Abstract:

This research, which was conducted to examine the relationship between preschool children's early thinking skills and independent learning behaviors, was designed in a predictive correlational research design, one of the quantitative research designs. The study group of the study consists of 322 children aged 48-71 months who continue their pre-school education in the 2019-2020 academic year in Turkey. Early Thinking Skills Scale and Independent Learning Behaviors Scale (3-5) were used as data collection tools in the study. The descriptive statistics results of the research group were examined and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the variables. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to determine whether the sub-dimensions of the early thinking skills scale and gender predict children's independent learning behaviors. As a result of the research, it is seen that there is a high level and positive significant relationship between critical thinking, creative thinking and problem solving decision making skills and independent learning behaviors. In other words, as critical thinking, creative thinking and problem solving-decision making skills increase, independent learning behaviors also increase. In addition, it was found that the critical thinking, creative thinking and problem solving-decision-making skills of girls and boys differed significantly in favor of boys on independent learning behaviors.

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