The Effect of Creative Drama-based Activities on Acquisition of Values by 5-Year-Olds

Abstract

Values education is central to early childhood education. However, it rarely provides real-life opportunities to engage students. This study investigates the effect of creative drama in acquisition of values by preschoolers. Experimental design with a pre-post-test control group was used. The study group consisted of 44 children aged 5 to 5 ½ attending a public kindergarten in Turkey. For data collection, the Pre-School Values Scale Teacher Form, Parents Form, Student Form, and a Personal Information Form, and observations were used. Quantiative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, the Mann Whitney U Test, and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. There was a significant difference in both groups, with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group in the post-test. In teaching of values to preschool children, the activities based on creative drama proved more effective than the activities provided in the curriculum.