An investigation of the effect of educational activities designed to improve the speaking skills of 5–6-year-old children on their speaking and communication skills

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of educational activities designed to improve the speaking skills of 5–6-year-old children in the preschool period on their speaking and communication skills. The research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test control group, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The study group consisted of children aged 5–6 who were attending preschool education. The experimental group received the "Speaking Skills Educational Activities" developed by the researcher, while the control group continued their education based on the standard school curriculum. As data collection tools, a rubric developed to comprehensively assess children's speaking skills and a communication skills scale were used. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical analysis methods. According to the research findings, the children in the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement in their speaking skills compared to those in the control group. Notably, positive developments were observed in sub-skills such as vocabulary, sentence formation, tone of voice usage, fluency, pronunciation, and the use of gestures and facial expressions. These findings reveal that a structured and systematic speaking skills education significantly contributes to the development of speaking and communication skills in preschool children.