Analyzing efficiency of two different methods involving acquisition of operational skills by preschool children

Abstract

This study, an education program was developed to improve addition-subtraction skills of 6-year old children using educational toys and smart boards. The program was implemented with children, and its effects on their operational skills were analysed. The study group of the research is composed of 90 children who attended preschool classes in Konya during the 2011-2012 academic year; 30 of them (13 females and 17 males) attended an educational program using smart boards, 30 of them (16 females and 14 males) attended a program using educational toys and 30 of them attended an educational program using traditional methods. The results of the study suggest that children acquire operational skills at a higher degree through using the smart boards and educational toys methods when compared to traditional teaching. On the other hand, there is no meaningful difference between the smart boards and educational toys methods in terms of acquiring addition skills. Yet, in terms of acquisition of subtraction skills, there is a meaningful difference in favour of the educational toys method.