THE IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY-BASED EDUCATION METHOD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN CHILDREN: CASE OF KONYA

Abstract

This study was conducted to find an answer to the question "What is the effect of philosophy-based activities with preschool children on critical thinking skills?". This study was conducted to find an answer to the question "What is the effect of philosophy-based activities on critical thinking skills in preschool children?". Philosophy activities with children reveal the importance of supporting children's critical thinking by developing their questioning skills. The questions children ask such as " Why questions?" are actually the beginning of philosophical thinking. By organizing philosophy activities for children and blending their innate curiosity and desire to explore philosophy, children will become innovative adults who have more different perspectives and can think effectively in the future. The study group of research consisted of 500 preschool students randomly selected from 31 districts of Konya province in the 2021-2022 academic year. The research is a quantitative and experimental study. In this case, the "Assessment of Critical Thinking through Philosophical Inquiry for Children" scale was applied as a pre-test and post-test. The Importance of Philosophy-Based Education Method in the Development of Critical Thinking Skills in Children: Konya Case Study, story-based philosophical inquiry plans were prepared in Turkish language activities in preschool education classes. These plans were implemented as integrated activities. In the analysis of the answers given to the dimensions of philosophical inquiry, language and cognitive skills, and question formation with the "Evaluation of Critical Thinking through Philosophical Inquiry for Children" scale used before and after the application, it was determined that the results showed significant differences. It has been observed that being able to do philosophy activities that support critical thinking with texts, story books or visuals to be read by adults in the preschool period improves children's critical thinking skills. At the end of the study, it was revealed that story-based philosophical inquiry in preschool education is a useful method that can be used to develop students' critical thinking skills in Turkish activities.