Abstract:

This research was carried out to determine the thoughts of preschool children aged 4-6 about global warming. The phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the research. The study group of the research consists of 25 children between the ages of 4-6 who continue their pre-school education. The data of the research were collected with the interview form consisting of semi-structured interview questions and the drawings of the children. The obtained data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. According to the findings of the study, children emphasized human-induced causes such as unconscious use of resources and air pollution among the causes of global warming. There were also those who stated that the causes of global warming are of natural origin. Children evaluated the consequences of global warming negatively and mostly mentioned the negative effects on living things. According to children, global warming has the most negative impact on animals. In addition, humans and plants are also creatures that suffer from global warming. Fewer children have expressed the effects of global warming on the environment. It has been revealed that children mostly express suggestions for conscious use of resources such as water saving, electricity saving and limiting the use of coal/wood in their suggestions for the prevention of global warming. The children also made suggestions to protect the environment. As a result, it has been seen that children have logical thoughts about global warming. The findings of the research were discussed and suggestions were made.

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