Abstract:

In this research, by evaluating whether the cognitive developmental characteristics which were predicted in the 2006 Pre‐School Education Programme reflect the factors, the level of cognitive development of 36‐48 month‐old children was investigated. The research was figured using the Survey Method. The sample of the research consisted of 53 children in the centre of Kütahya in the 2009‐2010 academic year. Data was collected by The Cognitive Development Evaluation Form (CDEF) and Personal Information Form. The purpose of observing the relationship between groups of two or over in the data analysis, t‐test, ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis H‐test were used. According to the findings: the scores obtained by participants as a result of first and second application of CDEF did not vary according to gender, type of school attending, and period of attending pre‐school education institution, the age of mother, work status of mother, the age of father, educational status of father, number of siblings that they have, birth order in the family, and the economical status variable. Scores obtained from first and second application of CDEF did not vary with the education status of mother in first application but did vary in the second application. There are significant differences in the scores of participants between the first application and the second application, as well.

Keywords: