Abstract:

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of the Philosophical Thinking-Based Early Literacy Program (PATİKEP), which was developed as a family education and professional development program, on the home literacy environment and the opinions of teachers on their professional development. The research was designed with the convergent parallel design approach among mixed methods research methods.In the quantitative aspect of the study, the PATİKEP family education program, developed for 1463 parents whose children attend pre-school education in 53 provinces, was applied for 28 weeks. Home literacy environments of families were evaluated by applying validity and reliability studies.The home literacy environments of the families were evaluated by applying the Home Literacy Environment Checklist (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2019. In the qualitative aspect, the PATİKEP professional development program was applied to 211 preschool teachers from 53 provinces for 28 weeks, and the views of teachers on their professional competencies to support philosophical thinking-based early literacy skills in children were examined through interview forms.In the analysis of quantitative data, t-test was performed for two independent variables according to normality distributions, and one-way analysis of variance was performed for more than two variables. Content analysis was used in the analysis of qualitative data.According to the results obtained, it was found that PATIKEP had positive effects on home literacy. In the study, it was also concluded that the scores of parents with lower income levels regarding home literacy environments were lower than those of parents with middle and upper income levels. Preschool teachers stated that their professional competencies have developed to support philosophical thinking-based early literacy skills in children. Teachers stated that their awareness of early literacy skills increased, they started reading with the dialogic book reading technique, they started to prepare before reading, they started asking open-ended and creative questions, and they chatted more with children. Families gave feedback to teachers that they were pleased to have a library in their home. It is recommended that philosophical thinking-based early literacy skills should be supported in preschool education programs, family education programs and in-service training programs.

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