Abstract:

The objective of the study is to identify the views of preschool pre-service teachers on gifted children. Sample of the study included 57 pre-service preschool teachers attending Fırat University Faculty of Education. Qualitative research method was utilized in the present study. Data collection tools was a semi-structured interview form developed to identify views on gifted children by the authors. Content analysis on obtained data was conducted to describe the views of pre-service preschool teachers that participated in the study on gifted children. Results demonstrated that pre-service teachers had general knowledge on the identity of gifted children. Pre-service teachers stated that gifted children were significantly different than other children vis a vis certain characteristics. To develop the skills of these children, they argued that a different curriculum should be implemented and the teachers that would instruct that curriculum should be trained in a specialized education and possess adequate knowledge about gifted children. Pre-service teachers stipulated that it would be better to identify gifted children as earliest as possible, and thus, preschool period is the most appropriate time to identify the gifted children.

Keywords: