool classroom – A systematic literature review, Think Skills Creat, 46, 101110, doi: 10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101110.
  • Özalp, T. A., & Durmuşoğlu, M. C. (2023). Investigation of decision-making and critical thinking skills of preschool children. Journal of Education for Life, 37 (2), 405-427. https://doi.org/10.33308/26674874.2023372548
  • Özden, Y. (2024). Learning and the teacher. Ankara: Pegem.
  • Paul, R.W. & Elder, L. (2012). Critical thinking: The nature of critical and creative thought. Journal of Developmental Education, 30, 34.
  • Pekdoğan, S. (2015). Examination of the effect of the Decision Making Skills Education Programme 5-6 year old children's decision making skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Gazi University, Türkiye.
  • Pithers, R., & Soden, R. (2000). Critical thinking in education: A review Educational Research, 42 (3), 237-249.
  • Polat, Ö., & Akay, D. (2020). A review article on philosophy education as a stimuli for early brain development. İlköğretim Online 19 (2), 1105-1115.
  • Preidyte, K. (2025). What is preschool and why ıt’s essential for early learning. https://www.hatching-dragons.com/blog/what-is-preschool-and-why-its-essential-for-early-learning
  • Robson, S., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2007). What do early childhood practitioners think about young children’s thinking? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 13 (1), 80.
  • Ruggerio, V. R. (2019). The art of thinking: A guide to critical and creative thought (10th edition). New York: Harper Collins College Publishers.
  • Saavedra, A. R., & Opfer, V. D. (2012). Teaching and learning 21 st Centruy Skills: Lessons from the Learning Sciences. https://www. aare.edu.au/data/publications/2012/Saavedra12.pdf.
  • Schallock, L. L. (2020). STEAM and habits of mind in early childhood teacher training. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. California State University, United States.
  • Seçer, Z., Sarı, H., Çeliköz, N., & Üre Ö. (2009). Investigation of cognitive styles of preschool children in terms of some variables. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 21, 407-420.
  • Sunay Tavlı, B. (2007). The survey of 6-age preschool students problem solving skills as comparatively. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Abant İzzet Baysal University, Türkiye.
  • Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Thinking styles. Newyork: Cambridge University.
  • Şahin, M. K., & Akman, B. (2018). Development of thinking skills in early childhood. Journal of National Education, 47 (218), 5-20.
  • Tchernigova, S. (1995). Puzzling boys and girls (gender differences in problem-solving in preschoolers through puzzles). Educatıonal Resources Informatıon Center,143, 90- 114.
  • Thirumurthy, V. (2003). Children's cognition of geometry and spatial reasoning: A cultural process. (ProQuest Dissertations and Theses). State University of New York, Department of Learning and Instruction. UMI Number: 3102411.
  • Walker, S., Irving, K., & Berthelsen, D. (2002). Gender influences on preschool children’s social problem-solving strategies. J. Gen. Psychol. 163, 197–209. doi: 10.1080/00221320209598677
  • Tuğrul, B. (2006). Drama as a creative process in developing thinking skills in preschool period, Creative Drama Journal, 1 (2), 99-110.
  • Uçar, A. M. (2021). Investigating the relationship between parent-child reading activities and creative thinking skills of preschool children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Necmettin Erbakan University, Türkiye.
  • Ünal, M., & Aral, N. (2014). Investigation of the effect of the education program based on the experimental method on the problem-solving skills of 6-year-old children. Education and Science, 39 (176), 279-291
  • Ünal Demir (2023). Investigation of thinking styles of parents of preschool children and children's thinking skills. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Gazi University, Türkiye.
  • Yang, W., Liang, L., Xiang, S., & Yeter, I. H. (2025). Making a makerspace in early childhood education: Effects on children’s STEM thinking skills and emotional development. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 56, Article 101754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101754
  • Yavuzer, H. (2017). Parent school. (21. Basım). Istanbul: Remzi.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2018). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. İstanbul: Seçkin.
  • Yıldız, C., & Karaman, N. G. (2017). Creativity and perspective taking in early childhood period. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 50 (2), 33 58.
  • Yumurtacı, M., & Özbey, S. (2024). Preschool children's motivation levels: the predictive effect of creative thinking skills. International Journal of Education and Welfare, 2 (2), 161–183. https://doi.org/10.62416/ijwb-51
  • Vincent-Lancrin, S., Gonzalez-Sancho, C., Bouckaert, M., de Luca, F., Fernández-Barrerra, M., Jacotin, G., . . . Vidal, Q. (2019). Fostering students’ creativity and critical thinking: What it means in school. Educational Research and Innovation, OECD Publishing. https://doi. org/10.1787/62212c37-en

