Reviewing science and nature activities of preschool teachers

Abstract

Science and nature is very important during preschool period. The purpose of this research is to take teacher opinions regarding preschool science and nature practices. The research sample consists of 61 preschools teachers in Amasya central province. Survey and interviews forms were prepared for data collecting purposes. In the research, it was determined that physical environments in preschool institutes are not adequate for science-nature activities and experiment, fieldtrip-observation and drama are the most common method used by the teachers. Furthermore, it was understood that the teacher are aware of the importance of science education and its attainments for children, but they have difficulties in preparing activities due to reasons such as materials deficiency, inability to reduce goals and achievements of the program to the level of the group. It was founded that there were significant difference between performance figures of preschool teaching faculty graduates and child development department graduates of high schools and among teachers on the basis of age groups, but there was no significant difference between performance figures of part-time and full time teachers. It was concluded that teachers require support and improvement for in-service education and preschool science and nature education.