The effect of game-based activities on the development of astronomy concepts in children in early childhood

This study investigated the effect of game-based activities used in early childhood on the development of astronomy concepts in children. A case study was used in the research. 25 pre-school students, who were determined by the appropriate sampling method, participated in the research. During the research process, 8 different astronomy activities were carried out. Material evaluation competency rubric, field and open-ended questions were used as data collection tools in the research. The research covers a period of 8 weeks in total. The research data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods. In addition, some of the qualitative data obtained were interpreted using descriptive statistics techniques. When the research results were examined, it was determined that the students in early childhood positively understood the concepts of the field of astronomy. In particular, the producing of some materials by the students themselves was very effective in the development of the concept and paved the way for the intensity of the questions by the students and their understanding of the subject. It is recommended that game-based activities carried out in early childhood should be used more intensively in science education and astronomy education.