Play tendency and prosociality in early childhood

ABSTRACT

This study examines preschool children's play tendency and their prosocial behavior. The screening method was used in the study, and it was carried out with a total of 319 four- to six-year-old children who attended state kindergartens. “Children's Playfulness Scale” and “Child Prosocialness Scale” were used as data collection tools. According to the results, no significant difference was found in the play tendency and prosocial behavior scores in relation with gender and parent's employment status. However, a significant difference was found in the play tendency and prosocial behavior scores in relation with age and family income. In terms of the number of siblings, while there was no significant difference in prosocial behavior scores, a significant difference was found in the play tendency. A significant positive relationship was found between the play tendency and prosocial behavior scores. The findings are discussed with regard to the relevant literature.

KEYWORDS:

• Play tendencies
• prosocial behavior
• early childhood
• education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samet Ata

Samet Ata graduated from the Agri Ibrahim Cecen University department of preschool education in Ağrı in 2015. He completed Child Development master degree education at Hacettepe University, in 2019. He is a Ph. D. candidate at Hacettepe University in the Department of Child Development. He is working as a Research Assistant at the Agri Ibrahim Cecen University in Preschool Department.

Bilal Macun

Bilal Macun graduated from Giresun University Preschool Education Department in 2014. He has been working as a research assistant at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Department of Primary Education, Department of Preschool Education since 2016. In 2018, he completed his master's degree at Gazi University, Department of Preschool Education. He still continues his doctorate education at Gazi University, Department of Preschool Education.