Examining the use of picture books in preschool education institutions

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the use of picture books in preschool classes. Case Study, a qualitative research method, was employed as the research method. The data were collected through video recording, semi-structured interviews, and documents. They were analyzed by means of document and descriptive analysis techniques. The research findings revealed that the books in the classes were generally composed of the picture books in the form of series and fairy tale books. Teachers participating in this study thought that books were not sufficient in most classes and that in addition to the books present in the classes, there should be more books related to science. The research findings showed that when children are read informative picture books, they display more distracted behavior compared to when narrative picture books are read. However, when examined in general, distracted behavior by children while the teacher reads were understood to be associated more with the strategies that the teacher uses while reading. The most remarkable finding of the study was that the teachers made a limited eye contact with the children while story reading, they did not adjust their tones according to the characters and carry out an activity except asking questions about the story in the post-story reading process.