Exploring Knowledge, Perceptions, and Observable Behaviors Related to Scientific Creativity in Early Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge, perceptions, and observable behaviors of 60–72-month-old children attending preschool regarding scientific creativity. In the study, which was conducted using a basic qualitative research design, data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and a "Scientific Creativity Observation Form" prepared by the researchers. The study group consisted of 12 children aged 60-72 months attending a preschool during the 2023-2024 academic year. The data were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. According to observation findings, it was determined that children demonstrated behaviors related to problem solving, domain knowledge, scientific inquiry, and creative thinking components. However, indicators related to higher-order cognitive skills such as making connections, hypothesizing, reasoning, and information gathering were found to be limited. Interview findings revealed that most children had difficulty describing activities related to science, creativity, and scientific creativity; however, they were able to make limited inferences about scientific creativity. The results indicate that the components of scientific creativity are observable, but there is a need to include learning experiences that support these components more frequently in educational settings. Accordingly, it is recommended that future studies be conducted with different age groups and using different methods to support the development of scientific creativity in early childhood.

Keywords

• Scientific creativity
• Preschool
• Problem solving
• Scientific inquiry
• Creative thinking

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

Ethical Statement

This research was approved by the Necmettin Erbakan University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Acceptance Date: 08-2023/299, Date: 14.07.2023).

Erken Çocuklukta Bilimsel Yaratıcılığa İlişkin Bilgi, Algı ve Gözlemlenebilir Davranışların İncelenmesi

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı, okul öncesi eğitime devam eden 60-72 aylık çocukların bilimsel yaratıcılığa ilişkin bilgi, algı ve gözlemlenebilir davranışlarını incelemektir. Temel nitel araştırma deseninde yapılan çalışmada veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ve “Bilimsel Yaratıcılık Gözlem Formu” kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Çalışma grubunu 2023-2024 eğitim öğretim yılında okul öncesi eğitim kurumuna devam eden 60-72 aylık 12 çocuk oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma verileri betimsel analiz yöntemi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Gözlem bulgularına göre çocukların problem çözme, alan bilgisi, bilimsel sorgulama ve yaratıcı düşünme bileşenlerine yönelik davranışlar sergiledikleri belirlenmiştir. Ancak ileri düzey bilişsel becerilere yönelik ilişki kurma, hipotez, akıl yürütme, bilgi toplama gibi göstergelerin sınırlı düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Görüşmeler sonucunda çocukların büyük çoğunluğunun bilim, yaratıcılık ve bilimsel yaratıcılığa yönelik etkinlikleri tanımlamakta zorlandıkları; ancak bilimsel yaratıcılığa ait çıkarımlarda bulundukları görülmüştür. Sonuçlar, bilimsel yaratıcılığa ait bileşenlerin gözlemlenebilir olduğunu ve bilimsel yaratıcılığın bileşenlerini destekleyecek öğrenme deneyimlerine daha fazla yer verilmesi gerektiğini göstermektedir. Bu doğrultuda, erken yıllarda bilimsel yaratıcılığın gelişimini desteklemek için farklı yaş gruplarıyla farklı yöntemlerde çalışmaların yapılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Bilimsel yaratıcılık
• Okul öncesi dönem
• problem çözme
• bilimsel sorgulama
• yaratıcı düşünme

Supporting Institution

Yazarlar bu çalışmanın herhangi bir finansal destek almadığını beyan etmişlerdir.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, etik standartlara uygun şekilde ve Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Sosyal Ve Beşeri Bilimler Bilimsel Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu 14/07/2023 tarih ve 08-2023/299 sayı kararı ile etik izin alınarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.

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