Okul Öncesi Eğitim Alan Çocukların Düşünme Becerilerinin İncelenmesi

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 120 - 135, 28.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.29065/usakead.1686508

Abstract

Çalışma, okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının düşünme becerilerini çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Toplam 146 çocuk çalışma grubunu oluşturmuştur. Çalışma grubunun belirlenmesinde kolay ulaşılabilir örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak çocukların düşünme becerilerini ölçmek amacıyla “Erken Çocukluk Dönemindeki (60-72 Ay) Çocuklar İçin Düşünme Ölçeği”, çocukların ve ebeveynlerin demografik özelliklerine ilişkin bilgileri içeren kişisel bilgi formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen verilerin analizinde bir veri analiz programı kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve gruplar arası farklılıklar için Tukey-B çoklu karşılaştırma testi kullanılmıştır. Cinsiyet değişkenine göre çocuğa yönelik düşünce ölçeğinin tüm alt boyutlarında anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmamıştır. Anne eğitim düzeyine göre çocuğa yönelik düşünce ölçeğinin benzetme, sınıflandırma, yönergeleri takip etme ve bilgi alt boyutlarında anlamlı bir fark bulunurken; diğer alt boyutlarda anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Baba eğitim düzeyine göre benzetme, sınıflandırma, benzerlikler, farklılıklar, sıralama ve bilgi boyutlarında anlamlı bir fark bulunurken; diğer alt boyutlarda anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır.

