The methods applied by pre-school teachers to raise the curiosity of children and their views

Abstract

Sema Büyüktaşkapu Soydan* and Filiz Erbay

The purpose of this study is to determine the strategies used by pre-school teachers in order to raise curiosity in children. Based on this aim, sample is composed of 52 pre-school teachers working in kindergartens affiliated to Ministry of National Education. Study data were collected via qualitative research methods. Research data were gathered in face to face manner by asking questions to teachers in a semi-structured interview form developed by researchers. Teachers were asked open-ended questions in which activities and methods they try to evoke curiosity; which subjects/activities most easily and hardly arouse curiosity; their self-perception of competency in provoking curiosity. As a result of this study, techniques used by teachers for provoking curiosity were identified and suggestions were made regarding the process of curiosity arousal in children.