Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine the initial literacy skills of primary school pupils’ from the ecological perspective and social capital theory. The data were collected from 304 first graders from three public elementary schools in İstanbul (1 in Kadıköy and 2 in Ümraniye) during the 2007-2008 academic year. The study was conducted with a survey design. For data collection, following literacy skill scales which were developed by the researcher were used, namely, listening skill, reading skill, dictation and writing skills, comprehension (vocal), comprehension (syllable), comprehension (word), comprehension (sentence), comprehension (text-paragraph), punctuation and spelling and visual reading. A student-family questionnaire was also used to collect background information about students and their families. Notable results of the study are as follows: (a) The higher the mother’s education the higher were the literacy skill scale scores of the students. (b) The higher the father’s education the higher were the literacy skill scale scores of the students. (c) The higher the economical level, the higher were the literacy skill scale scores of the students. (d) The better the socio-cultural environment of the students’ school gets, the higher their literacy skill scale scores get. The results of the study were discussed within the framework of theoretical structure and previous research. Key words: First grade, initial literacy, social capital theory, ecological perspective

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