The Effects of Family-Based Literacy Preparation Program on Children's Literacy Preparation Skills

In accordance with characteristics of pre-school children's development, families' interest, need, and expectations, and preschool education and elementary programs, it was aimed to determine the effects of family-based literacy preparation program on children's literacy preparation skills. In the current study, an experimental design with pre/post tests and a control group was used in order to reveal the effectiveness of the Family-Based Literacy Preparation Program. The independent variable in the current study conducted in a 3x3 (three groups: experiment, placebo, and control groups, with 3 measurements: pretest, posttest, and follow-up test) experimental research design was the Family Based Literacy Preparation Program. The dependent variable in the current study was children's literacy preparation skills. Families in the experiment group received a 23-session treatment. Seminars for a period of 20 weeks were organized for the placebo group and the control group did not receive any treatment. The study group in the current research was selected from among the children attending kindergarten within a public elementary school in Etimesgut, Ankara, Turkey, during 2012-2013 academic years, and their families. In order to obtain data on the effects of applied Family Based Literacy Preparation Program on children's literacy preparation skills, Phonological Awareness Scale, Vocabulary and Writing Awareness Scale, Turkish Expressive and Recipient Language Skills Test (TIFALDI), and Frostig Visual Perception Test were used. In the current research, covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was conducted in order to define the effects of Family-Based Literacy Preparation Program on children's early literacy skills. Results of the follow-up test were analyzed through t-test. When the permanence of program effect on children's literacy preparation skills was examined, it was observed that Family Based Literacy Preparation Program was effective on the development of children's sound awareness, visual perception, vocabulary, expressive and recipient language skills and this was a long-term effect.WoSScopu

The Views Of Teachers And Managers About Art, Music And Drama Activities Carried Out By In-Field-Teachers In Early Childhood Education Institutions

The purpose of this research is to examine the views of teachers and managers about art, music and drama activities that are carried out by in-field-teachers in early childhood education institutions. In the line of this purpose, semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used for one to one interviews. Quantitative research techniques were used in order to examine the results of the research. Results show that the managers, early childhood educators and in-field-teachers have both positive and negative ideas about field courses which are carried out by the in-field-teachers. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin UzunboyluWo

Investigation of Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions about Concept of Measurement and Assessment Through Metaphor Analysis

The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of the pre-service elementary and preschool teachers concerning the concept of measurement and assessment through metaphor analysis. For this study, pre-service elementary and preschool teachers were interviewed. Qualitative research technique was used to obtain, analyze and interpret data. Metaphors were used in data acquisition. The findings of the study indicate that the pre-service elementary and preschool teachers have a negative perception of measurement and assessment. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin UzunboyluWo