Concepts of vegetable and fruit in preschool and elementary education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the way the concepts of fruit and vegetable are presented in teaching materials, used in preschool education and in the textbooks of life sciences and science and technology courses in elementary education, in addition to the students and teachers’ knowledge and opinions related to these concepts. Qualitative research techniques were used in this study. The sample of the study comprises the students receiving education in preschool and elementary education and the teachers serving at these levels. 258 students and 83 teachers took part in this study. A survey, which was developed by the researcher, including two forms, was administered. Teaching materials in preschool education and course books in elementary education were also used as data sources. When the research fndings are considered, it stands out that these concepts have diferent defnitions in diferent felds and thus, they have no common defnitions. This situation seems to have been refected in the teaching materials used both in preschool and elementary education. Also, it is seen that there are important diferences between teachers’ opinions about these concepts.