References

  • Akar Gençer, A. (2014). Examining the effect of reggio emilia based projects on creative thinking skills of kindergarten children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Hacettepe University, Türkiye.
  • Akyol, T. (2021). Examining the relationship between parental attitudes and preschool children's decision-making skills. Dialectologist International Journal of Social Sciences 26, 73-93.
  • Arıcı, S. (2019). Examining the relationship between authenticity levels of parents of preschool children and their children's creativity. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Ege University, Türkiye.
  • Aubrey, C., Ghent, K., & Kanira, E. (2012). Enhancing thinking skills in early childhood. International Journal of Early Years Education, 20 (4), 332-348. doi: 10.1080/09669760.2012.743102
  • Aydemir Özalp, T., & Durmuşoğlu, M. C. (2023). Investigation of decision-making and critical thinking skills of preschool children. Journal of Education for Life, 37 (2), 405-427. https://doi.org/10.33308/26674874.2023372548
  • Başarer, D. (2021). Thinking training. Ankara: Pegem.
  • Bayraktar, V. (2016). Definition and importance of preschool education. F. Alisinanoğlu and V. Bayraktar (Ed.), Introduction to preschool education. (1-12). Ankara: Vize
  • Bayraktar, V., & Özçelik Öğretir, D. (2019, Nowember, 15-17). Examination of the maternal attitudes perceived by children aged 9-17. In International Symposium on Academic Studies in Educational and Social Sciences (ISES). Ankara, Turkey
  • Bilgiç, E. (2010). Comparison of thinking styles of primary school administrators and teachers. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Niğde University, Türkiye.
  • Buluş, M. (2000). Attributional complexity, thinking styles and preference for cognitive consistency in relation to some psychosocial characteristics and academic achievement in student teachers. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye.
  • Buluş, M. (2005). The Investigation of the Thinking Styles Profile of Students in the Department of Elementary Education. Ege Journal of Education, 6(1), 1-24.
  • Butterworth, J., & Thwaites, G. (2013). Thinking skills: Critical thinking and problem solving ( 2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Can Yaşar, M., & Aral, N. (2010). The effect of preschool education on creative thinking skills. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 3 (2), 201-209.
  • Can Yaşar, M., & Aral, N. (2011). Examining the effect of socio-economic level and parental education level on creative thinking skills of six-year-old children. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 4 (1), 137-145.
  • Caynak, S. (2024). The effect of kitchen skills training on creativity levels of preschool children. [Master’s thesis, Karatay University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center.
  • Cano-Garcia, F., & Hughes, E. H. (2000). Learning and thinking styles: An analysis of their interrelationship and influence an academic achievement. Educational Psychology, 20 (4), 413-430.
  • Chua Yan Piaw, C. (2014). Effects of gender and thinking style on student's creative thinking ability. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 116, 5135-5139.
  • Çeliköz, N. (2017). Investigation of creativity levels of preschool children aged 5-6 years. Yıldız Journal of Educational Research, 2 (1), 1-25.
  • Çubukçu, Z. (2004). Determination of pre-service teachers' thinking styles. Trakya University Journal of Social Science, 5 (2), 87-106.
  • Dağlıoğlu, H. E., & Çakır, F. (2007). Developing planning and deep thinking among thinking skills in early childhood. Education and Science,32 (144), 28-35.
  • Dilshod, M. (2019). Improvement of ability and creativity in pre-school children. International Journal of Recent Technology and engineering 8 (3 S), 220-222
  • Durmuşoğlu, M. C., & Yıldız- Taşdemir, C. (2022). Determining the parent education preferences and needs of parents with children in preschool education institutions in Turkey. Theory and Practice in Child Development, 2 (1), 1-21.
  • Ennis, R. (2011). Reflection and perspective. Part II Inquiry 26 (2), 5-20
  • Ergen, Z. G., & Akyol, A. K. (2012). Investigating the creativity of children attending kindergarten. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science,5 (2), 156-170.
  • Erşahin Şafak, N. (2016). Investigation of the relationship between temperament characteristics, receptive language and attention skills of preschool children, [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Beykent University, Türkiye.
  • Ezmeci, F., & Akman, B. (2016). Thinking skills in early childhood reggio emilia approach and high/scope program. International Journal of Early Childhood Education Studies, 1 (1), 1-13.
  • Facione, P. (1990). The california critical thinking skills test: College level. California Academic Press, Millbrae, CA.
  • Fisher, R. (2013). Teaching thinking: Philosophical enquiry in the classroom (kindle edition). USA: Blooms.
