Examination of inference skills of children ages 5-6

The target of this research is to examine inference skills of children between the age of 5-6, and to observe their skill improvement in six-month period process. The participants of the scanning model/screening model are the preschool students between the ages of 5-6 who study at different schools. As a data collection tool, we used coequal 'Inference Achievement Tests' based on two different juvenile books of the same author. The tests are created by preparing open-ended questions from two different juvenile books based on Chikalanga's (1992) inference classification. In the determination of inference-based questions, juvenile books are used according to the suitable level of the participants. During the data collection process, questions were asked by using face to face interviews with the participants. The responses of the participants were recorded in the audio format and converted into written format. In the end of six-month period, the second Inference Achievement Test was applied in a similar way. The responses of the children were evaluated by two experts and transferred into the statistics program. The inference skill levels of the participants were examined by depending on the inference types and the variables of age, gender, socioeconomic status, parental education level, and the number of children in the family. As a result, according to the findings obtained, it is determined that more than half of the participants could make inferences in the first application, and observed that the inference success levels in the second application are increased. As Inference Skill can be considered the basis of meaning imposition, It is recommended to carry out activities for the development of children in the preschool period, in which the rapid process of child development.