  • Fraenkel, R. J., & Wallen, E. N. (2009). How to design and evaluate research in education. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Gander, M., & Gardiner, H. (2015). Child and adolescent development. B. Onur (Çev.), Ankara: İmge.
  • Gök Çolak, F. (2021). Developing a spatial thinking skills test for preschool children and examining children's spatial thinking skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Marmara University, Türkiye.
  • Gökmen, A. (2017). Investigation of creative problem-solving skills in 60–84-month-old children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Istanbul Aydın University, Türkiye.
  • Güneş, F. (2012). Developing students' thinking skills. Journal of Turkology Research, (32), 127-146.
  • Heyes,C. (2012). New thinking: The evolution of human cognition. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B, Biol. Sci., 367, 1599, 2091–2096, Aug. 2012, doi: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0111.
  • Johonson, D.W., & Johnson, R. T. (2010). Cooperative learning and conflict resolution: Essential 21st century skills. Eds (James Bellanca and Ron Brandt) 21st century skills: rethinking how students learn. (s.201-219). Bloomington: Solution Tree Press.
  • Kanaki, K., & Kalogiannakis, M. (2022). Assessing algorithmic thinking skills in relation to gender in early childhood. Educational Process: International Journal, 11 (2), 44-59.
  • Kanlıpıçak, B. (2022). The effect of thinking skills development practices on preschool children's thinking skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Ankara University, Türkiye.
  • Karasan, S. (2015). They showed their parents the parents of i̇ndividuals with attitude owned relationship between thinking style. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Istanbul Haliç University, Türkiye.
  • Karasar, N. (2019). Scientific research method. Ankara: Nobel.
  • Karabörklü Ilgın, G. (2024). Investigation of preservice preschool teachers' positive thinking skills and metacognitive thinking skills in terms of various variables. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Mehmet Akif University, Türkiye.
  • Karadağ, F., Yıldız Demirtaş, F., & Yıldız, T. (2017). Development of a scale for the assessment of critical thinking through philosophical inquiry for 5-6 year old children. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences ,9 (4), 1025-1037.
  • Kefeli, İ., & Kara, U. (2008). The development of philosophical and critical thinking in children. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 41 (1), 339-357. http://dergiler.ankara.edu.tr/dergiler/40/154/1159.pdf
  • Levine, S. C., Ratliff, K. R., Huttenlocher, J., & Cannon, J. (2012). Early puzzle play: a predictor of preschoolers' spatial transformation skill. Developmental Psychology, 48 (2), 530.
  • Lewis, A., & Smith, D. (1993). Defining higher order thinking. Theory Into Practice, 32 (3), 131-137. doi:10.1080/00405849309543588
  • Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2024). Preschool education program. General Directorate of Basic Education, Ankara
  • Mutlu, E. (2010). Investigation of early childhood children's (60-72 months) thinking levels and preschool teachers' attitudes towards thinking education. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Çanakkale On Sekiz Mart University, Türkiye.
  • Mutlu, E., & Aktan, E. (2011). Investigation of preschool teachers' attitudes about thinking education. Turkish Journal of Educational Sciences, 9. (4), 799-830.
  • Nosich, G. M. (2016). Critical thinking and interdisciplinary critical thinking guide]. (B. Aybek, trans.), Ankara: Anı.
  • Nurjanah, N. E., Yetti, E., & Sumantri, M. S. (2024). Developing creative thinking in preschool children: A comprehensive review of innovative. European Journal of Educational Research, 13 (3), 1303-1319.
  • Oliver, B. (2016). Strategies that promote 21 st century skills. https://justaskpublications.com/just-ask-resource-center/e-newsletters/ just-for-the asking/strategies-that-promote-21st-century-skills/
  • O’Reilly, C., Devitt, A., & Hayes, N. (2022). Critical thinking in the preschool classroom – A systematic literature review, Think Skills Creat, 46, 101110, doi: 10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101110.
  • Özalp, T. A., & Durmuşoğlu, M. C. (2023). Investigation of decision-making and critical thinking skills of preschool children. Journal of Education for Life, 37 (2), 405-427. https://doi.org/10.33308/26674874.2023372548
  • Özden, Y. (2024). Learning and the teacher. Ankara: Pegem.
  • Paul, R.W. & Elder, L. (2012). Critical thinking: The nature of critical and creative thought. Journal of Developmental Education, 30, 34.
  • Pekdoğan, S. (2015). Examination of the effect of the Decision Making Skills Education Programme 5-6 year old children's decision making skills. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. Gazi University, Türkiye.
  • Pithers, R., & Soden, R. (2000). Critical thinking in education: A review Educational Research, 42 (3), 237-249.
  • Polat, Ö., & Akay, D. (2020). A review article on philosophy education as a stimuli for early brain development. İlköğretim Online 19 (2), 1105-1115.
  • Preidyte, K. (2025). What is preschool and why ıt’s essential for early learning. https://www.hatching-dragons.com/blog/what-is-preschool-and-why-its-essential-for-early-learning
  • Robson, S., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2007). What do early childhood practitioners think about young children’s thinking? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 13 (1), 80.
  • Ruggerio, V. R. (2019). The art of thinking: A guide to critical and creative thought (10th edition). New York: Harper Collins College Publishers.
  • Saavedra, A. R., & Opfer, V. D. (2012). Teaching and learning 21 st Centruy Skills: Lessons from the Learning Sciences. https://www. aare.edu.au/data/publications/2012/Saavedra12.pdf.
  • Schallock, L. L. (2020). STEAM and habits of mind in early childhood teacher training. [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. California State University, United States.
  • Seçer, Z., Sarı, H., Çeliköz, N., & Üre Ö. (2009). Investigation of cognitive styles of preschool children in terms of some variables. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 21, 407-420.
  • Sunay Tavlı, B. (2007). The survey of 6-age preschool students problem solving skills as comparatively. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Abant İzzet Baysal University, Türkiye.
  • Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Thinking styles. Newyork: Cambridge University.
  • Şahin, M. K., & Akman, B. (2018). Development of thinking skills in early childhood. Journal of National Education, 47 (218), 5-20.
  • Tchernigova, S. (1995). Puzzling boys and girls (gender differences in problem-solving in preschoolers through puzzles). Educatıonal Resources Informatıon Center,143, 90- 114.
  • Thirumurthy, V. (2003). Children's cognition of geometry and spatial reasoning: A cultural process. (ProQuest Dissertations and Theses). State University of New York, Department of Learning and Instruction. UMI Number: 3102411.
  • Walker, S., Irving, K., & Berthelsen, D. (2002). Gender influences on preschool children’s social problem-solving strategies. J. Gen. Psychol. 163, 197–209. doi: 10.1080/00221320209598677
  • Tuğrul, B. (2006). Drama as a creative process in developing thinking skills in preschool period, Creative Drama Journal, 1 (2), 99-110.
  • Uçar, A. M. (2021). Investigating the relationship between parent-child reading activities and creative thinking skills of preschool children. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Necmettin Erbakan University, Türkiye.
  • Ünal, M., & Aral, N. (2014). Investigation of the effect of the education program based on the experimental method on the problem-solving skills of 6-year-old children. Education and Science, 39 (176), 279-291
  • Ünal Demir (2023). Investigation of thinking styles of parents of preschool children and children's thinking skills. [Unpublished master’s thesis,]. Gazi University, Türkiye.
  • Yang, W., Liang, L., Xiang, S., & Yeter, I. H. (2025). Making a makerspace in early childhood education: Effects on children’s STEM thinking skills and emotional development. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 56, Article 101754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101754
  • Yavuzer, H. (2017). Parent school. (21. Basım). Istanbul: Remzi.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2018). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. İstanbul: Seçkin.
  • Yıldız, C., & Karaman, N. G. (2017). Creativity and perspective taking in early childhood period. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 50 (2), 33 58.
  • Yumurtacı, M., & Özbey, S. (2024). Preschool children's motivation levels: the predictive effect of creative thinking skills. International Journal of Education and Welfare, 2 (2), 161–183. https://doi.org/10.62416/ijwb-51
  • Vincent-Lancrin, S., Gonzalez-Sancho, C., Bouckaert, M., de Luca, F., Fernández-Barrerra, M., Jacotin, G., . . . Vidal, Q. (2019). Fostering students’ creativity and critical thinking: What it means in school. Educational Research and Innovation, OECD Publishing. https://doi. org/10.1787/62212c37-en
There are 79 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Early Childhood Education
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Dilek Ünal Demir 0000-0002-3656-9122

Vedat Bayraktar 0000-0003-1076-4736

Early Pub Date August 28, 2025
Publication Date August 28, 2025
Submission Date April 29, 2025
Acceptance Date August 20, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Ünal Demir, D., & Bayraktar, V. (2025). Investigation of Thinking Styles of Preschool Children. Uşak Üniversitesi Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(2), 120-135. https://doi.org/10.29065/usakead.1686508

open-access-logo-png-transparent.png   by.png    wilson-1024x270.png

Articles published in the Usak University Journal of Educational Research are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).